Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER:
G-62
GENERAL ORDER
RESCINDS: General Order #46
SUBJECT: Employee Wellness Program
EFFECTIVE: December 10, 2015
REVISED:
ACCREDITATION STANDARDS:
Table of Contents:
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Discussion
IV. Policy
V. Physical Ability Testing (Entry Level)
VI. On Duty Personal Fitness Conditioning
VII. Employee Wellness Events
VIII. Physicals and Health Screenings
IX. Wellness Committee
X. Voluntary Incentive Program
I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this general order is to encourage health and fitness for the Seminole County Sheriff’s
Office in an effort to promote and encourage safety and well-being of all personnel.
II. SCOPE:
This general order shall apply to all personnel.
III. DISCUSSION:
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office considers physical health to be an essential aspect of the law
enforcement and corrections function. Employees must be sufficiently fit to perform under adverse
conditions, pursue and subdue subjects, and appropriately protect and defend themselves and citizens.
Additionally, it is widely accepted that physical fitness promotes self-esteem and increases employee
confidence and professional bearing.
Sufficient evidence supports that benefits from participation in a health and fitness program include the
following:
A. Regular physical exercise reduces the effects of stress on the human body.
GENERAL ORDER
Employee Wellness
GO-62 PAGE 1 OF 4\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nB. A physically fit employee is less susceptible to common injuries, and, if injured, tends to recover
more rapidly.
C. Specific physical and mental health risks, such as heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic disorders and
anxiety, are less likely to occur in individuals who exercise on a regular basis.
D. Physically fit employees tend to perform their duties with greater ease and tend to utilize less sick-
leave.
IV. POLICY:
To ensure the safety and well-being of its employees, the Sheriff’s Office will provide an Employee
Wellness Program. The Employee Wellness Program will be coordinated by the Wellness Program
Manager.
V. PHYSICAL ABILITY TESTING (ENTRY LEVEL)
The goal of entry-level testing is to identify applicants for certified positions who are sufficiently physically
fit to perform essential physical job functions.
A. The Wellness Program Manager, or designee, is responsible for testing job applicants.
B. All job applicants shall present a completed Physician’s Clearance to Test form to the Human
Resources Division before participating in the Physical Ability Test.
C. Applicants will be given instructions immediately before the test is administered. Instruction will
cover the proper methods required to take the test with special emphasis regarding safety.
D. Applicants are required to successfully complete the test within the allotted time. Although the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement recognizes a time standard based on their research, the
Sheriff’s Office will acknowledge its own normative standard if that standard becomes more
restrictive.
E. There will be one normative standard for Deputies and another for Detention Deputies. These
standards will be based on the testing conducted specific to each area of enforcement.
F. Testing will be administered, scored, evaluated, and interpreted in a uniform manner.
VI. ON DUTY PERSONAL FITNESS CONDITIONING:
In order to encourage all employees to improve fitness levels, they will be allowed to use on-duty time to
participate in personal fitness conditioning.
The following restrictions will apply:
A. Prior to being granted permission to participate in on-duty personal fitness conditioning,
employees must complete the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Employee Wellness Program
Waiver and Release Form Liability Employee Form and submit it to the Wellness Program
Manager.
B. Permission to participate in on-duty personal fitness conditioning will be contingent upon his/her
Supervisor’s discretion. The Supervisor must consider appropriate or mandatory staffing levels,
operational requirements, workout facilities close to the employees assigned work area, and
general workload.
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Employee Wellness
GO-62 PAGE 2 OF 4\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nC. The time allowed for on-duty personal fitness conditioning shall be limited to his/her Supervisor’s
discretion.
D. Employees may use private exercise facilities and public gyms/locations, as well as county
facilities, during on-duty personal fitness conditioning time. While exercising in a public or
private location, personnel may not openly carry a firearm or other weapons (and related gear)
unless properly attired in a uniform and/or displaying visible law enforcement insignia, as defined
in the written directives. Employees must use good judgment with regard to attire, operational
readiness, and public perception.
1. Employees desiring to use the Seminole County Five Points Wellness Center must first
obtain an access card from the Professional Standards Division.
2. Employees may not use the lockers at public gyms/locations to secure agency firearms or
weapons.
E. To prevent injury, employees will seek assistance and/or instruction from the Wellness Program
Manager or a qualified practitioner with equipment or techniques for which they are unfamiliar.
VII. EMPLOYEE WELLNESS EVENTS
In order to support and guide employees in fitness, nutrition, and stress management, seasonal initiatives
and/or programs will be offered to all employees throughout the year. These programs will be coordinated
by the Wellness Program Manager.
The following restrictions will apply:
A. Prior to participating in an Employee Wellness Event, on or off duty, employees must complete
the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Employee Wellness Program Waiver and Release Form
Liability Employee Form and submit it to the Wellness Program Manager.
B. Permission to participate in an Employee Wellness Event while on-duty will be contingent upon
the employee’s supervisor’s discretion as to workload and needs.
VIII. PHYSICALS AND HEALTH SCREENINGS:
A. Prospective employees will be provided physicals or health screenings as part of the application
process.
B. Employees will be offered health screenings on an annual basis, as funding permits. The Director
of Human Resources/designee will coordinate and schedule based on availability of the
screenings.
C. Employees may also utilize agency provided health insurance for annual health
screenings/physicals. Each employee will be responsible for scheduling physicals and meeting the
co-payment requirements.
IX. WELLNESS COMMITTEE
A. The Wellness Committee is established to provide direct feedback from employees to the
Wellness Program Manager. The Wellness Committee Chairperson is the Wellness Program
Manager.
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Employee Wellness
GO-62 PAGE 3 OF 4\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nB. The Wellness Committee input will be utilized to develop and grow the Employee Wellness
Program.
C. The Wellness Committee will be made up of representatives from all departments within the
Sheriff’s Office.
D. All employees are permitted to become members of the Wellness Committee subject to approval
by the Wellness Program Manager.
E. The chairperson is responsible for providing the meeting minutes and any reports to the Sheriff,
through the chain of command, and Captain of the Professional Standards Division.
X. VOLUNTARY INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
The goal of this program is to provide all employees opportunity to enhance their present level of physical
fitness.
A. Prior to participation, it is recommended that employees have an annual physical examination,
including blood work. This gives them an opportunity to discuss problems with their personal
physician, as well as learning what areas of their personal health can be improved by modifying
their lifestyle.
B. The program is voluntary, and is up to each employee to decide whether or not to take part.
C. Employees must be screened before testing. Employees will complete a Physical Activity
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