Postdoc Scholar Benefits

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars are eligible for health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability.

Eligibility:

Postdocs appointed in any of the following title codes are eligible for the Postdoc Scholar Benefits Plan (PSBP): 3252, 3253, 3254, 3255 or 3256. The Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE) during which the Postdoc must enroll in these health plans is 31 days from the date of appointment or the date of email notification from UC Path - whichever is later. Coverage will be retroactive to the date of appointment. 

Family member eligibility requirements are the same as the family member eligibility requirements for the University of California Faculty and Staff plans. The major family member eligibility categories are the following:

  • Spouse
  • Natural or adopted child or children to age 26 for medical plans (unless eligible to continue coverage because of disability). Adult age children are not eligible to enroll if they are eligible for their own employer-sponsored plan.
  • Same-sex domestic partner
  • Opposite-sex domestic partner (per AB205)

Note: When two family members are employed through the UC, duplicate coverage is not allowed.

Add Eligible Family Member:

You must enroll newly eligible dependents to your PSBP Health Plans within 31 days of the qualifying life status event. 

Qualifying Life Status Events

  • Marriage
  • Domestic partnership establishment/termination
  • Family member(s) arrival in the U.S.
  • Birth
  • Divorce
  • Adoption 

Enrollment is never automatic. Enroll eligible dependents within the 31 day PIE by contacting the UC Path Center. You may also email the UC Davis Employee Benefits office at benefits@ucdavis.edu for assistance.

Supplemental Benefits

Postdoc Scholars are automatically enrolled in the following:

  • Life-Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Repatriation and Medical Evacuation (of particular importance to J-1 and J-2 Visa Holders, satisfies the J Visa Program)
  • Short Term Disability
  • Workers Compensation

Postdocs can also voluntarily enroll in the supplemental Long Term Disability Plan during the Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE).

Additional Resources