Employee Essential Needs: Health, Financial, Legal

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

Resources that support employee health, well-being, and stability—including assistance for emergencies, financial challenges and legal needs such as immigration, victim support and family law. 

Sections Below

Health

Lists resources for counseling, support groups, and hotlines 

Campus group that raises mental health awareness and advocacy 

Comprehensive list of counseling, referrals, and other resources 

Helps individuals and families obtain subsidized or low-to-no-cost health insurance plans  

List of crisis text and phone lines, as well as nearby hospitals  

Sign up for community recreational programs and access recreation spaces 

Resources that promote mental and emotional well-being 

Offers stress resilience resources, including mindfulness meditation classes 

Health classes available for UC Davis staff and patients 

Offers mental health screenings 

Finance

Offers service for utility assistance, money management, veterans benefits, taxes, and insurance 

Free basic income tax return preparation 

Government programs for assistance in paying phone, medical, and other bills  

Supports families in breaking the cycle of poverty  

Assistance to staff members who are experiencing financial hardship

Emergency loans available through the University Credit Union and Blupeak Credit to help staff with serious medical bills, natural disasters impacting housing, or other unanticipated emergencies 

Provides temporary relief for Yolo County residents who have exhausted all other means of support 

Non-profit organization advocating for issues on homelessness and poverty 

Legal

Offers services including family law, victim assistance, citizenship and immigration, housing, and general legal aid 

Resources and information about different legal categories are available to help individuals navigate their court case  

Offers legal assistance, educational workshops, and provisions for abuse victims 

Offers domestic violence restraining order clinic and other services pertaining to immigration, safe at home application preparation, housing and employment advocacy, attorney referral information, victim compensation application assistance, and more 

Offers notary and California identification support 

Provides immigration legal training, technical assistance, and educational materials, and engages in advocacy and immigrant civic engagement to advance immigrant rights 

Provides financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans 

Provides state-by-state information about laws including protective and restraining orders, child custody laws, and immigration