System Offices Wellness

System Office Wellness Program Logo

The Texas A&M University System recognizes the importance of fostering employee wellness.

The Wellness Initiative includes a two-pronged approach: incentivizing employees to complete healthy tasks, and engaging employees in healthy behaviors programs encouraging wellness.

Wellness Release Time provides all full-time (40 hours/week), benefits-eligible, Texas A&M employees the opportunity to use 30 minutes of their regular work hours, up to three (3) times a week, to exercise or participate in physical fitness activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, benefits of physical activity include control of weight, reduced cardiovascular disease, reduced health risk factors, improved mental health and mood, stronger bones and muscles, and increased chances of longer and higher quality of life.

Wellness Release Time affords employees time to focus on physical activity to reap the health benefits which in turns helps Texas A&M University System maintain a healthy workforce.

Procedures
  • Wellness Release Time is paid time which does not have to be made up, cannot be accrued, and does not need to be documented on timesheets
  • Each fiscal year of participation, employees must secure approval from their immediate supervisor prior to using Wellness Release Time.
  • The release time requested should coordinate with the employee’s arrival time, lunch time, or end of the work day.
  • Immediate supervisors are expected to make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests for participation in the Wellness Release Time program. Participation may be disapproved for cause if the operation of the department will be negatively impacted by the absence. If an application is denied, the supervisor must indicate the reason(s) for denial.
  • The supervisor is responsible for monitoring compliance with the release time program procedure.
  • Abuse of the privilege to participate in the Wellness Release Time program will subject the employee to revocation of the privilege and/or disciplinary action.
  • Employee acknowledges that Wellness Release Time is not considered work time for purposes of Workers’ Compensation benefits.
  • Prior to participation in Wellness Release Time, employees are encouraged to consult with a physician before undertaking any physical activity program.

View the Wellness Release Time application.

The physical and emotional wellbeing of our employees is a top priority now more than ever. Maintaining your wellbeing isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re facing a physical or emotional health conditions, we have experts who can help you learn about your condition and treatment options. Employees, retirees and their covered dependents have several resources available to get the help they need.

Resources for employee/retirees enrolled in medical benefits
Resources for all employees and retirees
Resources for graduate student employees enrolled in the Graduate Plan

Optional Retirement Programs

You have a choice of additional optional retirement plans which are intended to supplement your mandatory retirement plan (TRS or ORP) as a Texas A&M University System employee. This page provides information on preparing for retirement, moving through the transition to retirement, and post-retirement. Visit the TAMUS Retirement Programs page for more information.

Staff Scholarship Program

The System Offices Staff Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to System Office budgeted employees pursuing a degree from an accredited institution of higher education. For more information visit the Staff Scholarship webpage.

Other Resources

Tuition Assistance Program Application
Barry B. Thompson Scholarship Application

Your eating habits affect your productivity at work and in your home life. Here are some resources for tips and recipes for healthy nutritional habits.

Harvard Health Eating Plate
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
Dinner Tonight
USDA My Plate
Brazos County Master Gardeners
Mediterranean Diet

All Texas A&M University campuses and college sites became Tobacco-Free as of January 2020. We encourage tobacco users to seek assistance through any of the tobacco-cessation resources below.

Smoking Cessation Resources

Blue Cross Blue Shield A&M Care Health Plan Participants have may have access to

  • Nicotine replacement prescription medication at no cost, with a prescription
  • Online Tobacco Cessation programs
  • Individual counseling services
  • Contact the customer service number on the back of your card

WebMD One
WebMD ONE is a personalized resource that gives you access to your health benefits and wellness resources. You may also view your current wellness premium incentive status and more.

Health Information for Texans
Yoga at Your Desk
CDC Physical Activity
Exercise at Your Desk
Fitness Programs