Commonwealth of VA, Office of Workforce Engagement Magazine: Winter 2020

Maximizing Employee Talent Dear Fellow State Employees: I am pleased to introduce the inaugural edition of the Office of Workforce Engagement (OWE) magazine—a magazine for employees by employees. The Department of Human Resource Management, Office of Workforce Engagement’s responsibility is to create a working environment in which employees across the Commonwealth of Virginia are engaged at a physical, emotional and cognitive level. However, we cannot do this alone. I am a firm believer of “planning with” rather than “planning for” and in order to achieve this level of engagement we need you.

My goal is not to improve engagement for every employee through a silo approach, but rather encourage employees to participate in finding solutions and implementing strategies to close engagement gaps within their agencies. I want to ensure that the Commonwealth of Virginia maximizes the capabilities and talent of its workforce.

This magazine is an opportunity to share your voice, your stories, solutions, and strategies for enhancing engagement. It is a platform of knowledge sharing across the Commonwealth regarding health and wellness, recognition, workplace giving and engagement. How do you motivate yourself and others, how do you give back to your communities, how do you recognize your peers and how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? These are but a few questions I want you to consider when reading and contributing to this magazine.

I started with the state 14 months ago and I am humbled by the commitment and passion that my fellow employees demonstrate each and every day. The Office of Workforce Engagement is with you in putting the best foot forward in achieving the mission of the Commonwealth.

My commitment to you is that my team will do all within its scope of control to enhance engagement by delivering effective employee programs that will contribute to achieving a highly functional and effective workforce, and assist in making the Commonwealth of Virginia an “employer of choice.” Additionally, OWE will work collaboratively with employees, leadership and other key stakeholders to create, design, and implement a broad engagement strategy that ties to relevant organizational outcomes and outlines the positive impacts engagement has on agencies’ results. Let this magazine serve as a launchpad for ongoing conversation.

We thank you for your commitment and support as we strive to achieve a common voice for state employees across the Commonwealth.

Vilma Alejandro Director, Office of Workforce Engagement

2

From the Desk of the Chief Editor Use Your Voice-Vote Today I would like to personally welcome you to this magazine. Our office is here to support Commonwealth employees like YOU. Just like our office, this magazine is for YOU, the employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our team would love if you would help by giving the magazine a title.

We hope to bring you articles that will help you be your best!

Our magazine is for employees, published by employees and will include information on upcoming employee events, opportunities for state employees to learn, and programs that may help save money or improve health. We will also recognize agencies, departments, and employees for their dedication and achievements throughout the state. Lastly, we also want to be a place where employees can share ideas and experiences.

Being engaged in some way for the good of the community, whatever that community, is a factor in a meaningful life. We long to belong, and belonging and caring anchors our sense of place in the universe. ~ Patricia Churchland

Stay in the know, linked with what is going on, and armed with all key information at your fingertips. Now that you know what this magazine is all about, help name it! Take a moment and vote for your favorite title: options and voting.

Since this magazine is for YOU, contact me with your suggestions for articles, news of great opportunities and events that are happening. Use your voice—we’d love to see YOU on these pages!

Sincerely,

Susan Perry Chief Editor

3

In this Issue Maximizing Employee Talent

2

Letter from the Chief

3

Celebrate Heart Month

4

Managing Stress

5

Jewel Awards: Thank You

6-7

A Perfect Match

8-9

Acts of Service: Fitness Warrior

11

Commitment to Service

12

Work-Life Integration

13

Hike with Mike

14

Healthier Food Makes a Heart Happy

15-16

Say No and Go Low (Risk)

16

Reach Out for Help: Health Plan Contacts

17

February was American Heart Month With a healthy heart...the beat goes on Start today to lower your risk for heart disease.

Make 2020 Great for Your Heart: Eat healthy.

Get moving.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Quit tobacco and nicotine.

Drink alcohol only in moderation.

Check and control cholesterol.

Manage blood pressure.

Manage stress.

Did you celebrate National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2020?

The Virginia Museum of Natural History has celebrated Wear Red Day/Go Red for Women most years. Did you in 2020?

Share photos of your agency celebrating wellness and heritage observances: February is National African American History month, March is Nutrition month and Women’s History Month, April is Alcohol Awareness month and the Days of Remembrance, and May is Employee Health and Fitness month and Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage month.

What would YOU do with more time?

In just over 2 minutes, this video may make you want to take more time for you and your heart. View a video by Go Red for Women.

4

Managing Stress—A Key Factor in Decreasing Risk for Heart Disease Even if you eat right and exercise regularly, poorly managed stress can wreak havoc on your health. Stress may affect behaviors and factors that increase heart disease risk: high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, physical inactivity and overeating. Some people may choose to drink too much alcohol or smoke cigarettes to “manage” chronic stress. These habits can lead to increased blood pressure and may damage artery walls. Getting enough sleep, practicing relaxation techniques and nurturing relationships are healthy habits which lessen the harmful effects of stress.

Some agencies have Mindfullness rooms, like the one below at ODU. Can you create a space for mindful moments or meditation?

According to the American Heart Association, these healthy habits can help you fight stress.

1. Slow down.

2. Snooze more.

3. Let worry go.

4. Laugh it up.

5. Get connected.

Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health. ~ Dalai Lama

6. Get organized.

7. Practice giving back.

8. Be active every day.

Want help reducing your stress or changing your lifestyle, the EAP can help! Get contact information specific to your plan.

9. Give up bad habits.

10. Lean into things you can change.

In these early months, be sure to include some peace.

Meditation is the simple, scientifically proven brain exercise that helps you be more tuned in to your day and relax by rewiring your brain to deal differently with stress. Practicing meditation and enjoying its benefits, like feeling happier and less overwhelmed, doesn’t require the perfect conditions or a ton of time.

Have your CommonHealth Agency Coordinator schedule Relearn to Relax: CommonHealth’s Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness for the Busy Beginner at your location. Not sure who your Coordinator is, check here.

Bring some calm to 2020.

5

Governor Northam Says “Thank you” to Long Serving Employees

Governor Northam recently hosted regional service recognition events honoring employees with 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years of service to the Commonwealth. The Jewel Recognition ceremonies are the first of their kind and highlight the importance of employee recognition. Employees honored from the Southwest and Central regions are pictured here. Additional ceremonies for long-serving employees in the Tidewater and Northern Virginia areas are planned for April 2020.

These thoughtful comments received from honorees demonstrate that “Thank you” is a powerful message. 

I cannot tell you how impressed I was with this event. I was not expecting anything like it was. It was so nice. Thank You.

The

event was AWESOME. I brought my daughter with me and she was very impressed with everything.

Thank

you very much for having this event. The acknowledgement of dedicated employees of Virginia is necessary. The committees and speakers' messages of thanks were clearly heard and felt.

I

didn't know what to expect when I received the invitation but I was very pleased by everything surrounding being honored for working for the State of Virginia for 40 years.

Didn't

have any preconceived ideas about this event but was totally swept away; it made me feel genuinely honored and appreciated as an individual and employee.

This

was a wonderful event - a very meaningful recognition. I was struck by not only the Governor’s message, but also his willingness to spend time with us and pose for personal pictures afterwards. I very much enjoyed being seated with honorees from other agencies. There was a great group at my table, and it was so interesting to hear their work stories.

I

felt honored and like royalty!

The

event was very nice. I appreciated the recognition of 45 years of service. It was nice of the Governor, Lt. Governor, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry who represents my agency to be present.

The

event was beautiful! I was proud to be there to see the devoted and hardworking employees receive their awards.

Thank

you for the opportunity to be honored for my services for the Commonwealth of Virginia...I hope this will continue for future employees.

6

7

Engagement and Recognition — A Perfect Match The more personally invested we are in something, the more it matters. This is true of our relationships, our health, and how we spend our free time. We are more likely to put more effort into things that are meaningful to us and, the more meaningful something is, the more we want to contribute. This is also true of employees and their work.

Showing appreciation strengthens any relationship Employers are in a relationship with employees and for employees to care about the business, they have to feel appreciated. Employee engagement is the level of personal investment a person has in his or her work. It means being actively involved, caring about the results, working together, working well, and giving your best. In return, the organization gives employees its best—starting with a culture of recognition.

Employee recognition is acknowledgment and appreciation for contributions to the agency’s mission. It can be as simple as a shout-out during a staff meeting, a hand written thank you note or more formal such as a commendation letter and extra time off.

Consistent and authentic recognition is a powerful tool management can use to improve employee engagement as well as job satisfaction, reduce turnover, increase

8

productivity, boost morale, and build purpose.

And, it makes employees happier.

10 Simple Recognition Ideas that Work 

Celebrate together...birthdays, work anniversaries, other milestones.



Recognize the non-work achievements of staff (education, volunteer work, etc.).



Host “Learning Lunches” for staff to share hobbies, expertise or interests with coworkers.



Provide an anonymous suggestion box to show staff you value their input.



Award certificates or rotate a trophy to acknowledge achievements and fun, lighter moments.



Set up a coffee/tea bar in the break area. Use voluntary donations to fund it.



Ask leadership to recognize employees for exemplary work (meetings, newsletters, etc).



Make it easy for your staff to show appreciation for each other with “Cheers for Peers.”



Start “Crushed It Friday Happy Hour” or other weekly gathering to highlight accomplishments.



Write a thank you note or simply say, “Thank you” regularly and consistently.

Let’s go beyond years of service awards and recognize employees for a job well done on a regular basis. Every day is an opportunity for managers, supervisors and co-workers to thank employees for their contributions.

In each issue of this magazine, we will bring you simple engagement and recognition ideas to help create a more positive work environment, and we would like to hear from you. Our goal is to highlight the many good things happening at agencies across the Commonwealth, so please share your ideas or success stories. You may see them in a future edition.

9

10

Acts of Service: Setting the Stage for a Healthier You–Fitness Warriors Photo Credit, SportsBackers

When LaCora Hurte is not managing agency recruitments and employee benefits, she is also the Department of Military Affairs' CommonHealth Coordinator, a role she’s had for over 10 years.

Learn how she takes her passion for health and community to the next level outside of the office.

In the spring of 2017, LaCora Hurte was making her way through a crowded Arther Ashe Center to pick up her race packet at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k race expo. She, along with over 23,000 runners, would take to the streets on Saturday morning for an almost 20 year tradition. A table at the expo caught Hurte’s eyes – Fitness Warriors.

Intrigued, she spoke with the Sports Backers staffers at the table and took home a brochure, and that was just the beginning.

The Sports Backers, probably best known for the Richmond Marathon, is a non-profit organization that promotes active lifestyles in the Central Virginia area through programs that support youth running, bike infrastructure and fitness opportunities for the underserved. One of their outreach programs, in partnership with the Richmond City Health District, is Fitness Warriors.

The program currently provides 58 free, varying fitness classes weekly, to communities as far north as Hanover and as far south as Jarrett, Virginia.

their schedule online. You can also find more information on how to volunteer in your community at www.RVAFitnessWarriors.org.

Volunteering through programs like Fitness Hurte discovered that she could not only take free Warriors is a great way to combine fitness and making an impact in your community. If you or fitness classes (and ditch the gym fee), she could also become a Fitness Warrior – a trained volunteer someone you know is interested in becoming a who could lead the classes in her own community. Fitness Warrior, now is the time. Check with your local gyms, recreational leagues, and active lifestyle She decided that this was the right move for her, and began her 6 month training which consisted of organizations and see how you can help like not only classroom instruction but also hands-on in- LaCora. class training.

Currently she teaches twice a week and her classes are designed around strength, toning, and flexibility for community members of all ages and fitness levels. All are welcome and her class members range in age from four to 86 with a variety of fitness levels. Fitness Warriors is free and has 58 classes, six days a week in over 43 locations in the central Virginia region. For more information when and where these free classes occur in your area, visit 11

Work-Life Balance Integration

Website linked to icon above. Visit the Facebook page. Also, check them out on Instagram.

Work should be about more than our job description and tasks. As state employees in Virginia, we are lucky to have a wide variety of outdoor events and open spaces to enjoy, many of which are close to the agencies in which we work. OnTheSquare helps to bring some of that closer to your work door by sponsoring events that include walking groups, fitness classes, farmers markets and food trucks along with tournaments, lectures, a book club, and educational programming. OnTheSquare Anywhere plans to expand these events to areas throughout the state, so agencies outside the Capitol can enjoy similar events.

Let’s celebrate and enjoy some pictures from 2019 OnTheSquare events and consider how you will get involved this year!

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

Steve Jobs 12

Hike with Mike Welcome to Hike with Mike, a quarterly feature in which we will explore different hikes throughout our state. Many of these hikes are just outside our doors. We begin the journey on Richmond’s own, James River Park System, consisting of Buttermilk trail and Northbank trail. This unique hiking and biking trail system is close to my heart, as it has been not only a place to spend my free time hiking and biking, but has also provided opportunities to offering views of the learn from and build trails with the city’s park white water rapids, service and local trail organizations. huge rock climbing walls and the occasional view of the downtown skyline.

With multiple access points, hikes can be shortened to a quick lunch walk to clear your head and enjoy a nice day or lengthened to stretch your legs more and take on the entire trails system for some more intense exercise.

Only steps away from the downtown area, these trails traverse along the north and south banks of the James River and are accessible from Belle Isle or Tredegar parking lot. Both sides of this wooded trail twist and turn along the banks of the river

No matter how you shake your hiking stick at it, you are assured a great outdoor experience on the James River Park trails.

For more park information on these trails, please visit: www.jamesriverpark.org

13

Healthier Food Makes Your Heart Happy Your food choices have a big impact on your heart's health. If you have other risk factors, such as age, gender and family history that cannot be controlled, what foods you eat, how those foods are prepared, how much you eat, and how often you exercise tend to play a larger role in preventing heart disease. Take control of your health in 2020!

Eating Healthier 

 

Try a variety of nutrient dense foods.

Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and fish.

Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.



Include fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, lake trout, albacore tuna, mackerel or sardines twice a week.



Bake, broil, roast or grill your fish, poultry and lean cuts of beef or pork.



Consider choosing legumes, including beans and lentils, instead of meat a few times a week. Not only are they heart-healthy and great sources of fiber, they are also very affordable.



Choose whole-grain foods most often and minimize refined grain foods.

Opt for Spices – not salt and sugar 

In the kitchen, think out of the box, saltshaker, and sugar bowl!



Most sodium consumed (around 75%) comes from the packaged and processed foods we eat.

You can control the amount of sodium in your meals by preparing foods at home.



Enjoy more low-sodium seasonings such as lemon or lime juice, herbs or salt-free herb blends and vinegar to boost the flavor of your favorite foods.



When shopping, select reduced-sodium or no-salt-added soups and vegetables.



Check food labels for added sugars, and read ingredient lists for hidden sugars. Total carbohydrates should come from complex, whole grain sources.



Avoid trans fats and limit your intake of saturated fat.

14

Enjoying a healthy meal begins long before you sit down to eat. Your stage of life, culture, traditions, preferences, and access to food all affect the choices you make. The Build A Better Meal program will provide guiding principles to help you plan, shop and prepare meals that fuel your body with the nutrients necessary to be your best.

Why not schedule the program or display for a staff meeting, lunch and learn, conference, health or benefits fair, safety meeting, employee appreciation event or other events?

Have your CommonHealth Agency Coordinator schedule a Build a Better Meal presentation today!

Not sure who your coordinator is, check here.

Change Gradually  





Don’t try to change everything at once.

Make gradual changes over time, adding new healthy behaviors slowly. Make them part of your lifestyle!

Be cautious of fad diets, quick promises of weight loss and lowering cholesterol by eliminating a food or entire food group.

Remember good health is your goal, not a quick fix.

Focus on balanced nutrition, portion control and enjoyable exercise on your heart healthy journey.

Add these to your next grocery list:  Beans, peas and lentils  Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen

or canned without salt or added sugars)

 Salmon, tuna, sardines and

mackerel

 Whole-grain breads, cereals and

pasta, brown rice, barley

 Nuts such as almonds, walnuts,

pecans and hazelnuts

15

Commitment to Service Why do people serve in the philanthropic sense, why do they do it and what does it look like?

Our ties to others can be potent sources of meaning and belonging. One of the elements of a meaningful life is a sense of belonging—which you can develop with your family, and closest friends, of course—but also with your grocer, coffee jockey, and even a stranger on the street. These microconnections are sources of meaning we can all tap into to lead deeper and richer lives and keep us coming back for more.

According to psychologists Mark Leary and Roy Baumeister, humans feel like they belong because two conditions have been met. First, they are in relationships with others based on mutual care, and each person feels valued by the other. Second, they have frequent, rewarding interactions with others.

One could argue that acts of philanthropy neatly help marry these two conditions.

philanthrōpos, from the Greek word philein ‘to love’ + anthrōpos ‘human being’ we have the origin of the word philanthropy, the essence of the act.

give you a sense of civic belonging and activates the reward center in your brain — it fulfills the desire to be generous. “Generosity is a fundamental human need,” the Giving Tuesday panelist went on to explain. A Harvard Business School study confirmed that there is even a compounding effect and causal relationship, “…happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop (thereby happier people give more, get happier, and are even more generous).”

What does it look like?

While money is always accepted by organizations serving those in need, energy and time is just as important, if not more so. In-person volunteering provides immediate satisfaction of a meaning fulfilled.

Commonwealth of Virginia employees have an incredible capacity to accept and face challenges head-on not only in the workplace, but also their communities. Volunteering is one avenue where our employees excel, and is a win-win for all parties involved while lending a special skillset, or shared In a recent interview of the Giving Tuesday enthusiasm, for a charitable passion project. The movement team, they discussed the elements of philanthropy across socio-economic demographics Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services (OVCS) offers a listing of volunteer from the revelations of the donor and volunteer. opportunities that you can act on today. In our Acts of Service series, we’ll take a look at public sector “It’s that they realize their role as citizens—of their communities, of their cities, and of their countries— volunteerism and giving around the Commonwealth, and encourage you in 2020 to and become more civically engaged on multiple find areas that inspire you in your locale. fronts. When you take action for your community, you realize you have more agency [and commitment to the outcome] than you thought..." This cultivates a sense of belonging with our fellow human beings and perpetuates more giving.

Why give?

The simple answer to why people give is that at some level it makes them happy. While there are many benefits to charitable giving – not only does it 16

17

Say No and Go Low… Low Risk As we move into a new year, many of us use this occasion as a marker to set new goals for our health. Approaching change with a plan may help increase success and the proper support helps the changes last.

If quitting tobacco is one of your goals for this year, know there are benefits from quitting, and some even occur in under an hour.

Make 2020 the year that you quit tobacco for good!

Contact your health plan for information on making your healthy lifestyle change. Health plan contact information is available in “Reach Out for Help” on the following page.

SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIOR CHANGE Whether quitting tobacco or making a different lifestyle change, it is always

One small step at a time

It’s NEVER too late to make a healthy choice…

Quitting smoking lets the healing process begin •20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops •12 hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels drop to normal levels in your body



Explore the process



Find your “why”



Define your goal



Create a plan



Get started Contact your CommonHealth Agency Coordinator to schedule a workshop for your office.

18

•2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, your lungs begin to heal and your risk of heart attack is reduced •1 month to 9 months after quitting, you begin to breathe better with less shortness of breath and coughing •1 year after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is half of a smoker’s risk

Reach Out for Help COVA Care and COVA HDHP Medical: Anthem: 800-552-2682 or www.anthem.com/cova Prescription Drug: Anthem Pharmacy: 833-267-3108 or www.anthem.com/cova Behavioral Health & Employee Asst. Program (EAP): Anthem: 855-223-9277/www.AnthemEAP.com; Lifestyle Wellbeing Coaching COVA HealthAware Medical & Behavioral Health: Aetna: 855-414-1901 or www.covahealthaware.com Employee Asst. Program (EAP): Aetna: 888-238-6232 or www.mylifevalues.com (Password: COVA); Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Prescription Drug: Anthem Pharmacy: 833-267-3108 or www.anthem.com/cova Kaiser Permanente HMO Medical and Prescription Drug: Kaiser Permanente: 800-777-7902, 301-468-6000 in Washington, D.C. or http://my.kp.org/commonwealthofvirginia/ Behavioral Health: Kaiser: 866-530-8778; Healthy Lifestyle Programs Employee Asst. Program (EAP): Beacon Health: 866-517-7042/www.achievesolutions.net/kaiser Optima Health Vantage HMO Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision and Behavioral Health: Optima Health: 866-846-2682, www.optimahealth.com/cova/ members@optimahealth.com Employee Assistance Program (EAP): https://login.optimaeap.com/?s_username=Cova Not on a state insurance plan?—Try 1-800- QUIT NOW or Click Here

19

Published by Office of Workforce Engagement, 101 N. 14th Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Phone: (434) 841-4977

Email: susan.perry@dhrm.virginia.gov