Wright State creates Employee Hardship Fund to support faculty, staff facing emergencies

The Employee Hardship Fund provides a new avenue for Wright State faculty and staff to help each other in times of need.

Wright State University has created a new mechanism to provide support to employees facing unexpected financial distress.

The new Employee Hardship Fund provides Wright State faculty and staff members with emergency grants to help with unplanned expenses or income disruptions. Funds can be used to cover a temporary hardship due to a significant life event, such as an accident or natural disaster.

Grants of up to $1,000 will be available for any full-time (75 to 100% full-time equivalent) faculty or staff member who has been employed at Wright State for at least a year.

The fund relies on donations from Wright State faculty and staff and community members as a way for employees to help each other in time of need.

“In trying times, we all as colleagues need to offer support and compassion. The hardship fund can be a resource available to support those in need,” said Huma Bashir, Ed.D., associate professor of clinical mental health counseling and a member of the Employee Hardship Fund Committee.

At this time, the Employee Hardship Fund Committee is seeking funds in order to launch the new program. Faculty and staff can provide support for coworkers by contributing to the Employee Hardship Fund at wright.edu/give/employeehardshipfund.

“All of us are operating in unique times,” said Shari Mickey-Boggs, chief human resources officer. “Unexpected expenses or income disruptions caused by events often out of our control can lead to a financial crisis for many individuals and families. We hope this fund can provide some level of support to the well-being of our community.”

Grant requests will be anonymously reviewed by an Employee Hardship Fund Committee, which includes two members of the Faculty Senate, two members of the Staff Senate and a Human Resources representative who is a nonvoting member. Once a request has been received, the committee will review the request within 30 days.

To apply for a grant, employees must complete an application form and submit it to Mickey-Boggs either in-person or via Secure Share.

In collaboration with the Faculty and Staff Senates, the university created the hardship fund to help Wright State colleagues during an emergency. The hardship fund is administered by the Wright State Foundation.

More information on the Employee Hardship Fund is available on the Human Resources website.

Assistance is also available to Wright State employees, members of their households and dependents through the university’s Employee Assistance Program. The program provides access to licensed and experienced counselors, as well as work/life balance services. Call 800-227-6007 or visit the Impact Solutions website (use member username: wsufsap) to access services from the Employee Assistance Program.