Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employee Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee moves Healthy Employee Lifestyle program from Health to Transformation and Shared Services
Summary
Senators approved transferring the state's Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program from the Department of Health to the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to integrate wellness into employee benefits administration; the program costs about $1 million annually and awards up to three days of leave per 12‑month period.
Sen. Missy Irvin said legislation to transfer the Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program from the Arkansas Department of Health to Transformation and Shared Services would allow the program to be evaluated alongside the state’s broader employee benefits package.
Irvin described the program, started in 2005, as an incentive program that allows employees to earn points for healthy activities such as exercise, smoking cessation and nutrition programs; employees can exchange points for up to three days of leave in a 12‑month period. Agency testimony said the program has been in operation for about 20 years and costs approximately $1,000,000 per year.
Kaye Barnhill, state personnel director for Transformation and Shared Services, and Leslie Fiskin said the agency will systemize administration, update software and seek to increase engagement across state departments if the program is moved.
The committee passed the transfer by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded.
