Details on the tornado impacts to WashU’s campus and surrounding areas are available at emergency.washu.edu. Please refer to the emergency conditions policy for details on work arrangements and managing employee and operational needs.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Employees should work with their managers to arrange alternative work arrangements. View the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy for full details on various considerations, structure and support.
Employees without utilities | Showers, laundry, RX needs
- Sustainability’s Active Commuter Hub
The Hub is located in the lower level of the Schnuck Pavilion on the East End of the Danforth Campus. A WashU ID badge is required to enter the Schnuck Pavilion. Access to the showers is available until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30. - The S.P.O.T.
Employees in need can drop by for showers, to do their laundry and/or a safe space to refresh themselves. The S.P.O.T. is opened Monday – Friday from 1 – 5 p.m. - Rx Outreach, a nonprofit pharmacy located in Maryland Heights, launched a program to help Missourians access prescriptions they may have lost in the storm. Call 314-222-0472 and an employee will help start the process of getting the prescription, filling it and delivering it to a temporary or permanent location.
- Laundry services are available with the Tide Loads of Hope mobile unit at 4234 Washington Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until capacity is reached.
Employee Assistance through Work-Life Solutions
WashU’s employee assistance program (EAP), GuidanceResources, is a benefit available to WashU employees and household members at no cost. WashU’s EAP can connect employees to community resources for help with matters such as stress, home repair, transportation and financial counseling.
View some specific resources online by logging into GuidanceResources:
- Financial Tips for Recovering from Natural Disasters (PDF)
- Working with Insurance Claims Adjusters (PDF)
Family Care Support
You can also find emergency back-up child or adult care on the Family Care Hub if you are experiencing temporary loss of care. For additional assistance, please contact our Child and Family Care Facilitator, Amy Dunnegan.
Mental Health Support
WashU employees and their family members can access mental health support through multiple channels. GuidanaceResources provides employees five (5) free sessions for a single issue. You can also schedule a mental health appointment with WashU Medicine Psychiatry, which offers lower copays or coinsurances for employees enrolled in one of WashU’s health plans. Find additional support on the Mental Health Hub.
Mindfulness practices from Meg Krejci, wellness consultant
“First take a moment to acknowledge the emotions, the thoughts of overwhelm, and sense into the body with several deep breaths, and sensing into your feet– a short practice attached. After restoring a sense of grounded-ness (feet on the ground), calm and courage, move into action.
Action is the best antidote to overwhelm. And, from a place of calm alertness you are better able to move into appropriate action, rather than a chaotic reactivity that might lead to more overwhelm. And, of course, ask for help – the community and family are here for you. Please take good care – you got this!”
Below is a meditation you can engage in now to help reset and ground yourself.
Community Resources
Community support is being offered by several local agencies and national agencies with local chapters for those impacted by the tornados, including:
- Shelters (Fox2News article)
- United Way 211 Resource Connection Service
- For emergency non-English language support, contact Gilberto Pinela, director of the office of new americans at [email protected].
- Community Action Agency of St. Louis
- American Red Cross Red Cross Greater St. Louis Chapter
- Salvation Army – Emergency Disaster Services
- Behavioral Health Response
- United Way of Greater St. Louis volunteer and donation information
- Additional resources shared via St. Louis Magazine
Support the St. Louis Community
WashU’s St. Louis Initiatives team will host several volunteer events on select Saturdays throughout June. These gatherings will provide meaningful ways for our WashU community to contribute to recovery efforts together outside of work hours. If you’re interested, please fill out this brief form to be notified about upcoming opportunities.