Provide Sick Leave

All federal government employees are provided with 104 hours of sick leave annually, separate from annual leave. This leave is accruable throughout an employees career. Additionally the NIH provides access to the NIH leave bank for longer periods of illness.

Employees are encouraged not to report to campus if they are feeling ill, and to utilize their sick leave to recuperate.

Provide Health Benefits

All federal government employees and retirees are provided the opportunity to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, which contains the widest selection of health plans in the country. Including preventative services, immunizations, screenings for things such as cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure, as well as tobacco cessation services and medications.

• For more information: Healthcare & Insurance - FEHB

NIH also provides an ombudsman office that provides free confidential counselling for a qualified professional.

Support Mental Health Recovery

NIEHS, through NIH provides employees with a full-service Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is staffed by professionals with licensure and certification in workplace wellness and behavioral health. EAP is free to all employees and immediate family members. EAP crisis counselling, bereavement counselling, along with other services to enhance personal and professional wellbeing.

Available EAP services. (click to open larger version)

Promote Flu Vaccine

To reduce the incidence of season influenza (flu), NIEHS provides an annual free on-site flu vaccination clinic along with education on good health habits. All federal employees, contrac-tors and trainees are eligible to receive a flu vaccine through the on-site Occupational Health Unit. These vaccines are offered at no cost to employees and are administered on-site during business hours. Employees are notified about the vaccination clinic yearly through All-Hands email communications.

Promote Smoke Free Workplace

Secondhand and thirdhand smoke is detrimental to employee health and wellness. As such. In 2011 the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a policy prohibiting tobacco use on all HHS occupied facilities, both inside and outside. While on the NIEHS campus the use of cigarette, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, or other tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are prohibited at all times. This includes NIEHS owned and leased property, as well as parking areas and private vehicles while on NIEHS property.

NIEHS is a tobacco-free campus.