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Santa Fe reports high take-up, mixed cost signals from two-year employee wellness pilot
Summary
City staff reported strong enrollment and regular use of a two-year pilot giving employees weekly fitness/mental-health leave and a yearly wellness day; councilors asked for more cost, attendance and equity data before deciding whether to extend or make the policy permanent.
Alvin Valdez, the city’s benefits and wellness manager, told the Santa Fe governing body on the pilot program that the temporary rules (Rule 13.91 and Rule 13.92 of the Santa Fe personnel rules and regulations) produced broad participation in fiscal year 2024.
Valdez said 305 employees enrolled in the weekly two-hour fitness/mental-wellness leave and 303 used it at least once during FY24. “We came up with 9,788 times,” he said, referring to the number of clock-outs recorded for the weekly leave, which he said averaged about 32.3 uses per enrolled employee over the year. He said the city also collected voluntary health metrics and two detailed personal testimonials from employees who reported weight loss and clinical improvements.
The pilot began July 1, 2023, and applied to full‑time, part‑time, exempt and term employees after a six‑month probationary period. Employees could use the weekly leave as four half‑hour…
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