16. Wellness program Phase IIOFFICE OF ADMINI:iTRATIVE SERVICES
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENiUE - CUPERTINO, CA 950'14-3255
C O P E RT I N O TELEPHONE: (406) '~77-3220 • FAX: (406) 777-3366
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No: ~ ~p
Meeting Date: January 12, 2009
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Review and approve Phase II of our Employee Wellness Program.
BACKGROUND
To promote employee wellness, the City of Cupertino has been proactive in providing the
following to all of its full-time employees:
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Annual employee wellness fair including glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol checks;
• Annual, on-site flu shots;
• Monthly newsletter on wellness issues;
• Hand sanitizers at all work stations
In June 2007, the City negotiated a three year contract with our employee groups that included a
wellness program component. Under that agreement, full-time employees received an annual
fitness membership at the Cupertino Sports Center and increased dental cleanings (from 2 to 4
per yeaz). This was a no cost item due to a reduction in the employee "Recreation Buck"
allocation.
Last month, the City met with representatives from OE3 and CEA to discuss additional wellness
program components for this fiscal year. Based on discussions with organizers of successful
programs such as those at Stanford University, it is important to add incentives and frequently
promote and market your program. Where some organizations will pay employees to participate,
the City is proposing a modest credit of up to four hours of a health caze bank per year if the
employee performs certain activities that promote wellness. Such activities are outlined in
Attachment A and reward employees for scheduling an annual physical and key health screening
tests, having their cholesterol and glucose levels within a "healthy range" and participating in
exercise programs. The program, effective January 1, 2009 would require third party verification
of the activity to receive credit and the hours must be used within a two year period. Our intent
is to continue to promote, and rewazd, healthy life:;tyle choices for our employees.
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FISCAL IMPACT
Estimated cost of the program will be the leave accrued by participating employees. If we
assume that the same percentage of employees will embrace this program as those that have
utilized the fitness membership at the Sports Center, our estimated cost will be approximately
$6,000 per year. This cost must then be offset by the benefits derived from the program, which
are difficult to quantify. Most administrators believe that wellness programs reduce sick leave
and stress and provide positive attitudes as employees feel better and/or work out together. If
this incentive program identifies even one employee's health problems on a proactive basis (e.g.
cancer) due to an annual health screening, it could save us well over 400 hours in sick leave and
backfill time, or $22,000, to cover during an employee's absence.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and approve Phase II of our Employee Wellness Program.
Submitted by: Ap ro(~~li--or submission:
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Carol A. Atwood David W. Knapp
Director of Administrative Services City Manager
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Attachment A
City of Cupertino
Wellness 1E'rogram
Possible Program Components
Pre 2008/09
Employee Assistance Program;
Annual Health Fair, including medical screening for glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol;
Annual Fitness Membership for full-time employees at the Cupertino Sports Center;
Dental Hygiene -Increased dental cleanings from two to four per yeaz;
2008/09
Health Leave Bank (one yeaz cazryover, use it or lose it)_ Up to four (4) hours maximum credit
earned per calendar year for the following activities:
- Annual Physical - 1 hour
- Dental Visits - 3rd cleaning per year - '/z hour; 4`r' cleaning per year - '/2 hour
- Workout program -workout 1 O times at a health workout facility - 1 hour
- Participation in acity-sponsored league - 1 hours -with 80% attendance
- HDL/LDL Cholesterol ratio within "healthy range" -'/2 hour
- Glucose within "healthy range" - 1/2 hour
- Bike/walk to work - 1 O times - 1 hour
Promote wellness as follows:
Walking walking club - (lunch time, before or afb.r work) -pedometers for al]
Drop in summer volleyball -organize once-a-week volleyball in the quad
Promote non-city organized weight loss contests
Free exercise tips
Brown bag sessions - vazious health topics
Healthy food potlucks
Soft opening for employees at the Sports Center (new equipment)
Events surrounding the Nat'l Wellness Institutes observance calendaz
January =Healthy Weight Week 1/20-26
February =Heart Health Month
March =National Nutrition Month
April =National Humor Month
May =Clean Air 8r. Correct Posture Month
Other -Distribute awazd program information for health surveys from Blue Shield and others
health plan.
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cc l~lzlDq ~~~
Carol Atwood
From: Pope, Bill [bpope@oe3.org]
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 2:56 PM
To: Carol Atwood
Subject: Wellness Program
OE 3 and its represented members, that work for the City of C~ pertino, support Phase II of the Wellness Program in
concept. OE 3 is looking forward to discussions with the City ors the implementation of this enhanced benefit.
Bill Pope
Business Representative
Operating Engineers Local #3
1654 The Alameda, Suite 110
San Jose, California 95126
Phone 408-289-9691 office
408-210-7235 cell
~ C ~ ~12~D ~ ~1 ~
Grace Schmidt
From: Sandy Abe
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 4:34 PI1A
To: City Clerk
Subject: FW:
Importance: High
From: Susan Winslow
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 4:02 PM
To: Sandy Abe
Cc: Kim Frey; Gary Kornahrens; Susan Lewis
Subject:
Hi Sandy,
The CEA representatives are fine with phase II of the Employee Wellness Program, which includes the health leave bank
and promoting wellness.
Sincerely,
Susan Winslow
CEA President