Virginia Commonwealth University

All its employees can benefit from VCU's wellness programs, including flu shots, health screenings, health-risk appraisals, a smoking-cessation program, fitness facility discounts, exercise programs, a weight-loss program, and stress-management training. VCU offers a CommonHealth program, which hosts seminars on brain health, back protection, and nutrition. VCU also sponsors a Weight Watchers program, and Commonwealth of Virginia insurance reimburses 50 percent of the cost of the program for employees. Over the past 12 months, 60 percent of the university's workers used at least one of its wellness benefits. VCU offers all full- and part-time employees on-site child care, grandchild care, and eldercare. There are also referral services at the university to help find care for these family members.

Benefits/Alternative-Work Arrangements: Full- and part-time VCU employees are able to work flexible and compressed schedules, participate in job sharing, and telecommute. Employees who work 40 hours per week are eligible to participate in the university's formal phased-retirement program. Full-time employees can move to part-time work on either a permanent or temporary basis.

Opportunities for Retirees: VCU has 1,068 retirees and a staff person who is directly responsible for managing retiree relations. The university stays connected to its retirees through regular communication, invitations to events or celebrations, and ongoing access to retirement-planning workshops or information.Retired VCU faculty automatically become members of the Retired Faculty Council. They are eligible for discounts, have access to university facilities, and receive discounted tuition.The VCU Retiree Connection also recruits retirees to fill temporary, short-term vacancies.

Age of Workforce: Thirty-seven percent of the workforce at Virginia Commonwealth University is age 50+, and these employees have an average tenure of 15.5 years.