Wellness

In an effort to promote healthy lifestyles, Madison House allows full-time employees to take two hours of pre-determined wellness breaks per week. Participation is voluntary and employees may pick and choose activities according to the guidelines below.

With approval from your direct supervisor, you may establish fitness/wellness periods at a set time within the workday. These breaks must be taken at times that do not interfere with or interrupt regular business.

Any unused periods cannot be banked and carried over to the next week.

This policy is not an employee right and participation is subject to approval by your direct supervisor. Participation in the program may be terminated by either the supervisor or by the employee, in writing, at any time. As a condition of participation, you must maintain work performance at a high and successful level as well as be in good standing. New employees must wait 90 days from their start date before requesting participation in the Wellness Policy. Non-exempt employees are not permitted to count wellness break hours as hours worked during any workweeks in which overtime pay is earned.

These hours are intended to be used for fitness and/or wellness activities. Sample fitness activities address cardiovascular/aerobic endurance, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Sample wellness activities include, but are not limited to, health screenings and classes in the following areas: health education, nutrition, stress management, mindfulness, weight management, and tobacco cessation. 

Wellness also includes repeating or periodic health and mental health appointments including dental, eye, physician and therapy.

Madison House retains authority to schedule and assign work to employees which takes precedence over any activities scheduled pursuant to the Wellness Policy. Supervisors must carefully balance workload needs and availability of personnel when approving employee’s time for such activities. Supervisors may temporarily suspend employee participation in the Wellness Policy when time critical work must be completed, and will describe the specific reason for suspending wellness/fitness leave.

Regular appointments need to be agreed upon by the employee’s manager.  Non-repeating appointments should also be approved by the manager.  Managers should make every effort to be flexible and allow privacy regarding wellness activities of their staff.  Staff should post the appointment on their calendar (titled ‘Wellness - Initials’ only) and once approved add it to their manager’s calendar.  Employees should make every effort to be flexible and avoid making appointments, whenever possible, around busy periods of their team. 

 Madison House is not liable for injuries sustained to employees during their voluntary participation in activities pursuant to the Wellness Policy. Before embarking on any physical activity program employees should receive medical clearance from their physician.