Quality of Worklife (QOWL)

» Worklife Balance
» Health Promotion and Wellness
» Staff Recognition and Appreciation

Best Employer for Working Parents
Penn was recognized as one of the 2006 Best Employers for Working Parents at the twelfth annual Champions for Young Children Celebration reception in November 2006. The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) selected Penn for recognizing the importance of work-life benefits to the health of their businesses, their employees and their employees’ families. For more information about the worklife balance programs available to Penn faculty and staff, read below.

The Quality of Worklife department implements programs and practices that encourage a positive and productive work experience at Penn. QOWL services address the key areas of Work-Life Balance, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Staff Appreciation and Recognition. More information on the history of QOWL programs at Penn is available here.

Worklife Balance — Manage the competing demands of home and work.

• Adoption Assistance allows eligible faculty and staff to be reimbursed for qualified adoption expenses.
• New child benefits give you access to a wealth of resources when you bring home a new child.
• Flexible Work Options offer creative solutions to help you balance work and family demands.
• Snow Day Child Care is available when Philadelphia public schools close due to inclement weather (pre-enrollment required).
• Worklife Resources is an important tool for finding child care, school-age care, and/or elder care services to meet your family’s needs and preferences. You’ll also find information to address a wide range of dependent care challenges, such as learning issues, applying for college, preparing a parent for group care and more.
• School Strike Guidance provides resources to help parents in the event of a school strike.

Health Promotion and Wellness — Improve your physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

• Penn's Employee Assistance Program provides free, 24/7 resources for you and your family, including counseling, referrals and information about personal or professional concerns.
• Annual Health Fairs held each year in April feature free health screenings and a wealth of information.
• Flu shots are available to faculty and staff every fall.
• GlobalFit's Discount Fitness Club Program offers discounted memberships to local health clubs.
• Wellness workshops explore nutrition, lifestyle, exercise and other health-related topics.
• Penn's Recreation Department provides group exercise classes, personal training, gym membership and more at attractive rates.
• The Penn Walking Program makes walking, jogging or running a part of your routine by tracking your progress and keeping you motivated.
• Weight Watchers helps members shed excess pounds with on-campus meetings.
• Maintain, Don't Gain gives you the support you need to avoid gaining weight during the holiday season.
• Smoking cessation resources can help you kick the habit.

Staff Recognition and Appreciation — Enjoy Penn's recognition and appreciation of your contributions to Penn's mission.

• Length of Service Awards reward long-standing commitment to Penn.
• Models of Excellence Awards honor achievements by individuals or teams who go above and beyond the call of duty.
• Penn Family Day is an annual celebration of the Penn community, featuring food, fun and football.
• Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day gives girls and boys 9-15 years old an up close and personal look at their parent/sponsor's workplace.

Quality of Worklife programs are constantly evolving. If you have a suggestion for a new program, or feedback on existing programs, please contact Marilyn Kraut, Human Resources Director, Quality of Worklife Programs, at or 215-898-0380.