Northwestern Advantages

Work/Life resources

Throughout the year, the Work/Life, Child & Family Resources Office sponsors free workshops that address a variety of work and home challenges. These informal lunchtime sessions provide faculty, staff, and their families access to relevant work and life balance topics from experts in the field. Some topics include choosing childcare, parenting, elder care giving and housing, grief, real estate, dealing with difficult people, and balancing work and life commitments. Faculty and staff also have access to a collection of articles and self-assessment tools on a variety of work/life topics including emotional well-being, family and care giving, health and wellness, and daily living.

Childcare solutions

Northwestern offers a variety of solutions to meet your childcare needs, including University-sponsored childcare programs, back-up care services, a free referral service to help you find the right childcare, a nanny share network, and access to SitterCity babysitters, nannies, and pet sitters.

Balancing work and life (pdf) 

Employees may be able to establish a flexible work arrangement depending on job responsibilities and department needs. Employees also receive generous paid time-off benefits including seven holidays, three personal floating holidays, and sick days to care for family members.

Faculty-Staff Assistance Program

The Faculty-Staff Assistance Program provides faculty, staff, and their family members confidential and professional support for personal challenges that can upset the work and life balance. These personal challenges might include time-management difficulties, emotional problems, family issues, financial and legal troubles, stress management, and substance abuse. A third-party vendor provides free evaluations, counseling, and referral services.

Professional development opportunities

HR Development offers professional development opportunities through workshops, tools, and coaching to help individuals and organizations work more effectively.

Cultural and educational events

Check out Northwestern University’s calendar of events, which range from arts and entertainment to guest lectures and workshops.

Retail discounts

Looking for retail discounts around Chicago and Evanston? Just show your WildCard and get discounts at restaurants and movie theaters, on travel services, and even on computer and hardware purchases.

Recreational facilities

Maintaining a good work/life balance means maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Northwestern University provides a wealth of fitness and recreation opportunities on campus as well as discounts to area athletic clubs.

Norris Center mini-courses

Want to learn how to work that digital camera of yours? Or take a ceramics class? Norris Center, Northwestern’s student union, provides faculty and staff an array of noncredit courses ranging from ballroom dancing to wine appreciation.