Health and Wellness

Workplace wellness drives and reinforces healthy behaviors that benefit the University of Mississippi, our work family, and the greater community. It is the responsibility of each individual to actively maintain a balance and integration of physical, emotional, social, professional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Additional benefits of maintaining optimal health include reduced absenteeism, employee morale, reduced turnover, and improved disease management. Workplace wellness programs serve as an investment in one of our university’s most valuable assets — our employees.

Insurance Options

Health insurance is a significant part of the benefits package at the University of Mississippi. You have health insurance options, as well as dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance options. For more information about insurance options and the flexible spending account, please contact Human Resources.

Taking Leave

Dealing with personal or family health issues may be stressful and may require you to need some time away from work. You may need some time off to take care of yourself, to help a family member, to recover from childbirth, to care for a new child, or to provide elder care. There are several options for paid and unpaid leave. Navigating the federal and state laws and the University of Mississippi leave policies can be complicated, so faculty who need time off should talk with Human Resources to understand all options. Faculty also may want to talk to the Career-Life Consultant to understand how to manage leave and their professional responsibilities. There are tenure-clock extension options, and there may be opportunities to modify one’s duties to allow for more flexibility for a short amount of time.

More information can be found here.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The University of Mississippi does not discriminate against any student, employee, or applicant for admission or employment based on disability status. Contact the Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 662-915-7735 or eeo@olemiss.edu if a reasonable accommodation is needed for a disability.

Health Services and Resources on Campus

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential counseling service provided by the university for all administration, faculty, and staff. Common topics include stress related to work or home, interpersonal difficulties, or barriers to work productivity.

Employee Health Center

The Employee Health Center provides services such as care for acute medical problems, general wellness examinations, laboratory testing, radiology services, and immunizations to faculty and staff who are paid by the university and receive benefits.

UM Nutrition Clinic

The UM Nutrition Clinic offers private, one-on-one visits and consultations to meet needs in areas related, but not limited to, the following: weight management (adults, adolescents, and children), diabetes, sports nutrition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, eating disorders, breastfeeding, and special genetic issues.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy services are available to university employees and may include examination, evaluation, and treatment of sports-, recreational-, overuse- and work-related injuries.

Friends of the Children Fund

The Friends of the Children Fund provides financial support to University of Mississippi employees and full-time students whose dependent children require medical treatment for serious medical conditions.

Although no funding is available for medical expenses, the fund can provide partial support for costs such as airline tickets, meals, lodging, or child care fees for other legal dependents who reside in the household. For information about the program, including how to apply for assistance, please email Pamela Johnson at pkjohnso@olemiss.edu.

Smoking Cessation

The University of Mississippi is a smoke-free campus. We support our employees who want to quit smoking by offering smoking cessation programs. For more information, visit smokefree.olemiss.edu or healthpromotion.olemiss.edu/smoking.

Fitness and Fun

There are various programs, services, and resources available to encourage sport, fitness, and leisure activities, as well as social interaction with others on campus.

RebelWell

RebelWell is a program designed to support healthy behavior in the workplace and to improve health outcomes. The program offers wellness-targeted activities and challenges; wellness events, demonstrations, courses, and lecture programs; and nutritional counseling, individual fitness assessments, and screening programs for specific health risks.

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation provides outstanding services, inclusive programs, and educational opportunities to empower the University of Mississippi community in the pursuit of lifelong well-being. Faculty and staff are eligible for memberships at a discounted rate.