Work-Life in the Federal Government
Work-life is the business practice of creating a flexible, supportive environment to engage employees and maximize organizational performance. Well-planned and implemented work-life programs inspire diversity, innovation, and high performance. Key work-life programs in the Federal Government include worksite health and wellness, telework, dependent care, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Worksite Health & Wellness
Worksite health and wellness programs help employees modify their lifestyles and move toward a state of optimal health or wellness. The top five leading causes of death and disability in the United States are not only preventable but also responsive to workplace interventions. As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government has an obligation to offer programs and support mechanisms that protect and improve the overall health of its workforce.
Telework
Telework plays a critical role in maximizing organizational performance by allowing employees to effectively manage their personal and professional responsibilities. In practice, telework is a work arrangement that allows an employee to perform work, during any part of regular, paid hours, at an approved alternative worksite (e.g., home, telework center). On this page, you can find information on the business case for telework, Governmentwide legislation and guidance, and essential resources.
Dependent Care
An increasing number of American employees have the responsibility of caring for a child or adult dependent. It is important the Federal Government offer programs, policies, and initiatives to assist employees who are currently or who will be responsible for providing care to a dependent. On this HRU page, you can find the business case for dependent care program, Governmentwide guidance on program implementation, and essential resources.
Employee Assistance Programs
EAPs provide strategic analysis, recommendations, and consultation throughout an agency to enhance its performance, culture, and business success. These enhancements are accomplished by professionally trained behavioral and/or psychological experts who apply the principles of human behavior with management, employees, and their families, as well as workplace situations to optimize the organization’s human capital. On this HRU page, you can find the business case for EAPs, Governmentwide EAP guidance and initiatives, and essential resources.
It is important to note while these are the most widespread programs, every agency’s work-life program is tailored to meet the unique needs of the organizations and its employees. If you have any specific questions, please contact
worklife@opm.gov.