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

UC Expands Access to Paid Sick Leave and New Reproductive Loss Leave

The University of California has expanded access to paid sick leave for certain staff and academic employees who were previously ineligible and introduced new protections for those using paid sick leave, as well as leave following a reproductive loss. 

Effective January 1, 2025, these changes reflect UC's commitment to providing meaningful benefits that help employees balance their personal and professional responsibilities.

Expanded Paid Sick Leave
  • New eligibility
    • Part-time employees, including those in less than 50% FTE appointments, will now accrue sick leave when in sick-leave accruing titles.
    • Per diem staff and others in non-sick leave accruing titles (e.g., some academic appointees) will receive a new annual paid sick leave bank.
    • Sick leave balances will be updated in UCPath by the end of January.
  • More reasons to use sick leave: Employees can use paid sick leave for a broader range of situations (refer to UC PPSM 2.210 Absence From Work).
  • Protected leave: Employees can designate up to six days per year of their sick leave as protected, prohibiting any form of retaliation or discrimination for its use (see definition on UCnet). Your protected paid sick leave balance will be displayed in UCPath by the end of January 2025.
  • Extended reinstatement: Sick leave balances will now be reinstated if an employee returns to UC employment within 12 months of separation, unless the balance was converted to UCRP retirement credit.

Learn More
Visit UCnet’s Expansion of Paid Sick Leave webpage that includes key FAQs:

  • Does an employee have to notify the University before taking paid sick leave?
  • What is meant by “protected” paid sick leave?
  • Is unused paid sick leave reinstated if an employee is rehired by UC?

Reproductive Loss Leave

Employees are eligible for up to five days of leave following a reproductive loss, including:

  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Failed adoption or surrogacy
  • Unsuccessful assisted reproduction


Eligible employees may take this leave within three months of the event.

Learn More


Timekeeping Systems

Employees will track requested protected sick leave in their designated timekeeping system.

  • TRS (Davis campus)
    See selection updates below.
     
TRS screenshot
  • Ecotime (UC Davis Health, School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Nursing)
    See selection updates below.

    ecotime selections screenshot

 


Questions?
  • Ask your supervisor
  • Ask your departmental human resources contact
  • Contact your Employee Relations Consultant at Davis campus  |  UC Davis Health

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