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
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Policies
• CDC Policies

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.

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