EMS TRANSMISSION 06/15/2007

Instruction Memorandum 2007-135

Expires: 09/30/2008

 

To:                   All ADs, SDs, and CDs

Attn: Human Resources Officers

 

From:               Assistant Director, Human Capital Management

 

Subject:            Fitness Membership Fee Reimbursement Program

 

Program Area: Human Resources - Worklife Programs

Purpose: The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to update and replace the previously issued IM No. 2002-185 and IM No. 2002-185, Change 1, which expired September 30, 2003, regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) policy on the fitness membership fee reimbursement program.

 

Policy/Action: In an effort to promote and maintain the physical and mental fitness of our employees through a health services program, each Assistant Director, State and Center Director is authorized to implement a fitness membership fee reimbursement program which reimburses 50 percent (up to $275 annually) of an individual’s membership fee for a commercial, non-federally sponsored, fitness center.

 

Timeframe: This policy is effective immediately.

 

Budget Impact:  Subject to budgetary constraints, the cost for the physical fitness program will be the responsibility of each Assistant Director, State Director or Center Director. This is a local responsibility and should be made against a single funding source to facilitate annual program reporting.

 

Background: The importance of maintaining a healthy and fit Federal workforce was first recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1946 with the passage of Section 7901 of Title 5, United States Code, authorizing agencies to establish within the limits of appropriations available, health programs to promote and maintain physical and mental fitness for Federal employees. Under this authority, agencies established health units to provide health services to employees. By the 1970’s, health and fitness programs began to flourish.

 

By 1987, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the General Services Administration (GSA) amended their regulations to make it clear that agencies were able, subject to budgetary constraints, to expend appropriated funds to establish or support health fitness programs for their employees.

 

Manual/Handbook Affected: None

Coordination: This policy was coordinated with the National Business Center in Denver, Colorado.

Contact:  If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Ware, Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations) on (202) 208-6262.

 

 

4 Attachments

     1 - BLM Fitness Fitness Membership Fee Reimbursement Program Guidelines (3 pp)

     2 - Informed Consent and Waiver Form (1 p)

     3 - Report of Taxable Fringe Benefit (Fitness Center Reimbursement Fees) (1 p)
     4 - Self-Certification of Usage (1 p)