FAQs
Bobcat Balance
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What is Bobcat Balance?
Your Bobcat Balance program is provided by ComPsych® Corporation and offers counseling, legal and financial consultation, work-life assistance and crisis intervention services to all our employees and their household family members.
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How much does this program cost?
This program is FREE. The University pays for this benefit to help you achieve your full potential.
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Who can use this program?
All benefits-eligible employees and members of their household.
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I am taking care of my father-in-law who just moved in with me and family. Can he use the program?
Yes. Other members living in your household may be able to utilize services.
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How confidential is this program?
The program is strictly confidential. No information about your participation in the program is provided to your employer.
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Can I access Bobcat Balance on the weekend?
Yes, Bobcat Balance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Is Bobcat Balance part of my insurance benefit?
No, this is an additional benefit and separate from your health insurance.
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I utilized counseling services in March. When does the 5 visits per issue per year start over?
The number of visits starts over each calendar year.
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Can I search the database or call Bobcat Balance during the work hours?
You are encouraged to use the program after work or during breaks. However, depending on the severity of your situation and how quickly you need help, your supervisor has discretion to permit you to access the services during work hours.
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How do I record my time if I go to a counseling session during work hours?
Some of the counselors offer evening and weekend appointments; however, if you go during your normal work day you should use sick leave like you would a doctor's appointment.
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How do I complete my registration?
All benefit-eligible employees are automatically opted into the WellCats program. No registration is necessary. A one-time liability waiver may be required for some in-person activities. We recommend that all employees have one on file.
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Do you offer any classes on eating healthy/nutrition?
Yes. WellCats Educational Series (WES), ProActive Nutrition Classes (PAN), and nutrition consultations will cover health and nutrition topics. Watch for emails from the WellCats newsletter regarding announcements of upcoming events.
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Can my husband join the wellness program as a non-Texas State employee?
No. The free employee wellness program is only open to current employees of the University.
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If employees injure themselves while participating in a wellness activity, are they covered by workers comp benefits?
No. Workers' compensation benefits cover employees who are injured while in the course and scope of their job duties.
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How is comp time accrued? For example, an employee participates 5 days a week for a total of 2.5 wellness hours for the week. This same employee works 2 extra hours for the week; do they receive the full 2 hours as comp time?
Wellness leave is paid leave and factors into the total number of hours for the week just like any other paid leave. In your example, the employee would earn 2 hours of state comp time.
Wellness Leave
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Does the nature of the activity and time/place for which I am requesting to use wellness leave have to be specified to the supervisor?
A supervisor may, at their discretion, require that an employee requesting wellness leave submit the nature and the time/place of the activity for consideration for granting of the leave.
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Can wellness leave be used to shorten the workday?
Wellness leave is intended to be used to engage in wellness activities during an employee’s regular workday. The decision whether to allow an employee to use wellness leave at the start or end of the workday rests with the supervisor.
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Is wellness leave limited to 30 minutes per day?
The maximum wellness leave is 2.5 hours per week. An employee may request to use the leave in 30-minute increments over 5 days, or they may request to use another variation (e.g., 2.5 hours in one day). The employee’s supervisor has discretion to grant the use of wellness leave.
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Can wellness leave be used for any health and wellness-related activity?
In accordance with the state of Texas government code, state agencies have the option of offering wellness leave for the purpose of “exercise three times a week”. Texas State University has opted in to this program, offering its employees up to 2.5 hours per week of wellness leave as part of UPPS 04.04.30 University Leave Policy.
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Is wellness leave accrued time off?
Wellness leave is not accrued. Up to 2.5 hours may be used each week if approved in advance by the employee’s supervisor.
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Can I bank my wellness leave time?
Wellness leave cannot be banked for future use.
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Is wellness leave paid out at the time of separation?
Wellness leave is not accrued time off, thus there is no ‘balance’ and it is not paid at the time of separation.
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Can I use wellness leave to attend medical appointments or undergo routine health screenings?
Wellness leave is not intended to be used for medical appointments or to undergo routine health screenings. Sick leave is the most appropriate time off category for these purposes. If sick leave is not available, an employee may use vacation or compensatory leave.
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Can I use wellness leave for engaging/using Bobcat Balance resources or for mental health appointments?
Wellness leave is not intended to be used for Bobcat Balance (TXST Employee Assistance Program) or mental health appointments. Sick leave is the most appropriate time off category for these purposes. If sick leave is not available, an employee may use vacation or compensatory leave.