Wellness Program Added to County Employee Contract

County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Montgomery County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO) included employee wellness provisions in a recently negotiated contract agreement based on the recommendations of the county Task Force on Employee Wellness, which was formed last year by Councilman George Leventhal.

"The only effective way to bend the cost curve for healthcare is to reduce utilization and the best way to do that is to help people get healthier,” said Councilmember Leventhal, who also heads up the county's Health and Human Services Subcommittee, in a news release. “The task force recommended that county agencies create and foster a culture of wellness through a proactive program with goals, outcomes, incentives and ongoing communication with employees."

What that means for county employees is that they'll be able to participate in workplace wellness education programs that address exercise, fitness activities, weight management, nutrition and smoking. Individualized health advising and wellness coaching will be available as well, according to a news release.