Q and A: Office of Human Resources discusses new wellness intiatives

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 18^th, 2024

HR has recently undergone some changes and has revamped its programs and tools on campus, empowering the campus community to make healthier choices (including implementing the Blue Zones Project and CSUB Well). Tell us more about these initiatives and what they bring to campus.

In spring semester ’24, CSUB became the first university in the CSU system to be Blue Zones Project certified. We pledged to change our workplace culture to embrace wellness and encourage our employees to make healthy choices throughout their day. Part of that pledge was a sustainability plan that shows how we will keep this work alive after we achieve certification. That sustainability plan became the foundation of CSUB Well, our employee wellness program.

Our employee wellbeing initiative goes beyond simply providing information or resources so employees can make healthier choices. It’s about creating a culture of belonging and fostering a holistic approach to living a balanced lifestyle that encompasses all aspects of wellbeing. We understand that true wellness isn’t just about physical health — it’s also about emotional, financial, occupational, intellectual, environmental, social and mental health. That’s why our program is designed to support our employees in every aspect of their lives, from managing finances to practicing mindfulness, and everything in between.

By encouraging a balanced lifestyle, we aim to empower our employees to show up as their best selves in every role they play, whether as a team member, a student mentor, a family member or an individual. Our philosophy is grounded in the idea that “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” We want to ensure our employees have the tools, resources and support to fill their cup.

What was the idea behind implementing these healthier programs on campus and in the CSUB culture?

The CSU already has so many wonderful benefits and resources available for our employees; however, we recognize they might not know where to look, how to access these resources, or how best to utilize them in their daily lives.

That’s where CSUB Well comes in. We aim to integrate the benefit offerings available with additional tools like Mindful Moments, team challenges, campus cookbook recipes in order to create a cohesive and user-friendly experience. Whether it's financial planning tools, mental health support, wellness programs or professional development opportunities, we want these resources to be readily available and effectively utilized by every employee. By integrating these benefits into our overall workplace culture, we can foster an environment where wellness and personal growth are prioritized.

It is our goal to partner with other areas of campus that can help us achieve an all-encompassing wellness community. For example, our Organizational Excellence & Training Department is making strides to develop and promote opportunities for our employees at the Student Recreation Center that will open the walking track during the summer for employees. We welcome other organizations and areas on campus to reach out to us to discuss opportunities to help us build this culture of wellbeing for all `Runners.

How can a healthier lifestyle change improve the ways in which we not only live, but also show up in the work we do?

We want these resources to become a natural part of how we work, live and support each other, ensuring that every employee feels empowered to take full advantage of what CSUB has to offer. This approach not only enhances individual wellbeing but also contributes to a more engaged, productive and supportive workplace and campus for all.

What do you want the CSUB community to gain from the opportunities now available to them?

Ultimately, we want the CSUB community to experience the full value of these resources and to feel that their personal and professional wellbeing is a priority. We want to be viewed as an employer that values the wellbeing of our employees and their families and creates a culture of belonging. We are a leader in the Central Valley for our academic programs and student success — why not also be a leader in workplace wellbeing?

What are a few simple ways that people can make changes to their day, whether they’re working from home or in the office?

CSUB Well is currently available to benefit-eligible employees, and they have the option to invite their dependents free of charge! It’s not only better for your wellbeing to exercise and socialize but you are more likely to get active when the whole family is working towards it. Simple habits like parking farther from your office, ensuring you have "downshift" time in your day, or taking short, mindful breaks can make a big impact. To support this, we've designed our campus walking map specifically for your 15-minute breaks. These small changes can help you stay active, clear your mind, and maintain a balanced, productive day.

Is there anything else that people should know about these new additions to campus?

We want to encourage all benefit-eligible faculty and staff to register for CSUB Well and encourage their co-workers and dependents to do the same. Go to csubwell.com to sign up! Features of CSUB Well we’d like to highlight include the ability to join campus-wide competitions, or create smaller ones within departments or teams. You can create step challenges to water-drinking challenges. Our first campus-wide challenge, Monster Mad Dash, begins on October 1, and all registered users will be automatically enrolled.

There are leaderboards, messaging tools and “Healthy Selfies” so we can encourage each other. Additional tools like Mindful Moment breathing exercises, personal programs, podcasts and guided wellness videos are available as well. You can sync your fitness devices so they will help with tracking your walks, too! Coming soon, we will have a feature called “Campus Cookbook” where employees can submit their favorite healthy recipes to share with everyone! This will add to the library of nutrition-focused recipes already available within the virtual kitchen.

Lastly, we're in the process of launching a Wellbeing Ambassador program called “Be Well Champions.” We invite any faculty and staff who are passionate about wellbeing and eager to support their colleagues to get in touch with us! As part of our Champions program, ambassadors will play a key role in educating their peers about available events and resources, promoting the program and creating a culture of wellness and belonging throughout our workplace. We anticipate the time commitment to be one to two hours per month, and staff should ensure they have the approval of their supervisor. This is completely voluntary and will not interfere with regularly scheduled duties.