Check-Up on Your Career and Benefits

Now is the ideal time to review your career path and maximize any resources available to you. Occupational well-being is about aligning your work with your core values, setting aspirational career goals, and ensuring your benefits support your lifestyle.

Start with some of these steps to get the most out of your job.

• Review Benefits: If this is included or an option available in your current job check on your health, dental, and life insurance plans. Confirm what you are paying toward them versus what your job is and determine if any changes can or should be made. Also update beneficiary information if needed especially if there has been a change in marital status, family members, etc.

• Evaluate Take-Home Pay: Compare your taxes paid, deductions, and net income to ensure you're maximizing your earnings. This also includes deductions if any for retirement accounts.

• Explore Growth Opportunities: consider whether it is time to ask for a promotion, raise, or professional development. If that opportunity is not available and you feel stuck consider whether it's time to refresh your resume and professional profiles to seek additional or other growth opportunities.

• Use Employee Discounts: If available take advantage of workplace perks or discounts to save money. Also, consider following up with the Employee Assistance Program or your Human Resources Offices to discover what services and programs may be available to you.

• Reflect on Job Satisfaction: Think about whether you just clock in because you have bills to pay or if you are also genuinely happy in your role or with the culture. If you are watching the clock, consider what changes could be made to improve your work life that are within your control. It may involve changing your perspective, sharing your ideas or challenges with leadership, or changing your job.

• Set Career Goals: Consider the changes in your work, systems, and technologies. Identify one or two skills you want to strengthen or develop this year and create a plan to achieve them whether through resources at your current job or by tapping into external resources and courses.

• Network Strategically: Think about finding a mentor or coach in your field or the field you desire to be in if you don’t have one already. Consider connecting with colleagues or professional communities to stay informed about emerging opportunities.

Occupational wellness isn’t just about work, it’s about defining what’s important to you, leveraging your strengths, and making your career work for you. Are you working to live, or do you live to work? You are in control of your legacy and determine what your destination will be at the end.