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Professional & Organizational Development

Centering Wellness in Workplace Culture

Last Updated: November 5, 2026

Presented by The Whole U and Professional & Organizational Development with sponsorship from TIAA

Creating a healthy workplace culture doesn’t happen through a single program or initiative. It happens through the everyday ways we lead, communicate, recognize, support and connect with our teams.

Centering Wellness in Workplace Culture is a five-part professional development series designed to equip UW managers and supervisors with practical tools, resources and strategies for fostering well-being at work.

Five 45-Minute Seminars for Managers at UW 

Each 45-minute online session explores a different dimension of workplace well-being—from understanding UW’s support ecosystem and integrating healthy practices into everyday workflows to navigating workplace stress, cultivating appreciation and supporting financial well-being.

Led by experts and partners from across the UW community, the series will help managers strengthen their own leadership practices while building healthier, more connected and resilient teams.

After the Show: Leadership Breakfast

Each online session is followed the next morning by an in-person After the Show: Leadership Breakfast hosted and facilitated by Ujima Sands, Assistant Vice President of UWHR Total Talent Management.

The online session introduces the ideas; After the Show creates space to put them into practice. Over a complimentary breakfast, you’ll join fellow UW leaders for candid conversation, peer reflection and practical problem-solving as you explore how session concepts can translate into everyday leadership.

Thank you to TIAA for sponsoring this series and supporting wellness at the UW.

 

Series Schedule

Register now for 2026 sessions

Attend one session or join us for the full series.


Session 1: Discover the Foundations of Workplace Well-Being at UW

  • Tuesday, Oct. 27
  • After the Show: Leadership Breakfast: Wednesday, Oct. 28

Discover the people, programs and resources available across UWHR to support you and your team and learn practical ways to connect employees with the right resources when they need them.

Accessible Accordion

Last Updated: November 5, 2026

Supporting workplace well-being starts with understanding the resources available to you and your team. In our first session, we explored how UW Employee Experience programs and Professional & Organizational Development (POD) help employees navigate life’s challenges, build connections, grow professionally and feel valued at work. 

Recording and slides:

UW programs and resources: 

The Whole U: Wellness, Connection and Community 

The Whole U brings UW employees together through wellness programs, educational opportunities, fitness and mindfulness activities, employee discounts and community events. From daily movement breaks to signature events and virtual seminars, The Whole U offers opportunities for employees to prioritize their well-being and connect with colleagues across the University. 

Managers can encourage participation, share upcoming opportunities and help create space for connection and well-being within their teams. 

Featured resources: 

UW WorkLife: Supporting Employees Beyond the Workplace 

UW WorkLife connects employees with resources to navigate life’s demands, including parenting, childcare, adult and elder caregiving, housing, workplace flexibility and personal well-being. 

Featured resources: 

Professional & Organizational Development: Supporting Managers and Teams 

Professional & Organizational Development (POD) offers leadership training, professional development and practical resources to help managers foster engagement, navigate challenges and build supportive workplace environments. 

Featured resources: 

  • Leadership Training & Development: Explore the Strategic Leadership Program (SLP), Building a Positive Work Culture and other courses focused on effective supervision, communication, employee engagement and workplace well-being. 
  • Enhancing the Employee Experience: Access the self-paced Employee Experience Accelerator and Employee Experience Toolkit, featuring practical strategies, conversation guides and tools for strengthening employee engagement. 
  • Coaching & Consulting Alliance: Find support through leadership coaching, 360-degree assessments, conflict resolution, team building and customized organizational consulting. 

Awards & Recognition: Creating a Culture of Appreciation 

Awards & Recognition helps employees feel valued, connected and appreciated. UW’s Awards & Recognition programs support a culture of gratitude and celebrate the contributions of employees across the University. 

Featured resources: 

Session 2: Integrating Wellness into Workflows

Explore simple, practical ways to build well-being into meetings, team routines and everyday leadership practices without making wellness another item on your to-do list.

Save the date for 2027 sessions

Registration for Winter 2027 opens Dec. 14.

Session 3: Navigating Workplace Stress and Burnout

  • Online session: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 12:15–1 p.m. (Zoom)
  • After the Show: Leadership Breakfast: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 9–10:30 a.m. (Gateway, 13th Floor)

Learn how to recognize signs of workplace stress and burnout, approach conversations with care and support employees while maintaining healthy boundaries as a manager.

Session 4: The Power of Gratitude and Appreciation

  • Online session: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 12:15–1 p.m. (Zoom)
  • After the Show: Leadership Breakfast: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 9–10:30 a.m. (Gateway, 13th Floor)

Join UW Foster School of Business Professor Ryan Fehr to explore research on gratitude and appreciation and how meaningful recognition can strengthen workplace relationships, well-being and team culture.

Session 5: Financial Well-Being Essentials for Managers

  • Online session: April 13, 12:15–1 p.m. (Zoom)
  • After the Show: Leadership Breakfast: April 14, 9–10:30 a.m. (Gateway, 13th Floor)

Explore UW’s retirement and financial well-being ecosystem, the relationship between financial stability and overall well-being, and resources managers can share with their teams.