The Emory WorkLife Resource Center recently published "WorkLife at Emory University: A Five-Year Report" highlighting the University's progress in improving the overall quality of work-life programs for faculty and staff.
The WorkLife Initiative began in 2006 when President James W. Wagner appointed a WorkLife Task Force to address Emory's strategic theme of "Creating Community and Engaging Society." The task force, after surveying Emory's existing programs and resources, issued 94 recommendations for enhancing and strengthening the work-life culture on campus.
"Our five-year report captures the significant accomplishments that have taken place since the task force made those recommendations," says John Kosky, director of the WorkLife Resource Center. "Of those initial recommendations, Emory has been able to partially or fully implement about 80 percent of them."
Accomplishments in the last five years include the opening of Emory WorkLife Resource Center in 2008, the hiring of two full-time dedicated staff members, and the creation and implementation of numerous programs and resources designed to meet the needs of Emory's diverse population. A wide variety of programs are now available to faculty and staff in the areas of dependent care, workplace flexibility, financial planning and support, and community involvement – programs such as the Emory Child Care Network, the Annual Summer Camp & Learning Expo and the Hardship Fund.
In 2012, Emory was recognized with the Work-Life Seal of Distinction, an inaugural award from the WorldatWork's Alliance for Work-Life Progress. Emory was among just 26 organizations nationwide that received the award for demonstrating leadership in developing workplace strategies to help employees achieve success at work and in their personal lives.
"We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish in these last five years," adds Kosky. "And we are very thankful for the numerous leaders, managers and advisory group members who have helped us to bring this initiative forward and keep it sustained."