Employee Wellness Program

The County of Los Angeles prides itself as a leader in public sector employment.  As an employer concerned with both employee well-being and organizational efficiency, offering a Countywide Wellness Program is critical.   The goal of the County’s Wellness Program is to improve the health and productivity of County employees and lessen their health-related costs, mainly by helping employees change their lifestyle patterns through wellness initiatives. 

Since the middle 1990’s, the Department of Human Resources (DHR) has offered a Countywide Wellness Program.  Renewed efforts to strengthen the program began in early 2007.  To be successful, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Personnel issued a call to action in September 2007 to all County Department Heads.  It included asking departments to appoint a Wellness Manager.  The focus of the Wellness Manager is to help employees change their lifestyles and behavioral choices to make positive changes in their health status by providing wellness activities and program information to better health. 

As outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the County and SEIU Local 721 agreed to cooperate in developing an employee wellness program called “My Health is My Wealth.”  A negotiated joint labor-management subcommittee on Employee Wellness coordinates worksite wellness activities.  Working with Local 721 in the subcommittee, the “My Health Is My Wealth” program uses County-sponsored health plans internet-based online programs.  Employees are able to take a Health Risk Assessment, complete Healthy Lifestyle programs, and take part in walking programs.  The health plans provide small cash rewards for completing these programs.

DHR kicked off a similar carrier-based program for non-represented employees and Kaiser’s program for employees represented by the Coalition of County Unions.  Click here for a list of County-sponsored health plan web sites.

In addition, DHR plans and coordinates many other activities including free monthly lunchtime seminars presented by the County’s medical and dental carriers and the CEO, Employee Assistance Program.  Seminars take place at noon at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Room B-62.  Employees are welcome to enjoy their lunch during the seminar.  Click here to see a schedule of Healthy Connections seminars.

Also at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Room B-62, classes such as yoga, Pilates, and salsa dancing are available on certain weekdays at lunchtime or after work.  Click here to see the current schedule of exercise classes.

On the second Wednesday of every month UnitedHealthcare presents a lunchtime wellness Webinar at noon on a healthy topic, such as asthma, better nutrition, diabetes, stress management, and weight control.  Employees may access these interactive Webinars via the Internet and a telephone.  Click here to see the schedule of Webinars. 

DHR with the joint Labor-Management Advisory Committee on Productivity Enhancement, in a collaborative effort coordinates multivendor Wellness Fairs.  Wellness Fairs are a comfortable way for employees to collect valuable health information.  The Fairs encourage employees to go to their doctors regularly and be responsible for their health.

Screenings and activities provided include:

Click here to see a schedule of the Wellness Fairs. 

Click here for a list of discounts and programs offered through County-sponsored medical plans.

For more information on any of these wellness programs, please drop an e-mail to: ebenefit@hr.lacounty.gov