SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5217

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1987; February 11, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 18, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 9, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Deccio, Fleming, Kreidler, Lee, Moore, Owen, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Charles Langen (786-7715)

                  April 17, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

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 is to develop and implement the state wellness program, including:  (a) disseminate materials regarding wellness, and establish wellness activities; (b) provide technical assistance regarding wellness to other state agencies; (c) monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the program and publish statistical information.

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.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS: Leonard Nord, Department of Personnel, Julia Graham, Department of Personnel; Scott Sigmon, Washington Federation of State Employees; Les Brown, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Health and Sports; Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board; Fred Hellberg, Governor's Office

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS: No one

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

Development of the wellness program by the Department of Personnel is made discretionary rather than mandatory.  The Department is also authorized to develop standards by which agencies sponsoring wellness activities may charge a fee to employees participating in these activities in order to help defray costs.

Language is added which stipulates that activities involving organized or systematic exercise may not be conducted during normal working hours.