WORK-LIFE

health & wellness
“

Together, we can improve our health and 

the health of our loved ones.” 

- U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
table of contents

welcome

about the program

the value of supporting wellness

4 health & wellness tips

did you know...
Worksite health & wellness programs can improve the 

quality of life for Federal employees. 

Did you know the leading causes of death and 

disabilities in the United States are preventable? 

Making simple changes can make a big difference in 

your health and happiness. 

Federal worksite health & wellness programs are 

in place to help you modify your lifestyle and move 

toward an optimal state of wellbeing. We are 

committed to providing you with resources and 

solutions to take charge of your own health and 

wellbeing. 

welcome

to worksite health & wellness in the Federal Government
“

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the 

human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and 

prevent disease with nutrition.” 

- THOMAS EDISON
A worksite health & wellness program is a set of programs, policies, 

and environmental supports designed to help you meet your health and 

wellness needs and maximize organizational performance. 

Elements of these programs include but are not limited to agency policies, 

educational materials and events, physical activity opportunities, lifestyle 

counseling, screenings, assessments, and immunizations. They address a 

wide range of health needs, such as:

• tobacco cessation

• nutrition

• physical activity

• weight management

• supports for nursing mothers

• stress management

• depression

• high blood pressure

• high cholesterol

• diabetes

• vaccine-preventable diseases

To be successful, a worksite health & wellness program needs participation 

and support from employees, managers, and senior leaders.

about the program

“

the value of 

supporting wellness

An ounce of prevention is 

worth a pound of cure.” 

- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Worksite health & wellness programs provide significant benefits for 

Federal agencies and employees.

benefits for agencies

• Reduces healthcare costs 

• Reduces the need for unscheduled leave

• Reduces presenteeism (working while sick)

• Improves productivity

• Improves employee engagement

• Improves recruitment and retention 

• Improves organizational brand and culture

• Reduces workers compensation and disability management 

 claims costs

benefits for employees

• Improves health and wellbeing

• Reduces risks for developing preventable chronic diseases

• Improves self-esteem

• Decreases the health-related expenses for employees
1

2

get regular check-ups and immunizations. 

It’s time to take charge of your health! Regular health examines 

can identify problems before they start. Getting recommended 

vaccinations is one of the best ways to avoid serious effects of 

certain diseases and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such 

as the flu. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider 

to discuss what screenings, exams, and immunizations you need 

and when you need them. 

eat healthy. 

Set goals to eat a variety of nutritious foods, and use nutrition facts 

labels to make smart food choices. When possible, plan your meals 

and snacks in advance to avoid getting too hungry and indulging 

in unhealthy options. Keep healthy snacks, such as fruits and 

vegetables, at your workplace and make an effort to drink water 

often to stay hydrated. Last, but not least, block off 30 minutes each 

day to walk away from your workstation and eat a healthy meal. 

You’ll come back refreshed and re-energized.

4 health & wellness tips for e
3

4

get up and move.

Long periods of sitting over time can take a toll on your health. Set 

a reminder on your phone or calendar to get up regularly during 

the day and stretch, and/or incorporate natural prompts into your 

work day, such as standing up when you answer the phone. When 

possible, suggest walking meetings instead of seated conference 

room meetings, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and make a 

commitment to physical activity by scheduling walks, runs, or other 

forms of exercise with interested colleagues during lunch breaks or 

before or after work.

manage stress.

You can’t always avoid tensions that occur on the job, but you can 

take steps to manage work-related stress. Do your best to make 

healthy choices when you feel the tension rise, such as going for 

a walk, enjoying a meal, meditating, or taking a few deep breaths. 

Have an open conversation with your supervisor, trusted friends, 

and family members to come up with an effective plan for managing 

stressors, and seek stress management resources available through 

the Employee Assistance Program.

employees
did you know...

Federal employees who work full-time 

typically spend approximately onethird of their day working, 5 days per 

week. Participating in the worksite 

health & wellness program can make it 

easier to integrate healthy choices and 

behavior into your day.

- U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease 

and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, 

chronic lung diseases) are responsible 

for 7 of 10 deaths each year, and 

treating people with chronic diseases 

accounts for 86% of our nation’s health 

care costs.

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Eating healthy can 

help reduce people’s 

risk for heart disease, 

high blood pressure, 

diabetes, osteoporosis, 

and several types of 

cancer, as well as help 

them maintain a healthy 

body weight.

- National Prevention 

Strategy

did you know...
Engaging in regular physical activity 

is one of the most important things 

that people of all ages can do to 

improve their health. Physical activity 

strengthens bones and muscles, 

reduces stress and depression, and 

makes it easier to maintain a healthy 

body weight or to reduce weight if 

overweight or obese.

-National Prevention Strategy

Tobacco users who quit greatly 

reduce their risk for disease 

and premature death, improve 

their health and quality of 

life, and increase their life 

expectancy. All Federal 

Employee Health Benefits 

plans offer 100% coverage to 

help you quit once and for all. 

- U.S. Office of Personnel 

Management

Many of the people who 

are at high risk for heart 

attack or stroke don’t know 

it. The good news is that 

many of the major risks for 

these conditions can be 

prevented and controlled 

through healthy lifestyle 

changes.

- Million Hearts®

Preventing disease before it starts is 

critical to helping people live longer, 

healthier lives and keeping health care 

costs down.

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention
more information

Contact your local HR office to find your agency 

Worksite Health & Wellness Coordinator or search 

OPM’s Work-Life Contact Tool available at: 

https://www.opm.gov/CCLContact/.

Additional information is available at 

www.opm.gov/worklife.