Flexible Work Arrangements: Participation Guidelines for Wellness and Fitness Programs, Guidelines
Flex Time
Flex time permits variations in starting and departure times, but does not alter the total number of hours worked in a workweek. To learn more about flex time, please visit http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/workLife/flex/flexAlternative.html.
Supervisors and staff need to fill out a Flexible Work/Wellness Agreement form. (PDF)
Release Time
Release time is defined as paid leave in which an employee is relieved of regular duties to attend wellness activities.
Guidelines
Staff requesting flex or release time are expected to work with the supervisor to ensure that business needs are met and the impact to the department minimized. Flex or release time provided for wellness activities does not reduce the overall workload or duties of the staff member.
Supervisors should consider employees' requests for flex time or release time to participate in wellness-related activities. Typically, to participate in wellness activities, employees need approximately 90 minutes of flex time or release time per week.
Units are encouraged to develop their own guidelines to encourage participation while still meeting business needs.
Granting flex or release time is up to the discretion of the supervisor. Supervisors are encouraged to:
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Carefully consider employees' requests
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Be as flexible and creative as possible
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Consider current and anticipated business needs of the organization
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Take into account other personal/professional development goals for the employee
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Review the plan after a determined amount of time - at least annually
Employees need to have good attendance and their overall job performance must be consistently performing at a level of "Fully Meets Expectations" or better in order to take advantage of flex or release time for Wellness.
Supervisors may revoke release time at any time.
If release time is needed for part-time employees, it will typically be pro-rated.
Use of flex or release time should not result in overtime for non-exempt staff.
Record keeping
Release time should be recorded as paid leave in the appropriate reporting system such as Colts or Kronos.
Release time does not cover instances of illness or leave that are otherwise covered by university policy.
Supervisors with questions about the use of this benefit should contact their local human resource representative.