Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
30 July 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Barend Nagel
HR Kovsie Care
The great poet Virgil once said: “The greatest wealth is health.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently listed burnout as an occupational phenomenon in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Although not classified as a medical condition, its imprint on employees’ health status is absolute. 

The hallmark of any conducive workplace is its ability to assist employees to successfully manage stress. The Occupational Development and Employee Wellness Division at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Human Resources (HR) continues to make concerted efforts to ensure the good mental and physical health of all staff members.

Solving an occupational dilemma

Burnout is characterised by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. Over the past few years HR has launched various preventive programmes for support and academic staff as well as service workers.

One of these initiatives is the Power Hour sessions which are hosted at lunchtime across all campuses. These interactive platforms cover topics ranging from pain, emotional intelligence, bullying, healthy eating habits, resilience and anxiety. 

Fitness as a stress reliever

Over the years what were known as Takkie Tuesdays and Thursdays have evolved into “Take a Break & Feel the difference”. Staff members take 30-minute walks during lunchtime to boost productivity, confidence, energy levels, concentration and creativity while reducing stress symptoms and preventing lifestyle illnesses.

“Our mission is to cultivate a culture of health and wellness. We believe that when the culture is conducive it affects staff performance. The main purpose is to create an environment where people are mentally and physically well,” said Burneline Kaars, head of the wellness division.

Caring is sharing knowledge

True to its tagline “Care”, which stands for: Create, Attract, Retain, Excellence, the division works around the clock to care for staff members’ mental wellbeing. This includes referring those who need curative measures for free counselling provided by Careways.

Another way through which the division inspires employees to enrich their minds, bodies and souls is the Workout@Work programme that offers cardio exercises after office hours and the Pedometer Challenge which tracks physical movement throughout the day.

“It all boils down to being more active. It gets people to leave the office, enjoy the sun, and become more creative and energised,” says Arina Engelbrecht, Employee Wellness Specialist. 



News Archive

Meet the Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup 2017
2017-04-12

Description: Jadene Jacobs  Tags: Jadene Jacobs
Jadene Jacobs didn’t expect to be
crowned as Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup.
Photo: Robin Butler

Her mom motivated her to take part in modelling competitions when she was still in primary school, and Jadene Jacobs has loved it ever since.

The 19-year-old first-year BSc Chemistry and Physics student is excited to represent us at the nationals of the Miss Varsity Cup 2017 on 17 April. Although she never thought she would win the competition, Jadene was recently crowned Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup 2017.

Her role model in the industry is the former Miss World, Rolene Strauss, who previously also was a Shimla Miss Varsity Cup. Jadene likes Rolene’s compassion, beauty, and flawlessness.

Jadene, who is from Johannesburg, cannot wait to meet the Miss Varsity Cups from the other universities. “I am mentally prepared for the nationals, and I am ready to give it my all,” she said.

She found out about the competition at Wag-’n-Bietjie, her residence on the Bloemfontein Campus, and didn’t think twice about entering. Jadene is passionate about sport and lives an active lifestyle. She also plays netball in her spare time.

Vote for Jadene (until 17 April 2017).

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept