Article 11
Employee Wellness
Section 1. General
The Department and Local 12 agree that the well-being of Department of Labor
employees is a mutual interest of fundamental importance. Accordingly, we are
mutually committed to maintaining a healthy, quality work environment for those
employees and to promoting and fostering programs which will enhance their wellbeing.
The Department, within budgetary limitations, operates a health services
program and wellness/physical fitness programs. To the extent of its authority and
resources, the Department is committed to providing a quality work environment
for its employees. The Department and Local 12 recognize that some of the
activities envisioned in this Article may involve voluntary employee financial
contributions, in part or whole. While the Department and Local 12 are committed
to these activities as positive contributions to employees’ well-being, job
performance, and productivity, they agree that employee wellness is ultimately the
individual responsibility of each employee.
Section 2. Health Services Program
a. The Department has established, within budgetary limitations, a Health
Services Program according to guidelines and procedures specified in
Department of Labor Manual Series (DLMS) 4, Chapter 800. Various health
services may be provided to the Department’s employees through the
Program including periodic medical screening for early detection of potential
health problems such as diabetes, visual defects, glaucoma, hearing
defects, etc.; immunizations; periodic medical examinations for employees
whose work is a source of health risk; and biennial health maintenance
examinations.
b. Biennial employee health maintenance examinations will be offered to
employees age forty (40) and over, within budgetary limitations. Priority
will be given to those employees applying for the first time. After this,
priority will be given to employees on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Employee participation will be voluntary. Results of the examination will be
furnished only to the employee and/or to a private physician designated by
the employee in writing.
c. The Department will advise employees periodically of the availability of such
periodic medical screening and health maintenance examinations so that
those eligible employees who are interested may apply. At least two (2)
weeks will be allowed for employees to respond to notices for health
maintenance exams.
Section 3. Wellness/Fitness Programs
a. The Department and Local 12 are mutually committed to the concept of
wellness and fitness programs as a valuable means of enhancing the wellbeing,
and thereby, the performance and productivity of the Department’s
employees. In addition to the more traditional medical services provided by
the Department, wellness programs can provide counseling and assistance
to employees on health issues such as life style, nutrition, avoidance of
harmful substances, and positive mental health. Fitness programs are
developed as one component of the Department’s overall commitment to
employee wellness.
b. Local 12 and the Department will work cooperatively under the forums
provided for in Article 40 to identify employee wellness/fitness needs and
develop the programs which will address those needs. The Department will
notify Local 12 prior to implementing any new programs according to their
normal notification procedure.
c. Because of the variety of work locations of employees in the Washington,
D.C., metropolitan area, various physical fitness/wellness program models
will be developed to meet employee needs. These models may, within
budgetary limitations, do any of the following:
(1) Coordinate with other local Federal Agencies to establish a joint
program;
(2) Establish a program or fitness center for DOL employees only;
(3) Obtain a group contract with a commercial facility;
(4) Negotiate a corporate rate for employees with a commercial facility;
(5) Provide financial assistance for employees with personal
memberships at commercial facilities when the models above are not
practical; or
(6) To the extent possible, these programs will be tailored to the unique
conditions at each work location.
d. The Department and Local 12 agree that the costs for wellness/fitness
programs will normally be shared by participating employees with the
Department. The Department’s funding formula, which sets a limit per
participating employee for the Department’s share, will apply both to startup
costs for new programs and recurring costs for established programs. As
the amount of Federal funds available to support Federal fitness/wellness
programs is limited, it is agreed that the Department will periodically review
the formula for determining the amount of funds available for this purpose.
The reason for periodically reviewing the formula is to ensure that the
Department will share with participating employees the costs associated
with establishing and maintaining viable physical fitness/wellness programs.
e. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of fitness/wellness programs.
New employees should be informed about the availability of fitness/wellness
programs during orientation.
f. The fitness facilities are to be used by an employee only while on approved
leave or during non-work time.
Section 4. Fitness Facilities in Frances Perkins Building
The parties agree that, within budgetary limitations, the Department shall continue
to provide a fitness center, including space, office equipment, supplies, telephones,
and maintenance services in the Frances Perkins Building (FPB) on the Service
Level (SL-7). All such equipment and services shall be for the duration of the
Agreement.
Section 5. Other Fitness Programs
Fitness programs negotiated for all other DOL work locations will continue in
effect.
Section 6. Renegotiation
If a shortage of funds or Department mission priorities require changes in the
Department’s support of Fitness Centers, negotiations on this Article may be
reopened at the request of either party.
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