UPPS 04.04.32 - Texas State Employee Wellness Program

POLICY STATEMENTS

1. This policy outlines the opportunity for Texas State University employees to participate in voluntary wellness-related activities. The purpose of the program is to improve employees’ personal health and wellness leading to improved job performance, increased work satisfaction, and reduced health care and insurance costs.

2. Chapter 664 of the Government Code authorizes state agencies to use funds and facilities for state employee health, fitness, and education programs.

PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPATION

1. The university’s wellness program is named WellCats. WellCats activities consist of:

   1. physical exercise – individual activity such as walking, cycling, swimming, or participating in scheduled group fitness classes;

   2. health risk appraisals;

   3. wellness screenings;

   4. fitness testing;

   5. cooking classes and one-on-one nutritional consulting;

   6. health behavior change coaching;

   7. smoking cessation classes; and

   8. WellCats Champion program activities.

2. To take advantage of the many activities and paid leave benefits of this program, employees must first register through the online registration process accessible through the Work Life Program on the Office of Human Resources website.

PAID WELLNESS LEAVE PROCEDURES

1. Regular employees are eligible for paid leave to participate in wellness activities. The maximum amount of paid leave is two and a half hours per work week. Supervisors are encouraged to schedule hours to optimize the employees’ wellness experience while maintaining business operations.

2. Requesting and Recording Wellness Leave

   Supervisor approval is required to use paid wellness leave. It must be requested in advance and specify the location and type of activity. Supervisors are encouraged to make a reasonable effort to accommodate an employee’s request.

   Wellness leave used during an employee’s normal work day must be recorded in the university’s timekeeping system using the timekeeping procedures outlined in UPPS No. 04.04.30, University Leave Policy.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

1. The university offers many educational opportunities on a variety of wellness-related topics. Attendance at workshops offered through Human Resources and the Employee Wellness Fair are considered work time with supervisor’s approval.

REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

1. Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

   Position	Date
   Assistant Vice President for Human Resources	March 1 E10Y
   Chair, Staff Council	March 1 E10Y
   Chair, Faculty Senate	March 1 E10Y

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

Assistant Vice President for Human Resources; senior reviewer of this UPPS

Vice President for Finance and Support Services

President