Flexible Work Arrangements: Participation Guidelines for Wellness and Fitness Programs, Scenarios
Sample Scenarios
A busy office has several employees wishing to take advantage of wellness release time. They are sensitive to the office needs and worked out a schedule that the supervisor approves. One employee takes a water aerobics class from 7-7:45 a.m. and arrives at the office by 8:15 a.m. Two employees are already at work by 8:00 a.m., when the office opens. At 11:00 a.m., another employee leaves for a 45-minute yoga class. Another employee schedules her workouts in the fitness center so that they do not interfere with anyone else's exercise schedule. In this environment, all staff encourage each other to stay fit.
The employee leaves the office at 12:00 noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and returns at 1:20 p.m. During that time, the employee travels to Helen Newman Hall, changes, participates in a 45-minute group fitness class from 12:15 - 1:00 p.m., changes, and returns to the office. 42 minutes counts as lunch, the remaining 38 minutes was release time
The employee leaves the office at 12:00 noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and returns at 1:30 p.m. During that time, the employee travels to Helen Newman Hall, changes, participates in a 45-minute group fitness class from 12:15 - 1:00 p.m., changes, and returns to the office. 42 minutes counts as lunch, the remaining 48 minutes was flex time. To compensate, the employee starts working ½ hour earlier 5 days per week.
An employee has a large project on Monday and is unable to leave the office for his scheduled fitness class. The employee will not be able to carry over the release time to Wednesday or any other day. The release time in this case is forfeited.
Another employee works with a unit that has a busy season in the summer. All the staff in the unit may request release time; however, this unit only grants release time between September and May, so that its business needs can be fulfilled.
A similar unit is usually swamped with calls first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. These employees may only request to participate in wellness activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., in order to ensure that the business needs of this unit are met.