November 2020 | 12TH EDITION NEWSLETTER |
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Riskiest Workplace Activities During COVID-19
Wearing a mask, social distancing and frequently washing your hands are some of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, avoiding certain high-risk workplace activities can help protect your health and safety. However, it’s not always feasible to avoid essential workplace activities—many of which carry a risk for spreading or becoming infected with COVID-19. INSPRO | Nov 2020
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Workers During COVID-19: Lessons from a Disaster Trauma Lens
Gertie Quitangon, MD | October 18, 2020 | Psychiatric Times
We have learned that in order to provide much-needed social support during difficult times, organizations should prepare to take certain steps.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) blindsided the world. It exposed gaps in public health emergency planning at every level, including in the strategic planning to support mental health and wellness.
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Even if COVID-19 is a Party Pooper, Employers Find Ways to Celebrate
By Dana Wilkie | October 29, 2020 | SHRM
Because holding a workplace holiday party doesn't seem practical during a pandemic, managers are finding other ways to help their workers celebrate this year—including virtual gift exchanges, cooking classes and wine tastings.
"I would argue that it's never been more important to celebrate our accomplishments after what we've endured this year..."
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How to Support Employees After the Election
Katie Navarra | November 3, 2020 | SHRM
Employees are dreading going to work on Nov. 4. In a survey by Reflective of 1,000 U.S. employees—conducted earlier this year—54 percent of participants said that if their candidate loses this election, it will impact their performance at work. Another 29 percent felt that office politics would make it difficult to go to work the day after the election. Tensions in the workplace have risen since then. READ MORE
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Proposed Changes to the H-1B Program and
Prevailing Wage Determinations
By Immigration Group | November 18, 2020 | Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
The past four years have presented unparalleled challenges and changes to U.S. immigration.
Although the immigration statute – the Immigration and Nationality Act – and the implementing regulations have remained largely unchanged, immigration adjudications have been in a near constant state of flux, and we have seen an unprecedented number of new restrictions, seemingly on a weekly basis. READ MORE
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4 ways to help employees work smarter, not harder
Alyssa Place | November 19, 2020 | Employee Benefits News
With the holiday season fast approaching and workplace burnout on the rise, getting employees to stay productive and focused on work is a huge challenge for managers this year.
“Everything is happening in our homes — employees are monitoring their children, doing their day jobs and taking care of the cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping,” says Carson Tate, founder of Working Simply, a workplace productivity consulting firm.
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How managers can boost productivity by learning to delegate
By Phil Alves | November 11, 2020 | Employee Benefits News
Leaders, by their very nature, like to be in control. That’s much of the reason why they became creators, founders, and managers in the first place. But as businesses grow, leaders inevitably need to let go of a growing list of responsibilities and let their teams keep the company machine well-oiled. For many, however, that’s much easier said than done.
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How to address workplace toxicity in a virtual setting
By Evelina Nedlund | Employee Benefits News | October 29, 2020
During COVID-19, workplace harassment has moved from the physical office into the virtual world, leaving employees vulnerable to uninvited and unwanted attacks on Zoom and Slack.
Pre-pandemic SHRM research found that 1 in 4 American workers dread going to work during. A toxic work environment not only impacts employee well-being, but a company’s bottom line: U.S. companies lost $223 billion over a five-period due to culture-caused turnover, according to SHRM estimates.
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9 Creative Meeting Ideas for Remote Teams
Lisa Tener | Nov 19, 2020 | HR Daily Advisor
Remote meetings were a brilliant solution to social distancing. Meet virtually, stay connected, run things by each other—it worked. And then suddenly, it didn’t work so well.
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Apology rejected: Why it’s time for HR to stop saying I’m sorry
Human resources professionals need to stop apologizing if we ever want to drive progress.
Ben Brooks | November 11, 2020 | HRExecutive.com
“I’m sorry…”
The words would come out so quickly, so automatically that I wasn’t even aware that I was doing it. It just became routine in my way of communicating—particularly over email—that I’d never even been aware of it, nor explored what was driving me to say it. It simply leaped onto the screen from the dancing fingers on my keyboard—or out of my mouth—so effortlessly that I genuinely believed what I was saying.
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During COVID, holiday gift-giving can be HR’s ‘time to shine’
Remote workers could use a reminder of their employers’ appreciation this holiday season.
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 will force many employers to abandon their traditional holiday parties this year, prompting some HR leaders to shift their attention to employee gifts. What types of gifts can better connect remote workers to each other and the organization while helping to build the company’s brand?
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Employers Exploring What Changes a Biden Administration Will Bring
By: Tammy Binford | Nov 9, 2020 | HR Daily Advisor
Now that the presidential race has been called for Joe Biden, employers are studying the impact a new administration will have on policies affecting the workplace. The COVID-19 response, the economy, health care, a change in direction at federal agencies—those issues and so much more are on employers’ radar.
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IRS announces 401(k), FSA contribution limits for 2021
Employee contribution limits will remain unchanged next year.
By: Kathryn Mayer | November 3, 2020 | HRExecutive.com
The IRS isn’t increasing employee contribution limits for 401(k)s or flexible spending accounts for 2021, the agency said last week.
Limits will remain the same with employees being able to defer up to $19,500 into a 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans at work.
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OSHA Provides Insight Into COVID-19 Enforcement Priorities
Paul Jacobson | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 | OSHA
Despite widespread commentary regarding the lack of COVID-specific regulatory rules in the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to cite employers for a wide variety of health and safety violations arising from COVID-related investigations. READ MORE
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Resources for Job Creators What employment topic do you have questions about?
You may have questions about your role as an employer. This site provides answers to common questions about workers and business.
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DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
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Will 2021 bring back in-person conferences?
With day to day uncertainties, count on the quality expert training you have come to expect from the team, either way it is presented.
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Earn Continuing Education Credits!
Sharpen Your Knowledge!
Network With Professionals!
Motivate Your Team!
Meet Vendors!
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No need to be certified to attend the conference.
If you have a desire to learn, improve, network or motivate yourself or your team, you will find great value in attending the conference!
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How to Celebrate Thanksgiving During the Pandemic
Michael Sullivan | NOVEMBER 12, 2020 | Wirecutter.com
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re like me, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to celebrate this year. I’ve been hosting a friendsgiving for over 15 years—a tradition that started in college with a guest list consisting of any friends who didn’t happen to go home for the big day. However, this year many traditions will be put on hold. Many people will be spending the holiday away from family and friends due to COVID-19–related travel restrictions or safety concerns.
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Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings
cdc.gov | Nov. 2020
Enjoy Thanksgiving activities and take steps to protect yourself from getting or spreading COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 epidemic is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases.
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Preparing your kids for the holidays during COVID-19
Even though this holiday season may be different, you can still find ways to connect with loved ones. Like most things this year, the holiday season will be marked by the coronavirus pandemic. For you and your family, it may feel like one more disappointment at the end of a long, challenging year. So, how do you talk with your kids about the upcoming holidays? And what can you do to celebrate, even if it’s not in the ways you’re used to?
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STRONG MINDS | STRONG HEARTS |
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Share the Harvest Food Pantry
Greenview, Missouri
Share the Harvest Food Pantry serves an average of 800 families a month. In the past 8 years, we have provided 2,880,000 lbs. of food. 50% of the food on our shelves comes from the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, 35% from local grocery stores and 15% from our local community donations.
We use government guidelines to qualify people.
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“NEVER LOOK DOWN ON SOMEONE UNLESS YOU ARE HELPING THEM UP.”
Missouri Employment Conference gives back. We believe it’s our duty. Each year we make a concerted effort to select a non-profit that supports our vision. The conference is designed to help individuals improve by giving them tools, making some connections and to offer knowledge to grow.
We buy in to the fact that 2 heads are better than one. So common sense says, many hats are even better! By pooling our resources together we leverage in scale and have been able to help local organizations.
As we continue to grow our network we will continue to serve as leaders in change by working with local non-profits and offering a hand. We hope you will support us in our efforts.
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Thanksgiving for Two: 15 Small Holiday Bites with BIG Flavor
You can still have all the foods and flavors of a
traditional Thanksgiving feast.
by LAUREN HASLETT | NOV 2, 2020 | delish.com
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Many people may find it difficult to focus on the good when we see so much bad going on around the world lately. Personally, it has been a tough year. We’ve experienced family loss and the news that my brother-in-law, Jerry, has brain cancer. On top of Jerry’s fight with cancer, we found out he tested positive for COVID. Unfortunately, within the last week, my husband and I also tested positive. Fortunately, our symptoms are mild and for the most part we are feeling ok. We are very thankful for that!
For many of us, Thanksgiving is the time of year we look forward to spending with loved ones and eating until we are miserably full. For the past 26 Thanksgiving mornings, it’s been a tradition for me and my dad to deliver food to the elderly; however, this year the program has been cancelled due to COVID. Leaves me wondering who will be able to feed them now?
As a family, we have decided the safest thing to do is cancel this year’s Thanksgiving celebration at my parent's home. We may not be able to “see” each other, but we are still going to cook for one another. I will cook my specialty corn bread corn casserole and cheesy potatoes (see recipes above) and the rest of my family will cook their “assigned” dishes. Before dinner, we will all deliver our dishes to each other’s homes. We are SO blessed that my parents, along with my sisters and their families, live within 5 miles of each other! :) We are grateful this year to have my husband’s parents and brother-in-law near, so we can also deliver a home-cooked meal to them. Following dinner, we will hop on a Zoom call, like many other families will, and spend time together visiting at a safe distance.
The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us. I currently serve on the Polk City Foundation as President and through the foundation and local school, a single parent of three kids was referred to me. It was apparent that this family needed some assistance. Not knowing how exactly we could help, I reached out to my parents for ideas. Without hesitation, my parents offered financial assistance. It is moments like these that I have to take a step back and remind myself how incredibly blessed we are to have running water, heat, an abundance of food, a safe home, friends, co-workers, a loving family and kind, selfless parents that molded me into the person I am today.
However you decide to spend this Thanksgiving, please take a moment to really focus on the good in YOUR life and the good you can do for others.
Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy Thanksgiving season!
Nan & Sue
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