Fitness Membership Fee Reimbursement Program

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govApril 14, 2008In Reply Refer To: 1400-792 (700) PEMS TRANSMISSION 04/17/2008Instruction Memorandum No. 2008-110Expires: 09/30/2009To:                             ADs, SDs, and CDs                                 Attention: Human Resources OfficersFrom:                       Assistant Director, Human Capital ManagementSubject:                   Fitness Membership Fee Reimbursement Program Program Area: Human Resources - Worklife ProgramsPurpose: The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to update the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) policy regarding 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, State and Center Director is authorized to implement a fitness membership fee reimbursement program which reimburses 50 percent of an individual membership fee for a commercial, non-federally sponsored, fitness center or up to $275 annually, whichever is less.Timeframe: This policy is effective immediately. Budget Impact: The cost for the physical fitness program will be the responsibility of each Assistant, State and 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. It was not until the 1970s that 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 Operations Center, Division of Business Services.Contact: If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Ware.Signed by:                                 Janine VelascoAssistant DirectorHuman Capital Management Authenticated by:Robert M. Williams WO-560, Division of IRM Governance 4 Attachments     1 - BLM Fitness Fitness Membership Fee Reimbursement Program Guidelines (4 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)