UKZN announces innovative employee wellness programme.UKZN – Inspiring Wellness
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UKZN’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nana Poku, has announced a new Employee Wellness Programme designed for staff members and their immediate families.
The service includes 24-hour telephonic counselling with a qualified counsellor; guidance on legal, financial and family care matters, and telephonic health and medical support services.
In a letter to the University community, Poku said: ‘We hope the programme will assist you in achieving personal wellbeing – both in your work and at home.’
UKZN’s Director of Human Resource Development, Mrs Busi Ramabodu reaffirmed the University’s proactive commitment to the overall wellbeing of employees. ‘The aim is to ensure employees enjoy a healthy lifestyle and that when challenges are encountered there is a professional service they can access.’
Ramabodu said the programme was in line with the University’s strategy ‘to promote a happy workplace where employees are encouraged to flourish.’
She offered the following words of encouragement for colleagues going through a difficult time. ‘We are human and as a result we face many challenges on issues such as physical health and financial, psychological, socio-economic, and family matters. It is important to realise that most of the challenges are temporary. However, seeking appropriate help is one of the most important steps to recovery and enables you to navigate these challenges before they become more serious.’
Ramabodu said it was important for the University to provide a support system, through ICAS Southern Africa, where its employees had access to an impartial person they could talk to confidentially about challenges they were facing.
The service is available 24/7 to staff and their immediate families living in the same household on phone: 0800-254-255 (toll-free).
UKZN Human Resources Division is revamping the employee wellness website and campus roadshows will take place over the next several weeks. Watch this space and University communiques for more info!
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photograph: Shutterstock