Employee Engagement

Fall campus beauty shots around Gore, Sharp, Kirkbride, Purnell and Hullihen Halls, October 23rd, 2024

Welcome to the home of Employee Engagement at the University of Delaware where we're working to create an environment that supports personal wellbeing, purpose-driven work and a sense of belonging for our community of Blue Hens.

Our wellbeing and recognition programs support physical and mental health, connection and community building for faculty, staff, retirees and their household members.

Wellbeing

It’s time to take the first step toward better health and wellbeing! Join our annual Walktober wellbeing challenge and see how far you can go. Participate on your own or team up with colleagues for extra motivation, friendly competition, and fun along the way.

Registration starts September 14 – October 7. Program runs October 1 – November 2.

When logging begins, record 4000 steps to reveal captivating fall photos, then keep moving to earn a red, orange, or gold leaf by recording 6000, 8000, or 10,000 steps a day. You can use your favorite tracking device or simply record exercise minutes, and Walktober converts them to steps for you. See how many leaves you can add to your tree — a visible reminder of your progress toward better health and vitality.

Wellness Dollars

Full-time, benefits eligible faculty and staff receive 75 wellness dollars each year on July 1 to be used by June 30 the following year.

Wellness dollars can be utilized to purchase the Campus Recreation Fitness Package.

The wellness dollar program and eligible services are managed by our partners at UD Campus Recreation.

Learn more

Additional Resources

Mental Health Resource Guide

Mental health care looks different for all of us. These resources are available to UD employees at no cost, to support you in proactively protecting your mental health and finding professional care when you need it. Recovery is possible. You are not alone.

Supporting Employees in Distress

The Supporting Employees in Distress guide should be used when a situation, observance or instinct tells you to be concerned about a colleague's mental health. Please follow the decision tree steps to connect with appropriate professional help, and when in doubt, call 911 or 988.

Learn more about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Learn more about supporting students in distress

Mental health is for everyone. Don't wait. take care of yours by getting the right help for your needs. You are not alone. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

General Loss Resources

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult events you can experience. Understanding grief and learning how to cope can help you heal and move forward with your life as you honor the person you miss. If you're feeling stuck, consider reaching out to UD's Employee Assistance Program provider, Health Advocate. They're available 24/7 to help you start the process of healing. Learn more about Health Advocate

What can help me heal?

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Support from others is one of the most important parts in healing. That support can come from:

Close friends
Grief counselors and social workers
Grief support groups
Other family members
Psychotherapists
Your faith community

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When should I seek professional help?

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While grief is similar to depression, clinical depression is a psychological disorder. Grief is a normal response to loss. But grief can lead to depression.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

Your symptoms last for more than 1 year after a major event.
You resort to drugs or alcohol.

Call 988 for immediate support if you have thoughts of suicide.

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What can I do IF someone I know experiences a loss?

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What to say to someone who is grieving.

When a child dies.

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Additional Grief Resources

Spouse/Partner Loss

Child Loss

For Caregivers

Meaning & Hope

Mindfulness and meditation help to support positive mental health by increasing resilience, emotional intelligence and mind/body connection. There are many no-cost resources available to UD employees to support regular practice.

Meditation On-Demand-Use your LinkedIn Learning UD credentials to access no-cost meditation and mindfulness videos

Viva Integration-Use Microsoft Teams to add the viva app to your sidebar for access to Headspace meditations + tools to protect your time

Meditation and Prayer Spaces on Campus

Morris Library: Reflection Space
Trabant Student Center: Interfaith Space
STAR Campus: Labyrinth

Dependent Care Resources

The University of Delaware understands that locating Child and/or Elder Care can be challenging and time consuming. Our dependent care resource list includes, community lists for camps, care centers and more.

Resource List

Nursing and Lactation

Campus Lactation Room Locations

346 Hullihen Hall
128 Perkins Student Center
214A McDowell Hall
207E Morris Library
Tower at STAR, Room 354 (100 Discovery Blvd.), 6 a.m.-6 p.m., parking available in front of building

Lactating Persons in the Workplace Policy

Starting July 1, 2025

The University of Delaware's Employee Assistance Program will be available exclusively to employees and their dependents through Health Advocate. The program offers support whenever and wherever you need it. You can access a Health Advocate via a toll-free number (877)240-6863, or by visiting HealthAdvocate.com/udel (code: udelaware)

Learn more

Whatever your fitness level, these resources help support the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of UD employees through movement and the mind/body connection.

Walktober: UD’s annual 6-week Fall online physical activity challeng. Travel the world virtually, as you accumulate steps/activity minutes, receive weekly wellness tips, and have access to a library filled with healthy recipes.

The Carpenter Sports Building (Lil Bob): Full-time UD employees and retirees may access the Lil Bob recreation facilities with their UD ID. Misc-wage employees, spouses, visiting scholars and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members may access the Lil Bob for a fee.

HATCH Program: A 12-week "Health And Transformation Challenge." This program helps you achieve attainable & sustainable growth that fits into your lifestyle budget aiming towards holistic well-being with evidence based approaches and a supportive community every step of the way.

Group Fitness Classes: Unlimited access to group classes like yoga, Pilates and cycling are available to faculty and staff with the purchase of a Campus Recreation Fitness Package ($75 or wellness dollars per year).

Private group fitness class: schedule a private fitness class for your team through Campus Recreation’s Fitness2U program

Exercise Counseling: UD’s clinic offers exercise programs that are developed and supervised by Clinical Exercise Physiologists who specialize in developing safe and effective exercise programs.

Fitness Discounts: Exercise equipment, gym memberships and virtual fitness programs are available to all UD faculty and staff.

Pickleball Games: Faculty, staff and retirees are invited to drop in for regular pickleball games on Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 11:30am-1:00pm in the Little Bob Gym 2. All levels are welcome!