Wellness Time

Amended: 11/07/2023

Provided by: Department of Human Resources

Related Links and Resources

• Collective bargaining agreements  
• Faculty: Faculty should refer to the handbook of their primary school affiliation for guidance.  
• Postdoctoral Scholars Handbook

This policy applies to all staff, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, or any other members of the Tufts community who are paid directly by Tufts University, or who work under faculty or postdoctoral scholar handbooks, excluding those who are otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Use of Paid Sick Time for Wellness Activities (“Wellness Time”)

To help you participate in the university’s wellness initiatives, if you are a full-time employee or part-time employee that regularly works more than 17.5 hours per week and who has completed your three-month trial period you may use up to eight (8) hours of accrued sick time per calendar year to participate in approved wellness activities (“Wellness Time”). Wellness Time hours are pro-rated for if you are a part-time employee. The use of Wellness Time should not result in overtime for non-exempt staff.

For the purpose of this policy, a wellness activity is defined as participation in a university-sponsored health history risk assessment or comprehensive health review, wellness plan development with a university-approved health coach or participation in a Tufts University sponsored wellness activity.

Eligibility to Use Wellness Time

You may use or be advanced Wellness Time. If you are requesting Wellness Time you are expected to coordinate with your manager or supervisor to ensure business needs are met and any impact to the department is minimized. Wellness Time provided for wellness activities does not reduce your overall workload or duties. Typically, to participate in wellness related activities, you need to take approximately 60-75 minutes of Wellness Time away from your assigned work unless coordinated with your breaks or before or after your work schedule.