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

Staff Hiring Update and Workforce Support

March 26, 2025
Communication from Human Resources to Davis campus supervisors and managers.

In response to UC President Michael Drake’s recent announcement of a hiring freeze, Chancellor Gary May asked Human Resources to implement a central hiring review process for staff on the Davis campus. 

Today, we announce a new Workforce Management Program, designed to effectively manage staff hiring decisions, support leaders making staffing adjustments within their area(s), and assist our current staff impacted by layoffs or reductions in time.  

Starting April 1, any staff recruitment deemed critical must:

  1. Receive approval from the applicable vice chancellor, dean, or vice provost; and
  2. Be submitted to the Hiring Review Committee for review and approval.

Given the current UC systemwide fiscal climate, we expect very few positions to be approved by the Hiring Review Committee, regardless of fund source. With this in mind, we ask you to conduct thorough and careful reviews at the local level and only forward the most critical positions to the Hiring Review Committee for consideration.

Guidance for Active Job Postings

If job offers were extended or accepted prior to noon on March 26, the recruitment should continue. All other recruitments are being paused. The Talent Acquisition team will soon contact hiring managers regarding next steps for their recruitments. Read common scenarios on the HR website. 

Internal Hiring and Reassignment Support

To assist leaders who may need to make workforce adjustments in their areas, the Employee and Labor Relations team has updated its website and is actively assisting schools, colleges and divisions in conducting reorganizations, reductions in time, internal reassignments within payroll titles, layoffs and related processes.

Additionally, our Talent Acquisition team is launching Sustaining Talent in Lieu of Layoffs (STILL), designed to connect current staff affected by layoffs or reductions in time with approved vacancies across UC Davis. Hiring managers with positions approved by the Hiring Review Committee will first be asked to consider candidates from the STILL program before commencing an external search.

We understand these changes may cause slight delays, but we believe they reflect the people-centered approach that makes UC Davis a special place to work. We appreciate your support in implementing these processes and your consideration and care for affected employees. Your efforts are critical to ensuring financial stability while supporting our current workforce and the university’s mission. 

Stay Informed - Learn More

Please attend an information session focused on explaining HR’s hiring and workforce support efforts.

Friday, April 4
11 a.m. - Noon
Register via Zoom
 

Learn more on the Workforce Management Program webpage

 

Tags

compensation Recruiting