San Mateo County - A DRAFT County Wellness Policy

San Mateo County in California has a draft policy proposal floating for County Government Employees.  In one section that covers manager and supervisor responsibilities, it reads:

"MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS:

In addition to the items listed under “Employees”

-- Be a role model in taking care of one’s own health;

-- Encourage and promote healthy lifestyle choices at work;

-- Support strategies that enable employees to better balance work and personal demands;

-- Encourage “walking” meetings with staff;

-- Actively develop management skills that contribute to fostering a healthy work environment, healthy work culture and healthy work relationships;

-- Assure that the meeting guidelines for nutrition and physical activity are adhered to (especially if responsible for meetings, conferences or trainings);

-- Include “health and well-being” as an acceptable criterion for any flexible work arrangement request;

--Within operational considerations and with sufficient employee interest, facilitate and actively support the provision of employee health & wellness services at the worksites (exercise classes, weight watchers, massage therapist, onsite produce delivery, etc);

-- Consider establishing pre-work stretching programs and/or other department physical activity program(s) to improve physical health and reduce injuries;

-- Encourage employees doing repetitive work (e.g. intensive computer use) to take regular breaks to do alternate work."  #

Clearly this draft proposal demonstrates the recognition of the importance that wellness and healthy choices play in the work environment and lives of families.   A North Carolina Wellness Policy posting, likewise gives recognition to similar values for wellness initiatives.