CHC Worksite Wellness Policy
Policy Statement: The CSU, Chico Research Foundation’s Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion (CHC) has implemented the following Worksite Wellness Policy as a means to model healthy corporate behavior and our commitment to the health and well-being of our interns, staff and administrators.
Purpose
CHC strives to promote health and wellness in the north state and serves as a role model when selecting and consuming healthy food and beverages and incorporating safe physical activity throughout the work day and at CHC-sponsored on-site or off-site events, meetings or activities. By following these guidelines we can promote better health and safety, while helping reduce risks for injury and chronic diseases and modeling healthy professional behavior while representing CHC.
Scope
All CHC interns, staff and administrators are expected to follow the Worksite Wellness Policy unless approved in advance by upper management due to medical, religious or cultural reasons.
A. Food & Beverage Guidelines
The following policies and guidelines were designed to make the healthy food and beverage choice the easy choice, while being supportive of the individual right to choose. These guidelines are not intended to dictate what individual staff members eat or drink. Instead, we want to ensure that healthy options are available at CHC events and assist CHC interns, staff and administrators in making healthy choices when purchasing these items for CHC meetings, trainings and events.
When food and beverages are provided to others at meetings the selection should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, nonfat or low fat dairy products, lean meats, water, tea, coffee and/or 100% fruit juice/smoothies. CHC interns, staff and administrators are encouraged to:
· Offer culturally appropriate foods & beverages
· Purchase produce from local farmers and/or farmers markets
· Offer locally produced food
· Offer fiber-rich foods
· Offer water as the main beverage of choice
· Include whole grain products
· Limit foods that have trans-fats
· Limit foods that have added salt and/or sugar
· Accommodate special dietary needs
Because of our commitment to role model healthy behavior, CHC interns, staff and administrators need to take into consideration their location (in the office or in the field) and target audience when bringing food and beverages for their own consumption. The following foods and beverages are discouraged in the field and in the office:
· Sugar-sweetened beverages
· Energy drinks (coffee and tea ok)
· Fast food packaging
· Candy or candy bars
· Juice drinks that are not 100% juice
In addition to modeling healthy eating behaviors, CHC interns, staff and administrators need to take into consideration their food handling practices. When bringing foods to CHC functions, the following safety procedures should be observed:
· Complete and thorough hand-washing procedures
· Keep hot food above 135®F
· Keep cold food below 41®F
· Sanitize and thoroughly clean equipment used
All of these precautions prevent cross-contamination and promote healthy practices for all CHC interns, staff and administrators.
B. Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines:
CHC interns, staff and administrators are encouraged to create opportunities for movement at CHC meetings and events, such as “walking meetings” and PA breaks. CHC interns, staff and administrators are encouraged to:
· Participate in worksite wellness programs and activities
· Include a designated 5-minute PA break as standard practice for any meeting lasting 90 minutes or longer
· Decrease opportunities for sedentary behavior by conducting “walking meetings” and/or standing up during telephone calls or webinars
· Build physical activity into their day by getting to/from work via other means that promote physical activity, such as walking or biking
o For safety reasons, CHC interns, staff and administrators are strongly encouraged to wear a properly fitting helmet when bicycling. If they are unable to purchase a helmet for any reason, they may consult their supervisor who can assist with the purchase of an appropriate helmet.
· Take regular “Stretch or PA Breaks” when seated in the office for more than 90 minutes
· Utilize ergonomically appropriate office furniture and supplies
· Make use of the sporting equipment in Suite 101 as appropriate
C. Breastfeeding Support Guidelines
CHC recognizes the health advantages of breastfeeding for babies, mothers and society at large. Breastfeeding CHC interns, staff and administrators shall be permitted flexible scheduling for the expressing of breast milk. As the frequency and duration of each break may vary, the supervisor and intern or staff member will agree upon a plan. For as long as the breastfeeding mother requires it, CHC will provide a space that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public with an electrical outlet to express milk.* A bathroom, even if private, is not a permissible designated space. CHC will aim to also provide a refrigerated area to store expressed breast milk and a sink with hot water that is not in a bathroom. Breastfeeding children are welcome to come to the CHC office to breastfeed while the mother is working.
* The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”) mandates that employers provide employees with reasonable break time in a private place, other than a bathroom, to express breast milk for one year following the birth of their child.
D. Supporting Working Families
CHC supports working parents and encourages families to enjoy healthy active time together. There may be circumstances where CHC interns, staff and administrators are unable to come into the office during typical business hours and may work at home during or after business hours, as permitted by upper management. For more information on working at home, see the CHC Guidance on Working at Home.
Location: CHC Admin:\Policies & Procedures\Operational Policies\Worksite Wellness
4/8/2015