HUMAN RESOURCES
NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2020
Blue Whale along Historic Route 66 in Catoosa, OK photo by Taunya Blazer, Greeneville Sun
AskHR!
Have a question, but don’t know whom to ask? The Human Resources staff is listening! You can always send an email to Ask HR if you have questions or concerns. Emails will be kept confidential and, if we print your question in the APG newsletter, we will not use your name. Questions may be emailed to AskHR@adamspg.com or sent interoffice to your regional HR representative.
DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES. JO ANN HOPSON, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS
CHARLENE VOLD
APG Vice President of Human Resources All states, Based in Tennessee/North Carolina joann.hopson@adamspg.com | 423.620.8771
HR Manager – APG Media Central Division, Minnesota, Wisconsin 763.712.2412
TOM CLOUTIER
HR Manager - Greenville, Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City,NC and Key West, FL gdavis@apgenc.com | 252.366.8139
DEB BROOKS
APG Media of Southern Wisconsin HR Generalist – APG Janesville, Antigo and Beloit, Wisconsin sluebke@gazetteextra.com
Talent Acquisition Director for APG HR Manager – APG Maryland/Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com | 410.770.4159 HR Manager – APG Midwestern Division, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Utah dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com | 360.416.2187
GWEN DAVIS
STEPHANIE LUEBKE
HUMAN RESOURCES
HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE THE ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP TAKES HARASSMENT SERIOUSLY AND WILL NOT TOLERATE IT IN ANY FORM IN THE WORKPLACE. It is our policy to prohibit the intentional and unintentional harassment of any Associate by another Associate based on any protected classification including, but not limited to, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or age. The purpose of this policy is not to regulate our Associates’ morality, but to ensure that in the workplace no one is ever harassed by another individual. If an Associate feels they have been subjected to conduct which violates this policy, it should immediately be
reported to their Supervisor. If you are unable to contact this person, or if you haven’t received a satisfactory response within five business days after reporting any incident of what you consider to be harassment, you should then contact the next level of management. It is important to note, however, that should your Supervisor or next level Manager be the person the complaint is directed toward, you should then contact any higher level Manager in your reporting chain. Associates can also contact APG’s Vice President of Human Resources should they feel uncomfortable using the aforementioned procedure. APG Associates can rest assured that every report of perceived harassment
will be fully investigated, followed by corrective action should it be deemed appropriate. Any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge from the company. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Also, APG will not allow any form of retaliation against those who report unwelcome conduct or to anyone who cooperates in the investigations of such reports. It is important to note that while all Associates must cooperate with any investigation, any Associate who makes a complaint in bad faith may be subject to disciplinary action, which could result in discharge.
MEMO FROM MARK APG Associates, Given the extreme sensitivity and conversations around Coronavirus, and unfortunately the level of misinformation, we feel that Adams Publishing Group needs to address this topic as it concerns us all for our family, friends, and co-workers. Commonsense steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, just like the common cold and flu, are to wash your hands frequently and sneeze into your elbow. If you are sick, please stay home. Adams Publishing Group has a generous PTO policy to assist anyone who is ill along with a short-term disability policy if you do not have enough PTO time to cover your illness. Additional information can be found on the Centers for Disease control and Prevention website at CDC Corona Virus or you can review factsheets in ADP under Resources – tools – Human Resources. Fact Sheets are also provided on all company bulletin boards. Since we’re in the community news business, it’s important that we maintain a common sense approach when reporting on this disease and ensuring localized stories help educate our readers and the community at large. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jo Ann Hopson at joann.hopson@adamspg.com or 423-620-8771. Thank you. Mark Adams, CEO
2
SAFETY
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS Most cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are mild, but health officials say the virus’s spread through the United States appears likely. As there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
SYMPTOMS
MOST PEOPLE WHO BECOME INFECTED WITH COVID-19 EXPERIENCE MILD ILLNESS AND RECOVER, BUT IT CAN BE MORE SEVERE FOR OTHERS. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
RUNNY NOSE
• Stay home when you are sick
COUGH
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue; throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
SHAKING CHILLS
FEVER
• Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from COVID-19
DIFFICULT BREATHING
THROAT PAIN
• Facemasks should be used by people
who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others
• Wash your hands often with soap and water SYMPTOMS FOR COVID-19 MAY APPEAR 2-14 DAYS AFTER EXPOSURE AND MAY INCLUDE FEVER, COUGH, AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty
3
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: THE PRINCESS BRIDE
For your chance to be the lucky winner of an APG Swag and Movie Bag, answer the trivia question below correctly:
IN “THE PRINCESS BRIDE,” WHAT WAS THE INIGO MONTOYA’S FATHER’S FIRST NAME? All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Wednesday, March 15, 2020.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY WINNER – GEORGI CHAUVIN, APG CHESAPEAKE The Question: finish this famous Casablanca Quote: “We’ll always have______.” *Contents of winner’s prize pack may vary.
The Answer Was: Paris
DO YOU HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA FOR OUR COMPANY NEWSLETTER?
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Send your thoughts, suggestions, ideas for future newsletters to AskHR@adamspg.com.
4