Work/Life Resources

Please review the Faculty Work/Life and Family Resources brochure for information on work/life-related policies, relocation resources, family support programs and benefits, and personal well-being assistance.

A Message from the Provost

Northwestern is committed to ensuring that new and continuing faculty members have the information and resources they need to acclimate to Northwestern and succeed in their careers. The Offices of the Provost and of HR Well-being can help all faculty navigate life's opportunities and challenges for you to be your best at work and at home. From the Faculty Family Leave Policy and childcare and senior care benefits to the Faculty Wellness Program, our policies and resources support faculty excellence, career satisfaction and well-being.”

Provost Kathleen Hagerty

Resources for Taking Care of Your Family

Visit the Human Resources website for more information on Northwestern's work/life benefits for faculty, including:

Childcare resources, referral service, and links to local centers, schools and summer camps
A Portable Caregiving Grant and Childcare Fee Assistance for four community childcare centers
Subsidized childcare backup care through Care.com to help you find vetted in-home or center-based backup care providers, when regular care falls through
Cariloop, a comprehensive caregiving facilitator that pairs licensed and certified healthcare coaches with clients to assist with finding the caregiving resources they need to manage care transitions and life events
The online Sitters and Tutors Network to locate and arrange for services provided by Northwestern students
Access to senior care resources, including on-site caregiver support and subsidized back-up care
Adoption assistance for reimbursement of qualified adoption-related expenses
Higher education tuition benefits for dependent children and spouses/civil union partners
Lactation support, including lactation rooms across campus

Employment Assistance for Faculty Spouses/Partners

Northwestern partners with the Greater Chicago Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (GC HERC), which includes other area educational institutions such as the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Argonne, and Fermilab, to support dual-career couples. GC HERC contains a web-based search engine that includes listings for both faculty and staff jobs at all member institutions and is available at no charge to anyone seeking employment in higher education. The search engine allows users to link two profiles and find jobs that match both search criteria.

Northwestern Career Advancement invites all faculty and their spouses/partners to attend any career-related events and programs on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses. In addition, spouses and partners can contact NCA for a consultation appointment with the Executive Director. Please have your academic department office email Mark Presnell, the Executive Director of Northwestern Career Advancement, to request arrangements on your behalf.

Dependent Care Professional Travel Grant

The Dependent and Elder Care Travel Grant offers funds to cover your dependent care costs incurred during short-term travel to attend meetings, conferences, or other professional development opportunities.

Family Leaves

Childbearing, adoption and childrearing leave policies vary according to one's faculty category. Find the policy that pertains to you.

Family Caregiving Resource

New! Cariloop

The Office of Human Resources and the Office of the Provost are pleased to offer Northwestern’s faculty a new resource for their family caregiving needs. Cariloop is a comprehensive caregiving facilitator that pairs licensed and certified healthcare coaches with clients to assist with finding the caregiving resources they need to manage care transitions and life events.