HUMAN RESOURCES
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2021
Tennessee White Christmas Photo by Kyle Wirick, The High Road Agency
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
APG Vice President of Human Resources All states, particularly TN/NC/VA/MN/WI/FL joann.hopson@adamspg.com 423.620.8771
LASHAY HERNANDEZ
HR Representative, APG Wyoming lhernandez@wyomingnews.com 307.633.6161
TOM CLOUTIER
Talent Acquisition Director for APG HR Manager – APG Maryland/Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com 410.770.4159
GWEN DAVIS
HR Manager - Greenville, Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City, Key West, FL gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139
DEB BROOKS
HR Manager – APG Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187
STEPHANIE LUEBKE
HR Generalist, APG Southern Wisconsin sluebke@apgenc.com 608.755.8360
HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATES CONTRIBUTE TO THE APG NEWSLETTER We want to hear what is going on in your neck of the woods. submitnews.adamspg.com
SUBMISSION DEADLINES January February
April
HR Newsletter
May
Associate Newsletter: Articles due by April 10, 2021
June
HR Newsletter
July
HR Newsletter
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN will only be sending out cards for those that have moved their plan or added or changed dependents. For a new dental card, call MetLife or go to metlife.com/ mybenefits to print your card. For your vision benefits, EyeMed will provide your benefits to your provider over the phone. If you need a card, contact Jo Ann Hopson at 423-620-8771 or joann.hopson@adamspg.com.
Associate Newsletter: Articles due by July 10, 2021
September
HR Newsletter
October
HR Newsletter
December
Adams Publishing Group is committed to a comprehensive employee benefit program that helps our employees stay healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance.
Associate Newsletter: Articles due by Jan. 10, 2021 HR Newsletter
November
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR 2021 BENEFITS
HR Newsletter
March
August
2021 BENEFITS INFORMATION
Dependent care and health savings account funds don't frontload onto the debit cards. The money being requested will be deposited into the accounts through payroll deduction twice monthly.
Associate Newsletter: Articles due by Oct. 10, 2021
Flexible spending accounts and limited flex are front-loaded by January 1. However, if you leave Adams Publishing Group during the year, the account shuts down on your last day and claims can only be submitted for service prior to that date.
HR Newsletter
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions, please contact your regional Human Resource representative: JO ANN HOPSON – Vice President of Human Resources , Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin Joann.hopson@adamspg.com, (423) 620-8771
IMPORTANT NOTICE 2
GWEN DAVIS – Greenville, Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City, North Carolina / Key West FL gdavis@apgenc.com, (252) 866-8139
STEPHANIE LUEBKE – Wisconsin sluebke@gazetteextra.com (608) 755-8360
DEB BROOKS – Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com, (360) 416-2187
TOM CLOUTIER – Maryland, Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com, (410) 770-4159
LASHAY HERNANDEZ – Wyoming lhernandez@wyomingnews.com, (307) 633-6161
HAS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS CHANGED THIS YEAR? If it has, please login to ADP and update your address in advance for end of year W-2 and 1095-C paperwork.
SAFETY
SAFETY
SPACE HEATER TIPS
GUIDELINES FOR USING A PORTABLE HEATER IN THE OFFICE
ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP REQUIRES EMPLOYEES TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM A SUPERVISOR OR FACILITY MANAGER BEFORE USING A PORTABLE HEATER. OTHER TIPS RECOMMENDED BY THE ESFI:
• Ensure the device is certified by an independent testing laboratory.
• Due to COVID-19 safety concerns,
Winter has arrived, and if you work in an office, you know that coworkers rarely agree on the thermostat setting - particularly during cold weather. And, if you always feel that you can’t get warm enough, you may be considering using a portable heater at your desk. However, before you plug it in, you should know that portable electric heaters can present a “major workplace safety hazard,” according to Electrical Safety Foundation International. “Fires can be caused by space heaters without adequate safety features, space heaters placed near combustibles or space heaters that are improperly plugged in,” ESFI says, adding that if an employer doesn’t have a policy banning these devices, it’s important that they establish safe guidelines for their users.
employees should not point heaters in the direction of other people • Position the heater at least 3 feet away from flammable materials such as papers, clothing, and rugs. • Ensure the device is certified by an independent testing laboratory. • Keep heaters out of high-traffic areas, such as doorways, where they can be a tripping hazard. • Don’t use extension cords or power strips, as these can overheat and start a fire. Instead, plug the device directly into a wall outlet. Refrain from plugging additional devices into the same outlet as the space heater. • Never leave the heater unattended while in operation. At the end of the workday, unplug the space heater.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PET PHOTO TODAY HR.ADAMSPG.COM/CONTEST
VO T I N G C LO S E S JA N U A RY 15 T H 3
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: LITTLE WOMEN
For your chance to be the lucky winner of an APG Swag and Movie Bag, answer the trivia question below correctly:
IN “LITTLE WOMEN,” WHAT DID THE MARCH GIRLS CALL THEIR MOTHER? All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DECEMBER WINNER – CHRISTINA JAEGER, THE DAILY POST ATHENIAN The Question: In “Home Alone,” what is the name of Kevin’s next door neighbor? The Answer Was: Old Man Marley *Contents of winner’s prize pack may vary.
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.
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