Employee Wellness Leave Program | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Wellness Leave

The Wellness Leave program offers eight (8) hours of additional leave time per fiscal year to eligible employees who complete wellness requirements!  

To be awarded Wellness Leave Hours, employees must:

    1. Receive a physical examination from a health care provider,
    2. Complete the Health Risk Assessment through BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, and
    3. Participate in two eligible wellness events ↓.  

After completing these steps, the employee will be awarded eight (8) hours of Wellness Leave by submitting the Wellness Leave Certification Form and required documentation to HSCWellness@ttuhsc.edu or their campus Human Resources Office.  

Wellness Leave Hours will be awarded to the employee using the Wellness Get Fit (WEF) leave category. WEF hours will be available for use on the first of the month following submission of all required documentation.  

WEF hour awards are limited to 8 hours per fiscal year. Eligible employees will have the option to submit requests for either the Wellness Leave Program which offers 8 hours of WEF leave or the Get Fit Challenge which offers 4 hours of WEF leave. WEF time off must be scheduled in advance and approved by the employee’s supervisor.

Please note: Awarded WEF hours must be used within the fiscal year and will expire on August 31st. WEF hours are not paid out upon separation of employment.

Wellness Events

The following webinars and activities are approved as eligible wellness events for TTUHSC’s Wellness Leave program. A certificate of attendance is required to be submitted along with the Wellness Leave Certification form for the event to be counted for leave awards.   

September 2024

Language Matters
Friday, September 6, 10–11 a.m. 
When discussing suicide, language matters. The HHSC Suicide Prevention Team will discuss clear and factual ways to talk about suicide.

Thriving Together; Building Workplace Resilience Through Connection
Friday, September 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Learn how authentically engaging in reciprocity positively affects help-seeking and help-offering and prevents suicide. 

Warriors Burden: Recognize Silent Suffering and Help Heal our Military Heroes
Friday, September 20, 10–11 a.m. 
Participants will explore suicide prevention through the eyes of a veteran with lived experience. Delving into the struggles service members face when transitioning to civilian life, this webinar offers strategies for fostering open dialogue and support to aid in their healing.

Special Opportunity - Presented by the TTUHSC Employee Assistance Program

Wellness! Practical Ways to Manage Stress
Tuesday, September 24, 10–11 a.m. 
The Managing Director of the Employee Assistance Program, Kristie Collins, presents this course. This webinar will provide you with information and helpful strategies to better manage the stresses we face in our daily lives. (In order to receive credit for this activity, you must attend the entire webinar. Attendance will be recorded and certificates will be issued for completion.) Register through ACME.

Suicide Prevention for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Friday, September 27, 10–11 a.m. 
Lisa Morgan, co-chair of the Autism and Suicide Committee of the American Association of Suicidology, will share important ways to connect with people with autism spectrum disorder who may be considering suicide. 

August 2024 - Movement Mindset

Retirement Planning from New Hire to Retiree
Wednesday, August 14, 10–11 a.m. 
Financial educator Nick Daugherty helps you understand how the stock market works, the various types of retirement accounts, and how to find the right financial advisor. Join us whether you’re just starting out or are close to retirement.

Avoiding Financial Exploitation
Thursday, August 29, 10–11 a.m. 
After years of hard work and sound financial decisions, people can find themselves a target of fraudsters. Patricia Hord, from the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner, teaches how to recognize, report and reduce the risk of financial exploitation. 

July 2024 - Movement Mindset

Movement Mindset Webinar
Thursday, July 11, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Lacy Wolff and Jewell Smith to explore creative ways to manage expectations and turn barriers into motivation for daily movement.

Starting a Strength Training Routine: Building a Stronger You Webinar
Tuesday, July 16, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Lacy Wolff and Demetrius Bailey to learn the fundamentals and benefits of strength training, including essential exercises and tips for a sustainable routine. 

June 2024 - Health Benefits of Nature

Nature & Your Health Webinar
Thursday, June 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Jesús Aguirre, Chair of the National Recreation & Parks Board (NRPA) and former CEO of the Waterloo Greenway, to learn how spending time in nature can positively impact your health and well-being.

May 2024 - Mental Health Awareness

Development, Attachment & Relationships
Thursday, May 16, 10–11 a.m. 
Explore the dynamics of development, attachment, and relationships with Albert Lucio, Wellness Coordinator for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

April 2024 - Understanding Stress and Building Resilience

Mindfulness - How it Works and Building a Practice
Thursday, April 4, 10–11 a.m. 
Join us as we discuss techniques to develop a daily practice. We will explore the neuroscience of mindfulness and the impact on cognitive function, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Whether you're curious about the science of mindfulness or seeking evidence-based tools for personal growth, this webinar offers valuable insights and actionable steps for a healthy mind. 

The Sleep-Stress Connection: How Restful Nights Impact Your Well-being
Thursday, April 25, 10–11 a.m. 
Delve into the relationship between sleep and stress, how we perceive and manage stress, and how a good night’s sleep is foundational for a healthy lifestyle. 

March 2024 - Focus on Nutrition

Sugar Savvy: Your Guide to Making Informed Decisions
Thursday, March 14, 10–11 a.m. 
Join us for a NEW webinar that unravels the complexities of sugar and its impact on health. Lacy Wolff and Alexis Schminke will share sugar science, hidden sources of sugar in common foods, and practical strategies for cutting back. Empower yourself with valuable insights to make informed choices to optimize health.

Principles of Intuitive Eating
Thursday, March 21, 10–11 a.m. 
Learn ways to tune into your body's hunger signals to guide your food decisions. Explore 10 proven principles backed by research, promoting positive body image and well-being while reducing eating disorder risks. Join us to learn how to embrace mindful eating for a healthier lifestyle. 

February 2024 - Focus on the Heart

Healthy Heart, Healthy You
Thursday, February 22, 10–11 a.m. 

January 2024 - Starting Strong Together

Beyond Bookshelves: The Role of Libraries in your Well-being
Thursday, January 11, 10–11 a.m. 

Thrive by Design: Building Strong Habits in 2024
Thursday, January 14, 10–11 a.m.

Get Fit Challenge Kick-off

Get Fit! Texas Challenge
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 through Tuesday, April 2, 2024

December 2023 - Creating an Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude: Science & Practical Application
Thursday, December 7, 10–11 a.m.

Mental Health during the Holidays
Thursday, December 14, 10–11 a.m.

November 2023 - Healthy Holiday Mindset

Healthy Holiday Mindset
Thursday, November 16, 10–11 a.m.

October 2023 - Self-care

All of the following approved wellness events for the month of October are part of the Adapt & Thrive Virtual Wellness Fair hosted by ERS.

    • Psychological Safety in the Workplace 
    • Men’s Health: Live Better, Longer with Dr. Alex Lesko, MD
    • Journey to Wellness: HealthSelect Wellness Benefits Overview
    • Women’s Health with Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruett, MD 
    • Budgeting & Debt Reduction with Nick Daugherty
    • Boost Your Impact: One team’s journey to one-minute messages

Please note: ERS provides a certificate of completion by email for individuals attending the live webinars. Individuals may have the opportunity to view prior webinars but a certificate of attendance will not be provided for reviewing past recorded events.  

Questions?

We're here to help. Reach out to HSCWellness@ttuhsc.edu for more information about the Wellness Leave program.