University of California, Merced
PA-14: Wellness Program

• Employee Assistance Program – UC Merced partners with Insight EAP. This is a free employee benefit. Highlights are provided below:
o Employees and household dependents have access to 3 counseling sessions every 6 months with a licensed professional to assist with work/life concerns. All services are private and confidential.
o Employees are entitled to a free 30-minute financial consultation. All services are private and confidential.
o Insight EAP can help employees and household dependents address: emotional distress; job-related issues; marital, family and parenting concerns; divorce/relationship conflicts; custody issues; grief and loss; life transition and more.
o Insight provides a work/life resource library with thousands of articles, webinars, videos, personal growth resources, recipes and much more.
o Monthly newsletter with various topics
o General EAP information as well as employee login information can be found on UCM’s HR website: https://hr.ucmerced.edu/hr-units/benefits/other-benefits/insight-eap
o Detailed Insight EAP information to include employee resource library can be found on Insight’s website: http://www.insighteap.com/
• Wellness –
o Ergonomics Program
 The UCM Office of Environmental Health & Safety has implemented an online assessment/training tool (ErgoCat). The goal is to prevent repetitive motion injuries associated with ergonomic risks of computer use and conserve human and fiscal resources.
 The Ergonomics page provides helpful self-guided tools and resources for employees surrounding: chair/seating; keyboard, mouse and accessories; posture; mobile phones and tablet tips; and more.
 Additional information can be found on UCM’s Ergonomics page.
o Family Care Resources
 Family Care Resources (childcare and eldercare) are available to eligible UCM employees through Bright Horizons Care Advantage
 UC pays the fee that gives access to the Bright Horizons Care Advantage Website with its network of pre-screened providers. Employees make all the arrangements, including selection and hiring, and pay the provider of their choosing.
 Additional information can be found on UCnet - Family Care Resources
o UC Merced Diabetes Prevention Program
 UCM Benefits has partnered with Recreation & Athletics to provide a free, one-year program for all UC employees and their families which focuses on how to make meaningful and lasting changes that can drastically reduce chances of developing diabetes.
 DPP participants meet for sessions in ‘cohorts’ with other faculty and staff members who are at-risk for diabetes. Sessions help participants learn to meet health goals through education, encouragement, and tools.
 UCM Website: Diabetes Prevention Program
 Systemwide Information: UCnet - Diabetes Prevention Program
o Healthy Campus Network
 Systemwide initiative that promotes innovative reforms in all dimensions of health and well-being.
 Inclusive approach toward the whole campus community (students, staff and faculty) who together conceive of, launch and study innovations that are occurring across UC to infuse health into everyday operations, business practves and academic work life, creating a health-promoting university
 Initiatives include Diabetes Prevention Program, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
 Systemwide Information: Global Food Initiative - Health Campus Network
o Lactation Resources
 UCM is committed to promoting a family-friendly work environment by providing programs and services to help employees achieve success at work and in their personal lives.
 UCM Lactation Links: HR - Lactation Accommodation; CARE Office - Lactation Rooms
 Policy Information: PPSM 84: Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
o Smoke and Tobacco Free
 UCM is committed to providing a tobacco-free environment. To help those who want to quit smoking, the University offers a number of resources for faculty and staff.
 Additional information and resources can be found on UCnet - Tobacco Cessation Resource
 Policy: Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment
o Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs
 UCM is committed to providing a drug-free learning and working environment for students and employees.
 Additional information, resources and policy information can be found on UC Merced's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs (DAAPP)
o UCWalks
 Annual systemwide event that encourages UC staff and faculty to take time out of their day and go for a stroll in the name of wellness, community and campus spirit.
o Systemwide WellBeing Initiative
 The Systemwide WellBeing Initiative unites faculty and staff across UC in its mission to improve collective emotional, financial, nutritional and physical wellbeing.
 The initiative provides sponsored programs, resources and events in effort to provide easily accessible tools and knowledge for all employees to lead a health and thriving life.
 Additional information and resources can be found on UCnet - Systemwide Wellbeing Initiative

UC Merced Smoke and Tobacco-Free Policy

Responsible Departments: Human Resources, Student Affairs, and Public Safety Effective Date: January 1, 2014
I. Policy UC Merced prohibits smoking, the use of tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g. e-cigarettes) in all facilities and on all university-owned and leased properties, both indoor and outdoor. This policy applies to all members of the UC Merced community including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, visitors, and anyone on university-controlled properties. The sale and advertising of tobacco products are also prohibited in the University of California-owned and occupied buildings except for advertising in non-university newspapers, magazines, or other written materials sold, bought, or distributed on campus.
Tobacco use is permitted for the following exceptions:
1. Tobacco use for university-approved ceremonial purposes is allowed in a space designated for the ceremony. Preapproval is required from the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.
2. UC Merced Institutional Review Board-approved research, only if tobacco use is integral to the research protocol.

II. Background The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the nation.
Moreover, research indicates that non-smokers who are regularly exposed to passive (secondhand) tobacco smoke are also at increased risk of illness. For these reasons, the Surgeon General has urged employers to implement broad-based health promotion programs with special emphasis on smoking cessation. The response to the Surgeon General's advice and the medical evidence has been an overwhelming trend toward the protection of the health and safety of non-smokers. In January 2012, UC President Yudof mandated that the UC chancellors create a smoke-free environment on all UC campuses within 24 months. Smoke-free was defined by President Yudof as meaning that smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g., “e-cigarettes”) are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, including parking 2 lots and private residential space.
References:
1. President’s letter to chancellors, et al., dated Jan. 9, 2012
2. Smoking Policy Subcommittee of the Occupational Wellness Forum, Oct. 25, 2011, Smoke-free Policy Proposal
3. California Government Code Sections 7596-7598, Smoking in State Buildings

III. Compliance and Enforcement Compliance is grounded in informing and educating violators about this policy. The first level of enforcement action will be to respectfully inform violators to comply with the policy. Non-compliance and repeated violations of this policy are subject to corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, other applicable University Regulations or Policies, and citation and fines per California Government Code section 7597.
1. Visitors to campus who do not comply with this policy may be asked to leave. Non-compliant or repeat offenders will be referred to the appropriate supervisor/organization. There shall be no reprisal against anyone seeking assistance in enforcing this policy.

IV. Cessation Resources In addition to providing a healthy learning and work environment, the University is committed to supporting healthy behaviors. Anyone can access cessation support services by calling 1-800-NO-BUTTS. Additional assistance to UC Merced students who wish to overcome addiction to tobacco products is available through:
Student Health Services
H. Rajender Reddy Health Center
health.ucmerced.edu
(209) 228-2273

Additional assistance to UC Merced faculty and staff who wish to overcome addiction to tobacco products is available through employee health benefit plans

https://smokefree.ucmerced.edu/sites/smokefree.ucmerced.edu/files/documents/PDF/140225ucmercedsmoke_free_policyfinal.pdf

https://ehs.ucmerced.edu/general-safety/ergonomic

https://clients.brighthorizons.com/universityofcalifornia

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/other-benefits/family-care-resources.html

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/working-at-uc/livingwell/tobacco-cessation-resources.html

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000371/SmokingPolicy

https://ecar.ucmerced.edu/daapp

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/working-at-uc/livingwell/wellbeing/index.html
https://recreation.ucmerced.edu/fitness/DPP

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2019/11/uc-diabetes-prevention-program-puts-faculty-and-staff-health-front-and-center.html

https://www.ucop.edu/global-food-initiative/systemwide-engagement/healthy-campus-network/index.html

https://hr.ucmerced.edu/hr-units/benefits/accommodations/lactation

https://care.ucmerced.edu/pregnancyexpecting-parent-resources/lactation-rooms

https://hr.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm656/files/2019-03/lactation-accomodation_ppsm84.pdf