APG Newsletter June 2024

HUMAN RESOURCES

Photo from Sharon Livingston

Ask HR!

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.

KATHARINE GLASS

APG Vice President of HR kglass@adamspg.com 865.981.1101

DEB BROOKS

HR Manager - APG West dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187

GWEN DAVIS

HR Manager - East gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139

HEATHER MCCALMONT HR Manager - Wisconsin, MD, OH hmccalmont@adamspg.com 608.755.9442

THÉRÉSE ZADNIK-KLECKER

HR Manager - APG Central therese.zadnik-klecker@adamspg.com 763.712.3559

REMINDER OF UPCOMING COMPANY HOLIDAYS

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Thursday, July 4, 2024

LABOR DAY

Monday, September 2, 2024

Employee Assistance Program

The resources you need to meet life’s challenges

EmployeeConnect SM offers professional, confidential services to help you and your loved ones improve your quality of life.

In-person guidance Unlimited 24/7 assistance Online resources

Some matters are best resolved by meeting with a professional in person. With EmployeeConnect SM, you and your family get:

ƒ In-person help for short-term issues (up to five sessions with a counselor per person, per issue, per year)

CONGRATS

TO OUR MAY WINNER

JAN THOMPSON APG OF EAST CENTRAL MN

We partner with your employer to offer this service at no additional cost to you!

The Question Was: “May the 4th Be With You” is a special day worldwide for this popular SciFi franchise.

The Answer Was: Star Wars

ƒ In-person consultations with network lawyers, including one free 30-minute in-person consultation per legal issue, and 25% off subsequent meetings

You and your family can access the following services anytime — online, on the mobile app or with a toll-free call:

ƒ Information and referrals on family matters, such as child and elder care, pet care, vacation planning, moving, car buying, college planning and more

ƒ Legal information and referrals for family law, estate planning, consumer and civil law

EmployeeConnect SM offers a wide range of information and resources you can research and access on your own. Expert advice and support tools are just a click away when you visit GuidanceResources.com or download the GuidanceNowSM mobile app. You’ll find:

ƒ Articles and tutorials

ƒ Videos

ƒ Interactive tools, including financial calculators, budgeting worksheets and more

EmployeeConnect SM counselors are experienced and credentialed.

ƒ Financial guidance on household budgeting and short- and long-term planning

When you call the toll-free line, you’ll talk to an experienced professional who will provide counseling, work-life advice and referrals. All counselors hold master’s degrees, with broad-based clinical skills and at least three years of experience in counseling on a variety of issues. For face-to-face sessions, you’ll meet with a credentialed, state-licensed counselor.

When you call the toll-free line, you’ll talk to an experienced professional who will provide counseling, work-life advice and referrals. All counselors hold master’s degrees, with

You’ll receive customized information for each work-life service you use.

clinical skills and at

three years of experience in counseling on a variety of issues. For face-to-face sessions, you’ll meet with a credentialed, state-licensed counselor.

You’ll receive customized information for each work-life service you use.

To take advantage of the EmployeeConnect SM program or for more information: Visit GuidanceResources.com

(username: LFGSupport, password: LFGSupport1), download the GuidanceNowSM mobile app or call 888-628-4824.

To take advantage of the EmployeeConnect SM program or for more information: Visit GuidanceResources.com

(username: LFGSupport, password: LFGSupport1), download the GuidanceNowSM mobile app or call 888-628-4824.

TIPS TO Manage Stress at Work

Get help managing your stress at work so you can prevent serious medical conditions now and in the future.Some stress is healthy and can even help you get through difficult situations. However, chronic stress can lead to long-term health problems.

Stress at work is caused by many different things. It can be something small, like your computer not working, to something big, like a conflict with your boss. Some common causes of stress at work include lack of control, more responsibility, unhappiness with your job, confusion about your role, poor communication, lack of support and bad working conditions.

Some stress can be good by helping you rise to the occasion on a tight deadline. Stress that lasts too long, however, can lead to long-term health problems.

Common symptoms or signs of stress include headaches, trouble sleeping, problems focusing, short temper, upset stomach, being unhappy and low self-esteem. Chronic stress can cause more serious health conditions, like high blood pressure, back problems, depression and heart disease.

Stress can cause poor job performance, unhappiness at work and poor relationships with coworkers and managers. It’s important to manage stress at work so you don’t put your job at risk.

It is important to take your required breaks. During your breaks, you can:

• Take a walk around the building

• Do some deep breathing exercises

• Stretch

• Meditate

If chronic stress is negatively impacting your work on a regular basis, you should sit down with your boss to discuss your job performance and current stress levels.

A daily activity like meditation, deep breathing, walking, yoga, stretching, massage, baths, journaling and coloring can help you manage your stress.

Blue Cross members have a variety of health programs to help you stay healthy. Some of them include fitness discounts* and the wellness discount marketplace. More health and wellness tips and programs:

• Stress symptoms and how to manage them

• Press pause: The power of your breath

• Employee Assistance Program

• Learn to Live program

• Learn more about preventive care

famous tennis tournament runs through the month of June? SEND IN YOUR ANSWER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN Submit your answer to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on June 15, 2024.

SAFETY TIPS

WHAT’S BUGGING YOU?

Mosquitoes long have been taking a bite out of warm-weather fun. Now, that bite carries with it the danger of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Everyone can protect themselves and their families from the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Dengue Fever and West Nile.

FOLLOW SIMPLE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES:

• Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes

• Watery or dry eyes

• Blurred or double vision

• Headache

• Sore neck, shoulders or back

• Increased sensitivity to light, called photophobia

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open

TREATMENT

• Wash the area with soap and water.

• Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.

• Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response.

• Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with just enough water to create a paste.

• Apply the paste to the mosquito bite.

• Wait 10 minutes.

• Wash off the paste.

• Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to help relieve itching. Follow the product label directions.

2023 APG Regional

PRESIDENT

OF THE YEAR

Jim Normandin was awarded the 2023 APG Regional President of the Year for the second year in a row. The award was part of the APG Regional President Conference held in conjunction with the Americas Newspapers Conference in April at the Phoenix Hilton.

Pictured left to right, Nick Monico APG COO, Jim Normandin, Regional President of Florida/Chesapeake and Mark Adams, President /CEO of APG.