FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5217

                                  C 248 L 87

BYSenators Wojahn, Zimmerman, Kreidler, Fleming, Kiskaddon, Lee and Johnson; by request of Department of Personnel

Establishing wellness program for state employees.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on State Government

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

There is growing interest in changing the unhealthy lifestyles many Americans lead.  Research by the Association of Fitness in Business has shown that 70,000 businesses are now providing "wellness" programs for their employees and that these programs have a cost/benefit ratio of 1:3.

The Washington Department of Personnel recently completed a six month study to assess the feasibility and possible design of a wellness program for state employees.  The study recommends that the Department establish a unit to advise and assist other agencies as they develop individual wellness programs.

Employees using similar programs have reported improvements in productivity, greater job satisfaction and higher morale.  Other documented benefits of such programs include reductions in absenteeism, reduction in work-related injuries, lower rates of illness and reduced job-related stress.

SUMMARY:

A policy statement makes clear that the state desires to provide a work environment which promotes employees' general health and welfare.

The Director of the Department of Personnel may develop and implement the state wellness program, which is to include dissemination of materials dealing with wellness and establishing wellness activities.  Under the program, the Department is to provide technical assistance regarding wellness to other state agencies, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the program and publish statistical information.  The Department may develop rules to defray the cost of these activities through charges to participating employees.  No systematic or organized exercise is to be conducted during normal working hours.  All individually identifiable information gathered through participation in the wellness program must be held confidential and cannot be used to jeopardize an employee's job security or employment rights.

The Department of Personnel service fund can be used to administer the wellness program.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    38     8

      House 81  17 (House amended)

      Senate    44     2(Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987