Berries

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Program details and frequently asked questions (FAQs)


Berries are health-related activities offered by BeWell to help you put your wellness goals into action. This year, BeWell is offering you new workshops, offered in 4 of our 5 wellness categories, focused on the important issues of sleep and health behavior change.

Benefits-eligible university employees who complete the SHALA and 6 Berries between January 2 and November 30, 2016 will receive a $100 (taxable) wellness incentive. (Spouses and registered domestic partners are not eligible for Berries.) To receive credit, Berries need to come from 3 different wellness categories (see the list, below). Participants can earn 2 berries for multiple fitness classes, stress classes and nutrition classes, and only one for all other berries.

Berry credit will be granted by on-campus program rosters or participant submission of validation forms from off-campus programs and services; “self-reports” are no longer accepted.

Wellness categories

Get Active

  • Fitness assessment – free 30-minute assessment through BeWell. Credit will also be given for fee-based fitness assessments done through DAPER or an outside gym with a validation form. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a fitness assessment.
  • Personal Training – free 60-minute session with a certified personal trainer. Credit will also be given for fee-based personal training sessions done through DAPER or an outside gym with a validation form. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a personal training session. Participants may schedule a second, free follow-up personal training session per program year for no berry credit.
  • Physical activity – reduced rate ($30) fitness classes available through HIP or reduced rate ($60) group fitness pass through Stanford Recreation. Credit will also be given for fitness classes completed with an outside gym with a validation form. Participants may earn two Berries per program year for fitness classes.
  • BeWell Walkers – free online 10-week walking program with tracking log and walking maps designed to gradually increase your physical activity level. Credit will also be given for tracking of steps through wearable fitness trackers with a validation form. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for BeWell Walkers.


Eat Better

  • BeWell Nutrition workshop – free, 50 minutes. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a nutrition workshop.
  • Nutrition class – fee-based, in-depth, provided by HIP. Employees may also take nutrition classes with their health care provider, regularly attend weight loss group meetings, or participate in a weight loss study and earn this berry with validation form submission. Participants may earn two Berries per program year for nutrition classes.

 Unwind

  • BeWell Stress workshop – free, 50 minutes. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a stress workshop, but may attend multiple workshops for their own enrichment.
  • Stress class – fee-based, in-depth Stress Management class offered by HIP or a free workshop offered by the Faculty/Staff Help Center or WorkLife Office with validation form submission. Participants may earn two Berries per program year for stress classes.


Manage Health

  • BeWell Manage Health workshop – new – free, 50-minutes. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a workshop in this category, but may attend multiple workshops for their own enrichment.
  • Health Enrichment class – fee-based, offered by HIP. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a health enrichment class.
  • Workspace Well-Being – free ergonomic classes offered by Environmental Health and Safety or fee-based classes offered by HIP. Please note that you are only eligible for a Berry upon initial completion of this course. Subsequent completions will not be Berry-eligible. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for work space well-being classes.
  • Annual well-visit – annual physical/well-visit with your doctor in 2016. Validation form required.


Commit to Community

  • BeWell Commit to Community workshop – new – free, 50 minutes. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for a workshop in this category, but may attend multiple workshops for their own enrichment.
  • Emergency Preparedness class – free and fee-based emergency classes offered through HIP or Environmental Health & Safety. Please note that you are only eligible for a Berry upon initial completion of this course. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for an emergency preparedness class.
  • Environmental class – free and fee-based class focused on improving the environment offered by HIP or Sustainable Stanford. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for an environmental health class.
  • Elder/Child care – free brown bag sessions offered by the WorkLife Office with validation form submission. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for an elder/child care workshop.
  • Volunteering – new – submit a signed validation form from your volunteer group supervisor for Berry credit. Participants may earn one Berry per program year for volunteering with their community.

Berries: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)


What are Berries?
Berries are health-related activities offered by BeWell to help you put your wellness goals into action.

What is the Berry incentive?
Benefits-eligible university employees who complete the SHALA and 6 Berries (from at least 3 wellness categories) between January 2, 2016 and November 30, 2016 will receive a $100 (taxable) wellness incentive. Please note: if an employee has already earned a $100 incentive for completing the minimum Healthy Work Environment 10 weeks of goals, they will not qualify for an additional $100 by completing Berries.

What’s new in 2016?

(1) BeWell is offering you new workshops focused on the issues of sleep and health behavior change in four of our five wellness categories: Eat Better, Unwind, Manage Health and Commit to Community.
(2) Roster attendance or Validation Forms are required for all Berries; “self-reports” will no longer be accepted. There are no caps on the number of Validation Forms a participant may submit for Berry credit.
(3) New Volunteering Berry Validation Form in the Commit to Community category.

Is the Berry incentive separate from other incentives in the Program?
Yes. Eligible employees who complete 6 or more Berries before the November 30, 2016 deadline earn $100 (taxable) regardless of their other program elections. (For example: the $100 Berry incentive can be earned independently from the $200/$480 incentive for completing Parts 1-3 or 1-4, respectively, of the Wellness Profile.)

When do I receive payment for completing my Berries?

This incentive will be processed following the completion of your sixth Berry and will be included in a regular paycheck labeled “Berries” under Earnings within 2 pay periods.

Can spouses and domestic partners do Berries?


Spouses and registered domestic partners are not eligible for Berries.



How can I track my Berries?
Track your berries on your BeWell account by logging in at http://bewell.stanford.edu. Berries that are “in progress” are yellow. Berries that are "complete" are red. Berries that are red with a white checkmark are being applied to your $100 incentive. Please see legend below.


 
Is there a limit to the number of Berries I can do?
No.  

Will I receive an additional incentive if I complete more than six Berries?
No.

What is the best way to find a Berry?

Berries have been divided into 5 wellness categories. Start by finding the category that most interests you and then review your options. Alternatively, you can check our our Berry calender for a complete list of all one-time classes and workshops being offered by BeWell and our campus partners. Lastly, we encourage you to use Validation Forms for all off-campus services you are currently utilizing to fulfill your Berry requirements.

Can I still participate in Berries for an incentive if I am not on a Stanford-sponsored medical plan or not sharing my data?
Yes. Berries are available to all benefits eligible Stanford employees, regardless of their benefits elections or BeWell sharing status. Please visit our Incentive Calculator for further clarification.