Quality of Worklife (QOWL)

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

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.
• Backup Care provides opportunities for alternative care arrangements for your dependents so you can go to work.
• New child benefits give you access to a wealth of resources when you bring home a new child.
• Penn's Nursing Mothers Program can help you make a smoother transition back to work when you're nursing your newborn.
• 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.
• 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.
• Quit smoking 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.