Human Resources recruiting for 2018-19 benefits ambassadors program, encourages applicants

In its third year on the West Lafayette campus, the Benefits Ambassadors program is again open for applications for the 2018-19 term. Human Resources reminds faculty and staff that the program was implemented as part of an effort to promote overall health campus-wide and will continue to be used to highlight and encourage participation in the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program. The goal of the ambassadors program is to recruit interested and able faculty and staff to act as liaisons to Purdue's benefits team.

Human Resources is asking that all interested faculty and staff submit his or her application by Sept. 12. Applications can be completed and submitted electronically. Notifications will be sent to all applicants via email no later than Sept. 21. Please note: Employees should obtain supervisor approval before submitting an application.

“We have been pleased with employee response to the ambassadors program and look forward to increasing its reach across campus to promote overall health and wellness by sharing and educating others about the benefits and resources available,” says Candace Shaffer, director of benefits in Human Resources. “As we reach the end of the first year of our Healthy Boiler Wellness Program, we will use what we have learned through that program to strengthen the ambassadors’ ability to engage and interact with our campus community on behalf of Healthy Boiler as well as other health and wellness initiatives.

"The ambassadors program gives a voice to our Benefits department as well as direct liaisons to the faculty and staff, with whom we are continuously working to provide more and more opportunities to support their physical, mental and financial well-being.”

The ambassadors will help inform and motivate colleagues to achieve healthier lifestyles by providing information on the variety of benefits resources available, sharing suggestions and ideas in committee meetings and advocating health and wellness benefits among their co-workers. Benefits ambassadors will have the opportunity to learn about initiatives and schedule programming pertaining but not limited to Healthy Boiler, Family Friendly, Retirement, Financial Benefits, Medical Benefits, Center for Healthy Living and Leaves/Time Off.

Benefits ambassadors’ responsibilities are:

* Attend a half-day, detailed training about the role of a benefits ambassador. Orientation will take place 1:15-4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, Room 121.

* Serve a one-year term.

* Work in conjunction with the benefits team.

* Attend quarterly meetings to receive up-to-date information on benefits initiatives on the following dates (time and location TBD): Jan. 23, April  9 and July 10.

* Share information that is received with their respective departments/areas.

* Organize workshops, events or activities for their represented area.

* Assist with distribution of benefits posters throughout campus.

* Share suggestions and ideas in committee meetings.

* Actively advocate health and wellness benefits among their co-workers.

The time commitment, outside of the initial training and quarterly meetings, is at the discretion of the ambassador and may be based on the resources and information provided by the Benefits department. Those selected as ambassadors will serve in paid status.  

Human Resources has created an overview and frequently asked questions for the program. Any additional questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or via email at benefitsambassadors@purdue.edu.

Healthy Boiler Wellness Program

In January 2018, Purdue University, in partnership with the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, introduced its Healthy Boiler Wellness Program to promote wellness within the university population. Healthy Boiler encourages employees to engage in their health and wellness by identifying a primary care provider, having an annual physical and biometrics screening and participating in wellness activities; offering benefits-eligible faculty and staff -- as well as spouses covered on a Purdue medical plan -- the opportunity to earn up to $500 combined in incentives to participate.

To qualify for the incentive, the pre-approved activities must be completed and logged into the wellness portal from Jan. 2 to Sept. 30, and must be from two separate categories.

To stay up-to-date on all things Healthy Boiler, visit the Healthy Boiler Portal, follow the Healthy Boiler Purdue blog and follow Healthy Boiler on social media:

* LinkedIn
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Instagram

Any questions on the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.