Cross Training Guidelines

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

Cross training is an opportunity for UC Davis Health career employees to acquire skills and knowledge of our health care environment, and enhance opportunities for personal growth and advancement.

HR Learning and Development provides guidelines below to help you navigate pursuing a cross training opportunity. You should begin by making your career interest known to your supervisor prior to initiating a cross training assignment. Please note that while we provide guidelines, we are not able to arrange cross training opportunities on the behalf of departments.

Introduction

Cross training is designed for employees to acquire skills, abilities and knowledge of our health care environment that will enhance their opportunities for mobility, advancement and personal growth. It is essential that employees make their career interest known to their supervisor prior to initiating a cross training assignment. Employees may participate in cross training for 4 to 16 hours per week, for up to 6 months or 100 hours whichever comes first. Cross training assignments may be conducted during an employee’s normal work hours. In these cases, the employee’s home department will negotiate the training schedule designed for minimal disruption in the employee’s home and cross training departments. Cross Training outside of an employee’s normal work schedule is permitted; however, employees will not be compensated for those cross training hours. Please be aware that completion of any Cross Training Assignment provides no guarantee of compensation, employment, or benefits to the participant. 

To Participate

UC Davis Health non-probationary career employees with a Satisfactory or better rating on most recent performance appraisal are eligible to participate in Cross Training. Also, employees who receive a corrective action during their cross training assignment may be pulled from their assignment. Before the cross training assignment may begin a Cross Training Development Plan must be approved by the employee’s home supervisor and the cross training supervisor. Employees must identify and secure their cross training opportunities. Learning and Development does not maintain a list of departments providing cross training. Because of the nature of business in some areas within UC Davis Health, an employee may be required to sign a confidentiality statement before beginning a cross training assignment. In some cases, an employee must be licensed to drive an automobile in the State of California and should be able to provide proof of current personal liability and collision automobile insurance coverage. 

Steps to a Successful Cross Training Assignment:

  • Identify an opportunity. Keep in mind that cross training is a joint venture involving yourself, your Home Department, and the Cross Training Department. 
  • Review the Cross Training Development Plan to help plan your assignment.
  • Before beginning your assignment, complete Part A of your Cross Training Development Plan.
  • On the first day of your cross training, meet with your Cross Training Supervisor and complete the Orientation Checklist together.
  • To measure your progress against your development goals, at the mid-point of your cross training assignment ask your Cross Training Supervisor to complete Part B of your Cross Training Development Plan.
  • Upon the completion of your assignment (up to 6 months or 100 hours), ask your Cross Training Supervisor to evaluate and review your performance by completing Part C of your Cross Training Development Plan.
    • Optional: Add your Cross Training Assignment to your UC Learning Center transcript. To do this, log into the UCLC, from your dashboard select the icon “Add Self-Reported Training,” and follow the steps to add your cross training assignment.
    • Optional: Meet with Learning and Development's career coach to discuss how to leverage this experience in your career development. Email hr-learning@ucdavis.edu for more information.