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Work/Life Resources

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Work/Life Resources help individuals and departments find harmony between personal, family, and community life and work. Whether you need help with childcare, interested in a flexible work schedule or need some help around your home, Work/Life Resources can provide information and resources to help you find that harmony.

Resources

Virginia Tech employees and students have access to a variety of different discounts, both online and locally. Find out more by visiting the HR discounts page.

Virginia Tech helps support employees and their loved ones. Our employees create a culture of excellence at work and help make Virginia Tech a rigorous academic institution and an employer of choice.

To assist employees in taking care of loved ones, Hokie Wellness provides resources in finding child care, elder care, and pet care assistance.

Flexible work options (FWO) are alternatives to the traditional "8-to-5" workday, the standard workweek, or the traditional workplace. FWO can help employees balance work and personal responsibilities while meeting business needs and objectives. 

Supervisors can also use FWO to promote productivity, improve job satisfaction, and develop management and leadership skills. Flexibility can enhance recruitment and retention of valuable employees. 

For more information and to complete an agreement, visit the Human Resources Flexible Work Options page.

Virginia Tech is proud to support nursing moms with a network of facilities located throughout the Blacksburg campus. Virginia Tech Policy 4300 supports employees requesting lactation support for up to a year after the birth of a child. Additional information can be in the 2010 amendment to Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Who is Eligible?

The rooms are available to Virginia Tech employees and students, as well as visitors who contact Hokie Wellness for access information.

Register

Registration is required prior to using the room. Register online by completing this short form. For more information, contact Hokie Wellness at 540-231-8878.

  • Do not give the pass code to anyone who has not registered.
  • Women should sign up for time slots in the notebook provided in each room. It is only necessary to sign up a week or two in advance.
  • If you need to store small items (snacks, books, etc.) in the cabinets, please do so at your own risk.
  • If the room needs cleaning or supplies, contact housekeeping services for the building. With other problems, notify Hokie Wellness.
  • Some rooms are equipped with hospital grade Lactina pumps.
  • If you use a pump, please wipe it down with an approved solution after each use.
  • If the pump is not working correctly, contact Hokie Wellness.
  • Burruss Hall, 3rd floor
  • Classroom Building, room B08
  • Creativity and Innovation District, 1st floor, behind the elevators
  • Corporate Research Center, Andrews Information System building
  • Corporate Research Center, research building XV, room 1200B
  • Davidson Hall, 4th floor, room D12
  • Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building I, 1st floor, across from elevator
  • Kelly Hall, 4th floor
  • Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) I, 4th floor, across from elevator
  • Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) II, main level
  • Integrated Life Sciences building
  • Latham Hall, 2nd floor, next to room 203
  • Lavery Hall, 3rd floor, room 305
  • Life Sciences I, 2nd floor
  • Moss Center for the Arts, 2nd floor, located in the hallway across from the upper gallery, near the Turner Street entrance
  • New Hall West, basement
  • Newman Library, 3rd floor
  • North End Center, 3rd floor
  • Public Safety Building, first floor
  • Smith Career Center, main level
  • Steger Hall
  • Surge Building, room 170F
  • VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, main floor
  • Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, building 1, first floor
  • Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, building 2, room 159
  • Wallace Hall, 3rd floor

La Leche League Support

La Leche League was founded to give information and encouragement, mainly through personal help, to all mothers who want to breast feed their babies. While complementing the care of the physician and other health care professionals, it recognizes the unique importance of one mother helping another to perceive the needs of her child and to learn the best means of fulfilling those needs.

CDC

Most mothers want to breastfeed but stop early due to a lack of ongoing support. Certain factors make the difference in whether and how long infants are breastfed. For more information on why breastfeeding matters, what CDC is doing to increase breastfeeding rates, and how we are making a difference, click here to learn more.

Office on Women’s Health

Research shows that breastfeeding provides many health benefits for you and your baby. However, it also can be difficult to manage breastfeeding in today’s hurried world. Learning all you can before you give birth can help. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. As a new mom, you deserve support no matter how you decide to feed your baby. Click here to learn more.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

If you’re planning to breastfeed, there are some things you can do in your last month of pregnancy that may make the process easier. Click here to learn more.

Breastfeeding is a journey. There are ups and downs and feelings of accomplishment and frustration. WIC is there to help every step of the way, no matter what stage of the breastfeeding journey you’re in. Click here to learn more.

Hokie Wellness maintains a list of students who are interested in providing part-time child care, child care during Virginia Tech football games, elder care, tutoring, pet sitting, house sitting, yard work, and more. This list is updated each semester and for the summer. The list is distributed to members of the Virginia Tech community, Virginia Tech retirees and vetted organizations in the New River Valley seeking help. Requesters can contact the student(s) whom they feel will best meet their needs.

Individuals Seeking Current Student List

To learn more about our Virginia Tech Student List or to request the list, contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu.

Student Interested in Being on the List

Students who are interested in providing child care, child care during Virginia Tech football games, elder care, tutoring, pet sitting, light housework, running errands, house sitting, yard work, computer assistance, please fill out the application below. Employment is not guaranteed.

Submit the form below to be considered for student employment:

Before submitting the application, check to make sure the following is provided:

  • Days and hours available
  • Relevant training/experience
  • Relationship with references

Once completed please send applications to hokiewellness@vt.edu.

This list is updated each semester and for the summer. The list is then distributed to Virginia Tech employees and retirees, upon request. Requesters will contact the student(s) whom they feel will best meet their needs.

Our Student Listing is sent to only Virginia Tech employees, and we often have little information on these individuals. To our knowledge, those who contact us are honest and caring, looking for the best student to meet their need. Therefore, they should not object to your thorough and thoughtful consideration to the job offer. 

In the same way that we encourage families to check references and conduct interviews before hiring a student to be in their homes, you may wish to do the same. Unless you already know someone (e.g. as a professor or through a friend) you may want to follow a few safety precautions to ensure the most positive experience:

  • Check references. Ask for references from the family if you do not know them personally. Acceptable references could include: a former child care provider, someone who works at the child’s child care center, someone from their job or church, or a neighbor. 

  • Conduct an interview. Both students and families should thoroughly interview potential matches. Conduct the interview with questions that are most important to you. Take the time to get your questions answered to your satisfaction so that you can make a decision you are comfortable with. This does not have to be a formal interview, but should provide you with better knowledge of the job you may be accepting.

  • Communicate with courtesy, respect, and honesty, and take jobs you know you can handle.

  • Know your job. How many children you may be caring for, special instructions, hours you will be working, etc. Ask questions if you are unsure of guidelines or expectations!

  • Trust your instincts.If you are uncomfortable about accepting an opportunity, or returning, trust yourself. You should always feel comfortable around those who hired you. If issues arise with anyone who contacts you from our list, please contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu.

Discounted Weight Watchers Programs Available to State Employees, Spouses and Adult Dependents

The  Commonwealth of Virginia and Weight Watchers (WW) are committed to helping Virginia Tech employees, their spoude and their adult dependents achieve their weight-loss goals and improve overall health

Weight Watchers and the Commonwealth have a partnership expanding a 50% discounted WW membership to all employees, spouses and adult dependents. Participation no longer requires enrollment in a state health plan or specific WW username.

WW’s customized program starts with a NEW personal assessment that gets to know the whole you, to give you an even more personalized weight loss plan. Plus, a holistic view of food, activity, and sleep for a plan that fits your lifestyle.

With WW, you will gain access to the Commonwealth’s private virtual WW Workshops where you and your colleagues will get weekly weight-loss guidance and support.

To sign up or learn more, visit:

WW.com/us/CommonHealth The employee number needed for registration is the state employee number available through Human Resources. Please contact the HR Service Center to obtain the number: 540-231-9331.

All Commonwealth of Virginia employees, spouses, and adult dependents (18+) are eligible for an upfront 50% discounted WW membership. The Special Monthly Pricing and The Commonwealth of Virginia discount per month is not open to retirees, their spouses and dependents, wage employees.

Need more information?

Contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu or WW at 866-204-2885.