The Office of Human Resources encountered a challenge this fall: how to offer the annual health and well-being fair, Irish Health, during the pandemic.
Typically, Irish Health, which is held during the open enrollment period, welcomes more than 3,000 faculty and staff during a two-day event. Those who attend have the opportunity to learn more about the University’s comprehensive benefits, get their health screenings as well as get massages, free food and the opportunity to win prizes.
This year, due to the pandemic, instead of hosting the event in person, faculty and staff learned about Notre Dame’s benefits and met with vendors in a virtual format.
As part of the event, employees who visited at least five virtual booths were entered into a raffle to win a cash prize of $250, $500 or $750. The winners of each cash prize share their favorite part of Virtual Irish Health:
$250 winner: Miranda VanNevel, project manager, Hesburgh Libraries
“I loved the (virtual) platform. Having it feel like going to an event — especially when you have been stuck mostly at home for the past nine months — was nice. It was also helpful to have easy access to information in one place.”
”$500 winner: Megan Snyder, senior administrative coordinator, Dean's Office College of Arts & Letters
“I found the virtual event to be easy to navigate. Selecting benefits was easier and less stressful this year, despite what a crazy time it has been. I took advantage of the AskAlex feature, which was helpful in determining if I needed to make any changes to my current plan."
$750 winner: Kurt Gartner, custodian, Custodial Services
“As a third shift employee, my favorite part of the virtual event was that I could do everything at a time that was convenient for me.”
Although the open enrollment period has ended, it is never too late to learn more about the comprehensive benefits the University offers its employees. Visit hr.nd.edu/benefits to learn more.