9.1. SR 03-18-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The philosophy is based on the premise that employee-related expenses such as medical costs and absenteeism are greatly influenced by poor employee health. Much of poor health is driven by poor lifestyle choices. Therefore, to impact employee-related expenses,wellness programming must focus on the root causes of poor health,which are unhealthy behaviors. Current and past city administrators, City Councils, supervisors, and HR made strategic decisions to make a healthy workplace a priority. Salary plans and budgets were created to allow employees to participate in a supporting wage incentive wellness program. Most medical insurance carriers provide employees with disease management, a nurse hotline, and convenience care, and the city can provide employees with an effective, supportive worksite wellness program. The Healthy for Life WIP is an intervention to better reach staff by offering an opportunity for part of their compensation to be affected by a comprehensive wellness program. The city recognizes wellness as a key part to our overall city operations and has implemented a similar program with the Elk River Police Patrol and Sergeant Unions. Licensed police personnel are encouraged to engage in healthy behaviors and demonstrate fitness levels with a Wage Incentive Plan,which was implemented in place of Longevity Steps utilized in many other departments. Those who choose to participate are provided additional pay based upon their degree of participation. Healthy for Life WIP is designed to help employees improve healthy behaviors and to make the overall work culture more supportive of good health practices. The wellness program provides employees with awareness, education,motivation, tools, strategies, supportive policies and social support needed to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors and maximize employee engagement. For every dollar the city spends on wellness programming, there is potential to save two to three times more in health care costs and work productivity. Investment in employees'health and wellness may significantly improve employee health and productivity and reduce employee health care expenses.