Article 9
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 well-being. 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 well-being, 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 35 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; or
(5) Provide financial assistance for employees with personal memberships at commercial facilities when the models above are not practical.

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 start-up 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.