Temp- tation                                                                December 2015 
In this issue
Office Party Tips
Holiday party season is in full swing, so employers may want to remind their staff that company anti-harassment and other conduct policies apply during company holiday events, especially at those occurring off-site or outside of working hours.  In some cases, it may help to remind managers that they should intervene if they see a situation that may cross the line.
 
Alcohol can create big problems at employer celebrations.  Some employers offer to pay cab fare for employees to ensure they don't drive under the influence.  If alcohol is being served at an office party, employers also may wish to use professional bartenders trained to avoid over-serving guests. 
 
Focus on food and fellowship, and not what's being served at the bar.  That doesn't mean don't serve alcohol; it does mean not making it a focus.  Setting an end time for events that start with cocktails can also help employers manage employee behavior at holiday parties.  

from bna.com
Holiday Humor

It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, "What are you charged with?" 
"Doing my Christmas shopping early", replied the defendant. 
"That's no offense", said the judge. "How early were you doing this shopping?" 
"Before the store opened."


 


 

Temptation Trivia  
In this animated Christmas movie about a magical locomotive, a well-known actor voiced 4 unique characters and narrated the story.  
Name the movie, and the actor.  
  
If you know the answer, call or e-mail your local branch office by noon this Friday.  One winner in each branch will be chosen at random from those that answered correctly, and that person will get treats delivered!  
 
Last issue answer: A Thanksgiving turkey giveaway by fictional radio station WKRP (in Cincinnati) when horribly wrong when live turkeys were dropped from a helicopter.  News anchor Les Nessman covered the carnage.  
Anniversaries
 
   
Stephanie Dieterich
Branch Manager
Fond du Lac
5 years
 
Rebecca Hollinger
Administrative Assistant 
Appleton
1 year

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Fun Facts  
The Macy's Christmas window displays seen in the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street were sold to FAO Schwartz, which in turn sold them to Marshall & Ilsley (M & I) Bank of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are displayed in the bank's lobby every December in its main branch in North Water Street.

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      Celebrating Over 40 Years of Staffing Excellence!   


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 
     from all of us at Flex-Staff!         
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst  
Admittedly a bit of a dark topic for a holiday newsletter, but considering recent tragic events, safety and survival in the event of an active shooter in any public place is a topic that is too important to ignore.   

Because active shooter situations are often over wit hin 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.  According to the Department of Homeland Security, here are the best steps on how to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity. 

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

Evacuate - If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.  Be sure to:
  1. Have an escape route and plan in mind
  2. Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
  3. Leave your belongings behind
  4. Help others escape, if possible
  5. Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
  6. Keep your hands visible
  7. Follow the instructions of any police officers
  8. Do not attempt to move wounded people
  9. Call 911 when you are safe
Hide out - If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:
  1. Be out of the active shooter's view
  2. Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
  3. Not trap you or restrict your options for movement
To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place: Lock the door and blockade it with heavy furniture.  Silence your cell phone and/or pager.  Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).  Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks). Remain quiet.  If evacuation and hiding out are not possible, remain calm.  Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location.  If you cannot speak, leave the  line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

Take action against the active shooter - As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
  1. Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
  2. Throwing items and improvising weapons
  3. Yelling
  4. Committing to your actions          
One Minute Ideas
8 Super Simple Tips to Relieve Stress
 
Stress can wreak havoc on your body and mind. It can tax your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to seasonal colds and the flu and feeling frazzled. Heavy holiday foods don't help fortify the immune system, either.   Luckily, there are a few tried-and-true strategies for stress relief to employ - most can be done at home in a minute or less.
 
Take Your Walk Outside! There's little that beats a good sweat session for stress relief. Fitting in physical activity can raise levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain - the happy hormones - and keep the stress hormone cortisol at bay.
Watch a Funny Video Taking just a few minutes to laugh can subconsciously boost mood, enhancing problem-solving abilities and creativity at work. 
Volunteer It's another thing on your to-do list, yes, but giving to others makes you feel good. Regular volunteers even live longer than those who don't give back, one study found. Plus, a daily dose of gratitude for the good things in your life can enhance your feelings of well-being during this or any season.
Load Up On Fruits and Veggies A varied, brightly colored diet ensures you're getting the micronutrients you need to stave off sickness. Plus, you'll have more energy when you're taking care of yourself
Don't Burn The Midnight Oil - Sacrificing sleep on both ends of your day helps no one. When you're sleep deprived, your cognitive abilities are compromised. You feel more moody and agitated when you're tired, plus you're far more likely to dip into the office snack stash because sleep deprivation sends your hunger hormones into overdrive.
Commit to Just One Minute of Movement We mentioned exercise is great for your mood, but what if you're time strapped? Try just one minute of heart-pumping exercise - jumping jacks, jump rope, burpees - and you'll feel instantly refreshed and ready to refocus.
Breathe Deeply Conscious breathing exercises and meditation can help you decompress and reconnect.
See Red Surrounding yourself with bright colors can boost your brainpower. Red in particular is an energizer, Constance Hart, a color therapy expert told Vogue.com.  
  
   Adapted from Matchup     
Recipe
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients
12 asparagus spears
6 prosciutto slices
4 tablespoons olive oil for frying
 
Instructions
Wash asparagus and cut 1 inch off the bottom ends. Cut prosciutto strips into two halves, going lengthways.  You should end up with 12 strips.
 
Place each prosciutto strip on a chopping board at a 45 degree angle. Place one of the asparagus spears on top of the meat, perpendicular to it. The tip of the asparagus should be lined up with the bottom of the prosciutto strip. Wrap the bottom end of prosciutto over the asparagus and holding the meat tight, start rolling the asparagus up. The prosciutto strip will wrap around the whole length of the spear because it's on an angle.  Don't worry if parts of the asparagus spears are not covered completely.
 
Heat some olive oil in a large, flat frying pan to sizzling hot.  Fry wrapped asparagus spears for 1-2 minutes on each side or until prosciutto is brown and crispy.  
 
  

Inspirational Quote
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your  dreams  come true. - Greg S. Reid