Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

Change to Timing of Benefit Premium Deductions

Effective January 2026, there will be changes to how UC deducts benefits premiums from paychecks.

What is changing for Biweekly-paid employees?

Premium deductions for all benefit plans will now align with the current month of coverage instead of being taken one month in advance. For example, UC will take deductions for January 2026 coverage from the Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 biweekly paychecks.

Transition timeline

To adjust to the new timing of benefit premium deductions, please note the following dates and changes:

  • UC will continue to deduct December premiums from November paychecks as usual.
  • UC will take no premium deductions from the Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 paychecks for the following benefit plans:
    • Medical
    • Legal services
    • Supplemental Health Plans
      • Accident
      • Hospital indemnity
      • Critical illness (spouse and child)
    • Employee and Dependent AD&D
    • Supplemental Life plans
      • Basic dependent life
      • Expanded dependent life (spouse and child)
  • First biweekly paycheck reflecting the new deduction timing: Jan. 14, 2026

What is changing for Monthly-paid employees?

For those enrolled in voluntary disability plans, currently UC deducts premiums for monthly paid employees in arrears. Beginning in January 2026, UC will deduct voluntary disability premiums during the current coverage month, aligning with how we deduct other benefit premiums. For example, your Jan. 2 paycheck will include the deduction for January 2026 coverage.

Transition Timeline

To adjust to this new timing, your December 2025 voluntary disability premium(s) will be split and collected across two paychecks:

  • Oct. 31, 2025
  • Dec. 1, 2025

This one-time adjustment ensures your premium deductions will be aligned when the new schedule starts in January.  Please note that all other benefit premiums already deduct during the current coverage month and will remain unchanged.

As benefit premium changes take effect in January 2026, UCPath will continue reviewing year-end benefit plan changes to ensure all premiums are up to date. In some cases, a retroactive premium adjustment may be needed, especially if you enter changes due to a recent life event after the payroll deadline.

Contact UCPath

(855) 982-7284
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu

Tags

Benefits open enrollment