To allow departments to establish work place fitness programs.
Where there is significant employee interest and a reasonable cost option has
been determined to the satisfaction of the deputy head, departments may sponsor
work place fitness programs.
This policy applies to voluntary fitness programs in departments and agencies
listed under Schedule I, Part I, of the Public Service Staff Relations Act.
Departments electing to sponsor work place fitness programs must:
- accept responsibility for the payment of all costs of the fitness program,
including fit-up, operating and maintenance costs for the facilities associated
with the program. In addition, departments that do not pay rent for their
accommodation must pay to the custodian department providing their
accommodation, the market value of the space dedicated to the fitness program.
One time costs, and ongoing costs related to the space shall be paid directly to
the custodian department in the first year. For the following years, an amount
equivalent to the annual market value of the space utilized, including any
associated operating costs, must be transferred to the custodian department
through the MYOP process;
- ensure that user fees cover, or recover, incremental operating costs (e.g.
special maintenance and security, exercise equipment, insurance, instructor
training, staff salaries, etc.) where these are significant;
- ensure that work to set up facilities is authorized by custodian
departments and any lease arrangement with third parties for space is made with
custodian departments;
- ensure that these programs meet reasonable safety guidelines as advised by
the Fitness/Active Living Unit of Health Canada (e.g. health history screening,
consent forms indicating that participants accept the normal risks inherent in
and incidental to fitness activities, competent instructors, the availability of
first aid); and
- ensure that commercial contractors, if any, have adequate liability
insurance.
Treasury Board Secretariat will periodically review the extent to which
departments are respecting the requirements of this policy.
Risk Management policy
Policy on Indemnification of servants of the Crown Volunteers policy
Claims policy
Program management guidelines and recommendations are available from the
Fitness/Active Living Unit of Health Canada.
Enquiries about this policy should be directed to the responsible officers in
departmental headquarters who, in turn, may seek interpretation from:
On general policy issues
Safety, Health, Employee Benefits and Services Group
Human Resources Management Division
Human Resources Branch
Treasury Board Secretariat
On real property issues
Real Property Management
Comptrollership Branch
Treasury Board Secretariat
On financial issues
Expenditure & Management Strategies Sector
Treasury Board Secretariat
On risk management issues
Risk Procurement and Asset Management Policy Sector
Comptrollership Branch
Treasury Board Secretariat
For information and advice on workplace fitness programs contact
Fitness/Active Living Unit
Health Canada
7th Floor, Jeanne Mance Building
Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator 1907C1
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1B4
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