State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  99-020

  DATE:
  April 13, 1999

  TO:
  Health and Safety Officers
  Personnel Officers
  Wellness Coordinators

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Benefits Division

  SUBJECT:
  Employee Health and Fitness

  CONTACT:
  Barbara Gerletti, Statewide Wellness Coordinator
  (916) 324-9398, CALNET 454-9398
  FAX: (916) 322-3769
  OFFICE VISION:  DPA(barbaragerletti)
  INTERNET: barbaragerletti@DPA.CA.GOV


  National Employee Health and Fitness Month, the largest 
  worksite health and fitness event in the United States, 
  will be celebrated during the month of May by thousands of 
  companies, community organizations, national health 
  organizations, universities and schools.  Whether you 
  celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness one day, one 
  week, one month, or even better year round, the goal is to 
  encourage participation and motivate your employees to have 
  fun, stay healthy and be physically active. 
  
  In recognition of National Employee Health and Fitness, 
  Governor Gray Davis has proclaimed Wednesday, May 19, 1999 
  as "Employee Health and Fitness Day in California."  (A 
  copy of the Proclamation is attached.)  The Governor is 
  asking public and private sector employers throughout the 
  state to join in National Employee Health and Fitness 
  events.  Events such as this are supportive of the 
  statewide wellness program, under the leadership of the 
  Department of Personnel Administration (DPA), established 
  by Executive Order 
  W-119-95.
  
  DPA encourages the management and staff of all departments 
  to support and promote physical fitness of the work force 
  by organizing healthy, fun, and noncompetitive activities.  
  Although participation in these activities is voluntary, 
  experience has shown that employees enjoy creative and 
  convenient on-site wellness events.  Participation in 
  fitness and wellness events and programs is increased when 
  departments allow lunch-time and break-period flexibility 
  for optimum employee participation.  Listed below are 
  several resources and activities for consideration.
  
  Group walking (possibly led by departmental director or 
  division chiefs)
  Group stretching exercises (reference books are available 
  in the DPA Wellness Resource Library for suggested 
  exercises)
  A taste test or bake sale of low-fat snacks (ask 
  employees to bring their favorites with recipes to share)
  Stair walking
  Brown bag presentation by a health professional (utilize 
  local non-profit agencies such as the American Heart 
  Association, American Cancer Society, health plans, etc.)
  Noon-time aerobics
  Health videos (videos available in the DPA Wellness 
  Resource Library)
  
  American Heart Association Walking Kit
  
  The American Heart Association (AHA) has developed a pre-
  packaged walking program called "Walk Your Way to a Healthy 
  Heart."  To help encourage your employees to start a 
  walking program, the kit contains everything you need to 
  give a walking clinic such as posters, promotional, and 
  instructional materials.
  
  The asking price for this kit is $12.00, plus shipping and 
  handling.  As a special offer for state departments, the 
  AHA will provide the kits for the wholesale cost of $7.10, 
  plus shipping and handling.  Many state departments have 
  purchased the kit in past years and have had great success 
  with the program.  In the greater Sacramento area, you may 
  call (916) 446-6505 to inquire about the kit.  For areas 
  outside of Sacramento, please contact the local chapter of 
  the AHA.
  
  Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
  
  For several years, the California Governor's Council on 
  Physical Fitness and Sports and the National Association of 
  Governors' Councils presented an Annual Employee Health and 
  Fitness Fair on the west steps of the State Capitol.  Due 
  to a variety of factors, the Council has recently decided 
  it will not be able to present the Fitness Fair this May.  
  Nonetheless, the Council continues its strong support and 
  encouragement for public- and private-sector organizations 
  to participate in the National Employee Health and Fitness 
  month.  The Council is looking forward to presenting a fair 
   
  or other type of fitness event in the late summer or early 
  fall of 1999. For more information about the Council or the 
  proposed event, please call Jim Purvis at (916) 654-9514 or 
  e-mail him at jpurvis@edd.ca.gov.
  
  If you have specific questions regarding the statewide 
  effort, please call Barbara Gerletti, Statewide Wellness 
  Coordinator, at (916) 324-9398 or CALNET 454-9398, or 
  access DPA's Benefits website at www.dpa.ca.gov.
  
  
  
  Kathie Vaughn, Chief
  Benefits Division
  
  cc:  Department Directors
  
  
  
  Attachments will be distributed via mail.