Benefits FYI | Spring 2022

Welcome to Benefits FYI

We have made some changes to our quarterly Benefits FYI newsletter, we hope you enjoy the new look. This month we take a closer look at why your benefits are important, changes to Workday, and tips to get the most out of your benefits. 

Why are your UBC Benefits so important?

Have you ever stopped to consider why your UBC benefits plan is so important? More than just a reduction in health care costs, your benefits plan is a big investment in you as an individual and in a resilient workforce. Learn why UBC invests so much in your benefits plan and learn how you can get the most out of this investment.

Learn more

Spring session: Understanding your UBC Benefits

Do you know what is covered under your benefits plan or how to view your benefits information in Workday?

Janet McHugh and Truelove Twumasi from UBC's Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team will help you better understand the wide range of benefits available to you with a focus on the Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Coverage included under the Extended Health Plan.

Join this Spring session on April 12 — spaces are limited

Register today

Resources and support for coping with difficult events

The last few weeks have been challenging with a number of distressing events, including the conflict in Ukraine and the shocking loss of a team member at UBCO. UBC has a range of health and wellbeing resources and supports available for faculty and staff dealing with these and many other difficult situations.

Take a look

Workday Corner 

Changing roles, keeping coverage for overage dependents, and your PHN

We tackle the most frequently asked questions the Integrated Service Centre (ISC) and HR staff are receiving.

Learn more

Updated Workday home page and other release features

With the Workday release on March 12, you will see updates to the Workday home page, search functionality, and navigation. Now, to access the Benefits application in Workday, you can click ‘View All Apps’ on your Workday home page, or use the new Global Navigation menu in the top left corner of any page in Workday.

For more information on this release, please visit the ISC website for details and helpful resources, or click on Explore Your New Home Page under Announcements on your Workday home page. Workday releases happen twice a year and are part of their commitment to continuous improvement.

Visit the ISC website

Need ongoing or face-to-face support with a dietitian or nutritionist?

If you're seeking information to optimize your relationship with food and support health goals through nutrition, UBC Extended Health Benefits can help.

Find out how

Free coaching and professional consultations through LifeWorks

Did you know our EFAP provider, LifeWorks, offers over-the-phone consultations to support you with wellness coaching or advice for family issues, as well as other professional services like legal and financial support?

Learn more and book a consultation

We’re excited to partner with ALAViDA to offer the Dry-Curious Challenge. Check out the guide with evidence-based tips to help you reduce consumption, boost wellbeing, sleep better and more. The challenge is anonymous — no email is required to join. 

Learn more

Free events and resources

UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line-up of free activities and opportunities coming your way.

• March 22 and 25: Pet-ditate: Meditate with your pet 
• March 28 and April 5: Positive Coping with Truelove Twumasi 
• April 6 and 13: Self and Community Care with Erica Altomare

Self-paced Webinars

• Preventing Burnout: Managing stress, emotions and our tendency to give (for employees)
• Supporting Resilient Teams: Recognizing and Managing Burnout (for managers and leaders)

Take a look at our upcoming events

Work permits and your health coverage

We have updated the Work Permit and Medical Services Plan coverage memo to reflect recent changes.

More details

UBC named one of BC's best employers

Did you know UBC has been recognized as one of BC's best employers? When announcing the award our benefits package was highlighted as one of the reasons and acknowledged that:

1. UBC offers generous coverage for mental health practitioners as part of its benefits plan, with up to $3000 available per person.

2. UBC supports employees through various stages of life, from maternity leave top-up payments for mothers-to-be, to flexible work options to help balance personal and family commitments, to phased-in retirement work options for those in the latter stages of their career.

Find out more about the 2022 Top Employer award

Explore your benefits

Subscribe to Healthy UBC

Have you signed up for Healthy UBC? In this opt-in monthly newsletter, you will get a selection of our best health and wellbeing stories and events from across UBC. In the March edition, we take a closer look at nutrition with events and resources to help improve your relationship with food.

Subscribe to Healthy UBC

Disclaimer: The information contained in Benefits FYI is for information purposes only; it is not a contract. In the event of a discrepancy between the information in Benefits FYI and the applicable contracts/documents, the applicable plan contracts/documents, collective agreements and/or governing legislation will apply. Unless otherwise specified in the newsletter, you must be registered and enrolled in the appropriate benefit plans to receive the coverage and/or services as described. Enrolment in some of the benefit plans is not automatic. For more information on benefits, visit hr.ubc.ca/benefits.