Establishing Wellness Programs
The following are laws, policies, and resources that provide guidelines for establishing employee health and wellness programs within federal agencies. They address scope, funding, and responsibility.
Federal Agency Policies
5 U.S.C. § 7901
(1988) – Health Service Programs
Federal agency heads may establish health service programs within
available appropriation to promote and maintain the physical and mental
fitness of their employees. This law authorizes agencies to establish and operate
physical fitness programs and facilities designed to promote and maintain
employee health, such as occupational safety and health.
41 CFR
102-79.30
States that federal agencies can allot space in federal buildings for
establishing fitness programs
41 CFR 102-79.35
Describes which elements federal agencies must address in their planning
efforts to establish fitness programs.
5 U.S.C. § 5946
Sets forth the limitations on paying membership fees or dues of federal
employees in societies or associations. However, Comptroller General
Decision B-240371 (Jan 18, 1991) allows agencies to pay for access to
private health and fitness facilities for its employees as part of its
health service program, in accordance with well-established appropriations
criteria.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Policies
Healthier Feds
This
Web site describes the scope of Employee Health Programs that are covered
by law. It describes the responsibilities of the departments of the OPM, Health and Human Services, Department of Labor,
Government Services Agency, and independent federal agencies to provide
health programs to federal employees.
CDC Policies
Health, Safety and Environmental Policy
(PDF-413k)
This policy promotes and protects the health and well being of CDC
personnel, contractors, and visitors.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

