Employee Supportive Measures

Employee Assistance Program - Supportlinc

There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. An enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through SupportLinc can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling, and dependent care resources. Best of all, it's free for both employees and their families! Help is available by a licensed counselor 24/7, 365 days a year by phone at 1-888-881-5462. Other resource tools, such as podcasts, articles and videos are available online at www.supportlinc.com or by downloading the app: eConnect Mobil App.

Learn more about these free services in this introductory letter from SupportLinc.

Financial Resources

WWU Employee Benevolence Fund

The Employee Benevolence Fund (EBF) is to support any current (or recently released) employee in financial need. To learn about the EBF and to see if you are eligible, review the EBF policy here. 

• Employees may set up donations through payroll deduction by emailing the biweekly fixed amount to: demetria.edge@wallawalla.edu
• Donations can also be made by visiting: wallawalla.edu/donate, under Walla Walla University Fund, select "Other Fund" and describing your donation as "Benevolence Fund."

If you are struggling financially, please apply for assistance from the EBF here.

Unemployment Benefits

Learn more about WA State Unemployment Benefits, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

For Oregon residents, learn more about unemployment benefits here.

For Montana residents, learn more about unemployment benefits here.

A comprehensive listing of financial resources during COVID-19, are available here.

Health Resources

Virtual Care through Premera Blue Cross

• 24-Hour NurseLine (FREE): Call 800-841-8343 to discuss your symptoms and get advice on where to go for care.
• Premera MyCare App (FREE): Download Premera MyCare to talk to a board-certified primary care physician 24/7.
• DoctorOnDemand (subject to $35 copay): Doctors provides virtual urgent care, behavioral health, preventative health, and chronic care 24/7. Visit doctorondemand.com/premera to learn more.
• Talkspace (subject to $35 copay): Online therapy with a licensed clinician via private message or live video. To get started, visit talkspace.com/premera.*

Other mental health resources:

• LearnToLive provides free mental health videos and articles centered on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.*
• Mindful Living for Adults, and Mindful Living for Kids Webinars, by Resources of Living*
• Employee Assistance Program by SupportLinc (6 FREE counseling sessions - can be done virtually!)*
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is a free, nationwide peer-support service that offers free mental health education, a video resource library, online discussion groups, and a HelpLine staffed with trained volunteers willing to listen, provide resources and support. A local NAMI chapter is also available: https://www.namiwallawalla.org/

*This resource is eligible for wellness credits through FitThumb

Leave of Absence (LOA) Resources

Leave of Absence (LOA) is extended time without required employment responsibilities due to a qualifying event where the employee’s job is protected while they are absent. Some qualifying events include serious illness, birth of a child, recovery from surgery, and the need to care for an immediate family member who is seriously ill. There are several different leaves an employee may be eligible for, including but not limited to Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Washington Paid Family Medical Leave (WA PFML), Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), Paid Leave Oregon, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), and Maternity/Paternity leave. For additional information review the WWU LOA Policy. If you believe you need LOA, please complete the LOA Application Form and submit to HR. You can also schedule a meeting with HR to discuss LOA .

Medical Accommodations

Under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done during the hiring process. These modifications enable an individual with a disability to have an equal opportunity not only to get a job, but successfully perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations as they relate to three aspects of employment: 1) ensuring equal opportunity in the application process; 2) enabling a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job; and 3) making it possible for an employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.

The intent of governing laws relating to employees with functional limitations is that the employer and employee work together in an interactive process to determine whether and what kind of accommodation is needed to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Schedule a meeting with HR if you have a need and they will be able to guide you through this process. You may apply for medical accommodation by completing and submitting the WWU ADA Medical Accommodation Form and having your physician completing and submit the WWU Physician Form to support your application.