ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2018
CONTENTS
FEATURED IMAGE taken by Sarah Mast – The High Road Agency Have your picture featured here! Did you take a photo that you love for an article or project you are working on? Send your image to AskHR@adamspg.com and it may be featured in the next newsletter.
2
FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER
Movie Trivia
Good News
Health & Wellness
Human Resources
FROM IDAHO PRESS- TRIBUNE, STILLWATER GAZETTE, & TOURING PUBLICATIONS
WHAT IS HEART DISEASE?
MEET YOUR HR TEAM!
MOVIE NIGHT TRIVIA
PAGE 04
PAGE 09
PAGE 11
PAGE 14
HOW TO DODGE THE FLU!
MEMO: To all APG Associates FROM: Mark Adams RE: New divisional structure in APG DATE: 2/7/2018 Hello All – Given the growth APG has experienced recently, effective February 1st, APG will now incorporate three divisions, as opposed to our former two divisions. They are: WEST DIVISION: Regions: The former Pioneer News Group (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah), plus APG of the Rockies operations in Idaho Falls, Rigby and Challis. Divisional President: Eric Johnston It’s my belief that this new structure will allow us to make the most of our opportunities, and meet our challenges. Let’s have a great 2018!
CENTRAL DIVISION: Regions: Wyoming, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Divisional President: Jeff Patterson
EAST DIVISION: Regions: Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, District of Columbia Divisional President: Gregg Jones
West Division Central Division East Division
Best to you all. Mark.
3
GOOD NEWS
RAINS NAMED IDAHO SPORTSWRITER OF THE YEAR! B.J. Rains, the Idaho Press-Tribune’s beat writer for Boise State University sports and the driving force behind BlueTurfSports.com, has been named the Idaho Sportswriter of the Year for 2017 by the National Sports Media Association. Rains, a University of Kansas graduate, has covered sports at the Idaho PressTribune for five years, and his articles on BSU sports are carried by news outlets across southern Idaho. His articles, videos, podcasts and tweets help keep Broncos fans from coast to coast informed of the latest sports news. Finalists for the National Sports Media Association’s state awards are nominated by their peers, association members in those states. Voting took places throughout December. Rains and the winners from other states will be honored as part of the 59th annual NSMA Awards Weekend, June 23-25, in Winston-Salem, NC.
STILLWATER GAZETTE WINS THE TROPHY! At the 2018 annual Minnesota Newspapers Association (MNA) convention the Stillwater Gazette was awarded the Mills Trophy as the top weekly newspaper in the entire state! This is the first time in 26 years that one of our newspapers has been honored with MNA’s most prestigious award. Please join us in congratulating Jonathan Young, Alicia Lebens and Stu Groskreutz on this highest of honors. The massive trophy will be on display in Stillwater, but it will also make an appearance in Coon Rapids. We can all take great pride in the record 50 awards ECM was presented with last night. Jonathan Young, Stuart Gorskreutz, and Alicia Lebens.
4
GOOD NEWS
TOURING PUBLICATIONS’ STEVENSON RECEIVES GROW WITH GOOGLE SCHOLARSHIP 25,000 Web Developer seats were available to Grow with Google. Learn valuable skills to launch or advance your career as a web developer Master world-class curriculum developed with experts from Google Rapidly growing community of mobile and web developers in the US
SEVIERVILLE, TENN. (Monday, Jan. 30, 2018) Touring Publications’ Kelly Stevenson was recently accepted into the Grow with Google Challenge Scholarship program.
need to prepare for and find a job and the scholarship initiative provides every recipient with the opportunity to learn new skills, launch or advance their career, and unlock their potential.
Stevenson learned Jan. 10, 2018 that he had been offered a scholarship for a joint education program from Udacity & Google for Application and Web Developers. He was selected for the Front-End Web Development program.
Udacity and Google are committed to providing meaningful opportunities to help people master the most important skills they need to be successful in the modern economy. Scholarships are available for learners at all levels – from beginners who have never written a line of code, to experienced developers. The scholarships are focused on software development for mobile (Android) and web, which represent a large portion of the open roles in today’s market.
There were only 25,000 seats available through the current program, which launched in October of 2017. Udacity and Google are committed to providing meaningful opportunities to help people master the most important skills they need to be successful in the modern economy. Grow with Google aims to help Americans with the skills they
WHAT IS THE “GROW WITH GOOGLE SCHOLARSHIP?” Free training, tools, and events to help you grow your skills, career, or business. The Google-Udacity curriculum is targeted to helping developers get the training they need to enter the workforce as Android or mobile web developers. Whether you’re an experienced programmer looking for a career-change or a novice looking for a start, the courses and the Nanodegree programs are built with your career-goals in mind and prepare you for Google’s Associate Android Developer and Mobile Web Specialist developer certifications. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT GROW.GOOGLE
5
SAFETY INSIGHT
tips for effective
WORKPLACE HOUSEKEEPING To some people, the word “housekeeping” calls to mind cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust and organizing clutter.
Standard states that all workplaces should be kept “clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.” The rule includes passageways and storerooms. Floors should be clean and dry.
But in a work setting, it means much more. Housekeeping is crucial to safe workTo help prevent slip, trip and fall incidents, places. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity and morale, as well as we recommend the following: make a good first impression on visitors. • Report and clean up spills and leaks. The practice extends from traditional • Keep aisles and exits clear of items. offices to industrial workplaces, including • Install mirrors and warning signs to factories, warehouses and manufacturing help with blind spots. plants that present special challenges such as haz-ardous materials, combustible dust • Use drip pans and guards. and other flammables. Clear Clutter - A cluttered workplace can Experts agree that all workplace lead to ergonomics issues and possible safety programs should incorporate injuries because workers have less space to housekeeping, and every worker should move. Keep aisles, stairways, emergency play a part. In addition, housekeeping exits, electrical panels and doors clear of should have management’s commitment so clutter, and purge untidy areas. Empty trash workers realize its importance. receptacles before they overflow. Here are several tips for effective workStore materials properly - Storage areas place housekeeping: should not have an accumulation of materials that present hazards for tripping, Prevent slips, trips and falls - Slips, fire, explosion or pests. trips and falls were the second leading cause of nonfatal occupational injuries and Some workers make the mistake of storing illnesses involving days away from work, ladders or other items inside electrical according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. closets where they can block an electrical panel, creating a fire hazard and violating OSHA’s Walking - Working Surfaces OSHA regulations. 6
Unused materials and equipment should be stored out of the way of workers. Avoid using workspaces for storage and remember to put everything back in its proper place. Eliminate Fire Hazards - Employees are responsible for keeping unnecessary combustible materials from accumulating in their work areas. Combustible waste should be stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily. For fire safety:
• Keep combustible materials in the work area only in the amounts needed to do the job. When they are unneeded, move them to an assigned safe storage area.
• Keep passageways and fire doors free of obstructions. Stairwell doors should be kept closed. Do not store items in stairwells.
• Keep materials at least 18 inches
away from automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishers and sprinkler controls. The 18-inch distance is required but 24 to 36 inches is recommended. Clearance of 3 feet is required between piled material and the ceiling. If stock is piled more than 15 feet high, clearance should be doubled.
SAFETY INSIGHT
ICE & SNOW
means take it slow.
COLD WEATHER PREPARATION
READY FOR WINTER? •
In Cold Temperatures, approach with caution and assume that all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy.
•
Watch where you are stepping and GO S-L-O-W-L-Y!! This will help your reaction time to changes in traction.
•
Use extra care when getting into and out of vehicles; use the vehicle for support.
•
When walking on steps, always use the hand railings and plant your feet firmly on each step.
•
Point your feet out slightly like a penguin! Spreading your feet out slightly while walking on ice increases your center of gravity.
FALL PREVENTION DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION. AVOID SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS. WATCH YOUR STEP!
SAFETY TEAMS
All locations are required to have a safety team of at least 3-5 people. After two years of service members should be rotated off the team. Locations without a press are required to have a safety team meeting once per quarter. Locations with a press are required to hold a safety team meeting monthly. Safety team minutes are due to Jo Ann Hopson, corporate safety director, on the schedule listed above.
7
HEALTH &
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS WHAT IS HEART DISEASE? A heart attack happens when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart. Heart disease is one of several cardiovascular diseases of the heart and blood vessel system. Other cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and rheumatic heart disease.
EAT SMART. ADD COLOR. MOVE MORE. BE WELL. Healthy For Good is a revolutionary movement to inspire you to create lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple... Read more: https://goo.gl/dLuC27
Heart disease takes the lives of far too many people in this country, depriving their families and communities of someone they love and care for—a father, a mother, a wife, a husband, a friend, or a neighbor. With more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes a year, and 800,000 deaths, just about all of us have been touched by someone who has had heart disease, heart attack or a stroke. One reason most people aren’t too concerned about heart disease is that they think it can be “cured” with surgery or medication. This is a myth. Heart disease is a lifelong condition, once you get it, you’ll always have it. True, procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty can help blood and oxygen flow to the heart more easily. But the arteries remain damaged, which means you are more likely to have a heart attack. What’s more, the condition of your
blood vessels will steadily worsen unless you make changes in your daily habits. Many people die of complications from heart disease. February is American Heart Month and, unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or a stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. These conditions are also leading causes of disability preventing people from working and enjoying family activities. Cardiovascular disease is also very expensive— together with heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2014 they cost the nation more than $444 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity. However, we can fight back against heart disease and stroke. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other parts of the US government have launched Million Hearts™, to prevent the nation’s leading killers and empowering everyone to make heart healthy choices. So be One in a Million this American Heart Month.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE? Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. They can also increase the chances that an existing disease will get worse. Important risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about are:
• High blood pressure • High blood cholesterol • Diabetes • Smoking • Being Overweight
• Being physically inactive • Having a family history of early heart disease • Age (55 or older for women)
Some risk factors, such as age and family history of early heart disease, can’t be changed and mean you are more likely to get heart disease yourself.
8
WELLNESS
How to DODGE the FLU in 5 Simple Steps
Oh goody – it’s an early flu season and the virus going around is not only nasty, but one of the main strains is not included in the flu vaccine. Most Americans have started back to work and school and they’ll be bringing who-knows-what germs with them from Grandma’s, the airport, or from being cooped up with sneezy siblings. How can you protect yourself from the flu in 2018? Here’s how you can minimize your chances of getting the flu:
WASH YOUR HANDS. It’ll protect you from all sorts of nasty bugs, from influenza to one of the hundreds of common cold viruses. Viruses and bacteria are most often carried on your fingers – they can live on surfaces such as table tops and get carried to the eyes, nose or mouth. A quick rinse isn’t enough. You’re trying to remove sticky germs, so lather up, wash the whole hand and sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice (to yourself if you don’t want people staring at you) while soaping and rinsing.
GET VACCINATED. The flu vaccine isn’t a perfect match for all the flu circulating this year, but it can protect against some of the strains. Flu vaccines are formulated to protect against either three or four of the circulating flu viruses. And experts say even if you get infected, having been vaccinated can reduce the severity of illness. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN. It doesn’t take much to kill or remove most germs. Employers should take special care to encourage daily cleaning of desks, doorknobs and keyboards. Plus, the coffee pot and computer keyboards are usually the germiest places – light switches are less likely to be contaminated. Flu viruses don’t live long out in the open –maybe two to eight hours, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises. So the best time to clean is after people have been present for a while – a first-thing-in-the-morning clean might be a waste of time, whereas a lunchtime sweep with disinfectant wipes might be perfect. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. It may seem obvious but people can spread flu and other germs by sneezing, coughing or even just by talking. Flu, especially, can spread before people show symptoms and after they are feeling better. But the virus particles do not spread far – a few feet should keep you safe.
USE HAND SANITIZER. Soap and water is best for removing germs and washing them down the drain, but alcohol-based hand gels can work in a pinch. They don’t kill all germs effectively, the CDC advises, and “natural” products such as witch hazel don’t kill them much at all. It’s important to use enough of the product, also – you have to really soak your hands in the gel or foam for it to work. Medical-standard agents such as chlorhexidine, triclosan or benzethonium chloride can also be effective.
9
HUMAN
MEET THE ADAMS HR FAMILY JO ANN HOPSON, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS
Vice President of Human Resources joann.hopson@adamspg.com 423.620.8771
Jo Ann oversees all Human Resources-related functions for APG. She holds certifications in human resources, benefits, workplace safety and payroll with a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University in human resources. She has more than 20 years’ experience in professional human resources management. Prior to joining APG, Jo Ann was Human Resources Director for APGTN/NC for Jones Media Inc., now APG of Tennessee and North Carolina, for nearly nine years. Jo Ann served as Senior Human Resources Specialist for Minco Inc., a Ceradyne Company. Prior to that she was a headhunter for a staffing corporation for several years. Jo Ann is based in Greeneville, Tennessee. She is married to Keith Hopson and enjoys hiking, camping, horseback riding and spending time with her Bouvier des Flandres and Lakeland Terrier.
TOM CLOUTIER
Talent Acquisition Director for Adams Publishing Group/HR Manager – Maryland/Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com 410.770.4159 Tom is driven by his passion to support the company mission by providing individual attention to the front line employees. Tom has more than 20 years of experience in professional human resource management positions. He has worked in many different industries, including television, retail, hospitality, distribution, and media. Thirty-one years ago, he attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he met his future wife. Their travels have taken them to California, Hawaii, France, Mexico, Canada, England and several lovely towns in Maryland before settling in Grasonville.
PETE PASINI
HR Coordinator – Adams Publishing Group, Idaho/Utah ppasini@idahopress.com 208.465.8102 Pete started with Adams Publishing Group as the HR Coordinator on the Nampa site supporting Idaho and Utah in January. Prior to that, he worked as a manager of hiring and recruiting as well as manager of several customer service teams at HP and its spin-offs. Working in recruiting, hiring and management lead to his passion for HR and goal to get into this line of work. He is very excited to be with Adams. He studied Journalism and Advertising at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He made the decision to move westward to Idaho afterwards and has been enjoying it ever since. In his spare time, he tries to stay active by running, hiking and skiing the beautiful Idaho hills.
DEB BROOKS
HR Manager – Oregon, Washington, Montana dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187 Deb Brooks is a human resource manager for PNG Media. She has been working in human resources for over 20 years, in addition to business roles that include accounting, payroll, and office management. She has been part of the newspaper industry since 1987 – first hired by Skagit Publishing to work in the advertising department. Deb moved to the accounting department in 1991 and became office manager in 1995. She earned her human resource certification from Seattle Pacific University in 1997 and was named human resources manager for Skagit Publishing newspapers. In recent years, other newspapers from the Pioneer News Group chain were added to her responsibilities. Deb enjoys hiking, camping, gardening and agility training with her two German shorthair pointers.
10
RESOURCES
CHARLENE VOLD
Human Resource Coordinator – ECM Publishers, Inc./Southern Minnesota 763.712.2412
Charlene has always lived int he north metro area of Minneapolis. Before working in the newspaper industry she worked in a variety of settings including a law firm downtown, a non-profit and a property management company. Charlene has a grown son and a grade school daughter. She spends most of her free time volunteering at her daughter’s school, with the Girl Scouts, or at her church. Charlene loves to take walks any time of the year but winters in Minnesota make them pretty rough.
DEB MACHMEIER
Payroll/Human Resources Coordinator - Eau Claire, Wisconsin deb.machmeier@ecpc.com 715.833.9233 Deb Machmeier started with Eau Claire Press Company in 2001, working as the Payroll Coordinator and Human Resources Administrative Assistant. She is pleased to be a part of the Adams Publishing Group Human Resources team. She has an Accounting Associate Degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College. Deb has lived in the Eau Claire area all of her life. Her most valued accomplishment in her life is that she survived a life threatening car accident where she was hit by a drunk driver in December, 2005. With her whole left side broken, she worked very hard to come back to work which she did in June, 2006, for partial days. By fall, 2006, Deb was again working full time. She is not the same physically but her work ethic is the same. Deb met her husband, Philip, during her recovery and they were married in May, 2011.
DEB MACHMEIER’S FAVORITE QUOTE: “As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”
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 it in the AGP newsletter, we will not use your name. Questions may be emailed to Ask HR or sent interoffice to your regional human resources representative.
11
HUMAN
BENEFIT CONTACTS SAVE THIS PAGE
MEDICAL/PRESCRIPTION PLAN 1-866-873-5943 7 am to 8 pm CST (Mon-Fri) www.bluecrossmnonline.com Doctor on Demand www.DoctorOnDemand.com/bluecrossmn
ACCIDENT AND CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCES www.reliancestandard.com
DENTAL AND ORTHODONTICS 1-800-497-7044 www.reliancestandard.com/dental-vision
GROUP TERM LIFE, SHORT TERM DISABILITY, LONG TERM DISABILITY 1-800-423-2765 www.lfg.com
VISION Customer Service 1-800-497-7044 www.vsp.com
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT Customer Service 1-800-859-2144 www.selectaccount.com
EMPLOYEE CONNECT 1-888-628-4824 www.GuidanceResources.com (web ID = Lincoln) Username: LFGsupport Password: LFGsupport1
401(K) APG REWARDS PLAN 1-800-755-5801 my.trsretire.com
TRAVELCONNECT 1-800-527-0218 US Toll-free; 1-410-453-6330 Toll-free Global Emergency Response Center LIFEKEYS 1-855-891-3684 www.GuidanceResources.com
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT 1-866-451-3399, 6 am to 9 pm CST, Mon-Fri www.discoverybenefits.com
DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES. Jo Ann Hopson – Vice President of Human Resources Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina and the Rockies. Support for all other states as needed. joann.hopson@adamspg.com, (423) 620-8771 Tom Cloutier – Maryland, Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com, (410) 690-0957 Charlene Vold – ECM Publishers, Southern Minnesota Charlene.vold@ecm-inc.com, (763) 712-2412
12
Deb Machmeier – Eau Claire, Wisconsin deb.machmeier@ecpc.com, (715) 833-9233 Deb Brooks - Washington, Oregon, Montana debbrooks@skagitpublishing.com, (360) 416-2187 Pete Pasini – Idaho, Utah ppasini@idahopress.com, (208)-465-8102
RESOURCES
ASSOCIATE
REFERRAL PROGRAM Know someone who would be a perfect fit at APG?
WHAT’S IN IT FOR
YOU? $100
BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 30 DAYS
REFER THEM AND YOU CAN EARN CASH
$200 BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 90 DAYS
For any successful referral of friends, family members, or professional acquaintances, you will receive the following payment: • $100 for any person you refer after they complete 30 days of employment • $200 for any person you refer after they complete 90 days of employment • $300 for any person you refer after they complete 1 year of employment There The is NO situation in which an incentive will be paid for any associate who leaves for any reason prior to being employed for 30 days. To receive a referral incentive, the person making the referral must be an associate of the company on the day the referred associate is hired AND the day the referral bonus is due to be paid.
$300 BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 1 YEAR
Please be aware that no associate is authorized to make an offer of employment to any individual or promise employment of any type. All decisions regarding employment offers will be made solely by management. Only On one referral incentive will be issued for each new associate; it will be paid to the first eligible person to submit the form below to the Human Resources Department. Former associates who may be rehired by the company are NOT considered to be a new referral and therefore will not be eligible for a referral incentive payment.
*THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BEING COMPLETED BY THE PERSON YOU ARE REFERRING.*
APPLICANT NAME
APPLICANT PHONE NUMBER
APPLICANT EMAIL ASSOCIATE NAME
TO YOUR REGIONAL HR REP. Please submit forms or questions toSUBMIT Deb Machmeier. 715-833-9233
DATE
deb.machmeier@ecpc.com 13
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: VALENTINE’S DAY
For your chance to be the lucky winner of a $20 Amazon gift certificate, answer the trivia question below correctly.
IN THE MOVIE VALENTINE’S DAY, WHICH TWO MEMBERS OF THE CAST STARTED DATING AFTER MEETING ON SET? All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
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 (or corrections to birthdays or service anniversaries) to AskHR@adamspg.com.
14