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 will work cooperatively with the Department in developing wellness/fitness programs for the Department's employees. The Department will share with Local 12 at least annually reports on the current status of its wellness/fitness programs. Local 12 will participate with the Department in identifying employee wellness/fitness needs and developing 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.

Section 4. Fitness Center in Frances Perkins Building

a. The parties agree that the Department shall provide and maintain 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.
b. This Fitness Center shall be managed by the Department of Labor Fitness Association (DOLFA), which was created and exists in accordance with the Federal Personnel Manual, Chapter 252, for the purpose of operating physical fitness, athletic, recreational and other related services, activities and facilities for the mutual benefit of its members for the life of this Agreement. Each party shall designate one (1) representative to serve on the DOLFA Board of Directors.
c. The Department will maintain showers, locker rooms, and an exercise facility elsewhere in the FPB for employees who choose not to belong to the Fitness Center.
d. DOLFA shall be controlled by the dues-paying members of the organization. Members shall have the right to run for office, nominate candidates for office, and vote for officers. DOLFA will charge a basic user fee as established by the Board of Directors, to cover the costs to it of providing basic physical fitness and occupational health programs and other services and accommodations to its members. Changes in the basic user fee are subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a special membership vote.

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.