The University of Rome “Foro Italico” pays special attention to Organizational Wellbeing, understood as the ability of the organization to promote and preserve the psycho-physical health of its employees through an appropriate work environment, recognizing and valuing individual potential, taking actions to prevent injuries and psychosocial risks, promoting a collaborative environment, ensuring fair treatment and stimulating a sense of social utility.

In 2021, The Athenaeum Organizational Wellbeing Working Group (OWG) was established at the direction of the Director General with the aim of fostering the well-being of the individual as a reflection of the well-being of the Organization (Directory Decrees No. 89/2021 14-04-2021).

In the same year, the GoL conducted an initial survey addressed to the teaching and administrative staff on the model and directives issued by the National Anticorruption Authority (ANAC) adapting it to the peculiarities of the University. In this sense, the purpose of the questionnaire was not only to detect the common areas of investigation such as the perception of the action of the Governance and safety in the workplace, but also to indentify the sense of belonging to the University; satisfaction with the healthy living activities promoted in collaboration with the “Foro Italico” Foundation and the choice of possible improvement actions (see attachments).

In conjunction with the stated objectives of the PIAO (Section AIS4.1), the GoL and CUG are committed to working together to strengthen activities aimed at Organizational Wellbeing and Welfare.

• Training and awareness activities
  The CUG promotes, in collaboration with the GoL, a path of awareness and communication in order to give space to the development of knowledge and tools useful for maintaining a serene work environment that enhances people’s well-being. In recent years, in fact, the technological development of work and various contingencies of a cultural and social nature (increasing digitalization, intensification of work, spread of smart/remote working) impose a special and renewed attention to the issue of individual and organizational well-being. The topics of the training cycles, addressed to the University’s structured and unstructured staff and to the staff of other public administrations interested in sharing and implementing similar initiatives with the University of Rome Foro Italico, have so far covered:
  • Occupational well-being and mental health. A first round of initiatives covers the issues of well-being and mental health, as well as the phenomena most closely related to the experiences of work stress and burnout (conflict, work incivility, harassment and bullying) and the experiences associated with new risks related to changes in the work environment and the way of working (work intensification, workaholism, risks related to digitization and information overload). The overall goal is to strengthen knowledge and awareness of these issues and, at the same time, of possible tools and strategies to counter the onset of these phenomena.
  • Work management and work efficiency. A second round of meetings will focus on the most effective knowledge and strategies for facilitating adaptation to increasing job demands and offering job stress management (stress management) skills. These topics will require the articulation of meetings that can gradually introduce topics such as emotional intelligence, work time management, models of decision making, and soft and interpersonal skills.
  • Protecting one’s well-being through an appropriate lifestyle. A third and final round of meetings will turn overall to the topic of proper lifestyle and awareness that work life and private life should be considered distinct but definitely and intimately related aspects. Based on this overarching interest, the series of meetings will address-according to both a seminar and active discussion model-themes such as mindfulness, raising awareness toward the proper use and management of time (free time), and the search for personal and organizational balance.

• Measures regarding the promotion of initiatives for the well-being of those at work.
  The CUG, in collaboration with the GoL, promotes initiatives and services for the quality of time in the workplace of employees. These include some activities for health, cultural and motor prevention including:
  • Wellness activities
    • pilates class
    • health physical activity course (health & fit workout)
    • padel course
    • gymnastics / facial yoga
    • relaxation/coffee area for the Foro Italico community
    • prevention open day

• • Activities for the growth of the person
    • theater workshop – public speaking course
    • guided cultural tours/exhibitions
    • Participation in theater/cinema performances and subsequent discussion
    • Dissemination seminars on nutrition education concluding with tasting event on the university’s premises

• Measures regarding the promotion of the well-being of those who work
  The CUG promotes, in collaboration with the GoL, is committed to facilitating the conditions for the extension of the listening service, currently active for students only, to all employees of the University, as envisaged in some projects presented at national calls dedicated to the mentioned issues. Within this project, the CUG is committed to activating the promotion of work-life/family-life balance tools.

Activities carried out between 2022 and 2024

• Cultural activities
• Physical activity
• Prevention
• Survey
• Seminars

Working Group Members.

• Dr. Lucia Colitti, Director General
• Dr. Emilia Angelillo, Director of Instruction and Student Services
• Dr. Daniela Fruci, Director of Accounting, Finance and Management Control
• Dr. Angela Brienza, Head of the Dean’s Secretariat
• Dr. Priscilla Carcione, Head of the Office of Quality of Teaching Services and Courses of Study
• Dr. Andrea Cessari, Head of Technical-Administrative Personnel Office and Teaching Personnel Office
• Mr. Fabrizio D’Innocenzo, Technical-Administrative Personnel Office Officer

The Working Group is assisted by Prof. Arnaldo Zelli, President of the Evaluation Core and Prof. Francesca Vicentini, President of the Quality Presidium