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HR Updates
This section includes: • New Hire Announcements • Important Policy Changes • Event Announcements • Upcoming Holidays • Employee Well-Being
Important Policy Changes
The Employee Handbook will be revised and distributed by January 2022. It will be distributed through Saba.
Upcoming Holidays
• The offices will be closed on November 25th & 26th to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. • The offices will be closed from December 24-31 for the Holiday Break. • The offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, to observe MLK Day.
Key Dates/Event Announcements
• State of the Firm @ The Castaway, Burbank – Friday 12/10 10 am to 3 pm • If you have recently moved, please update your address with HR for year-end payroll purposes. • The 2022 Annual Limits for Benefit plans are listed below. If you want to make any adjustments, please notify HR. 2022 Annual Limits:
HSA Contribution Limit – Single HSA Contribution Limit – Family HSA Catch-up contribution (ages 55 and over) 401(k) Contribution Limit 401(k) Catch-up contribution (ages 50 and over) Medical FSA Dependent Care Commuter Benefits 2021 Limit $3,600 $7,200 $1,000
$19,500 $6,500
$2,750 $5,000 $270/month 2022 Limit $3,650 $7,300 $1,000
$20,500 $6,500
$2,750 $5,000 $280/month
Employee Well-Being – By Lisa Arangua
Mental health issues have always been in the workplace, but since the COVID-19 crisis the emotional challenges of employees have spiked tremendously. Our well-being is closely linked to our health and productivity. Any one of us can experience crippling levels of stress and anxiety.
I came across a new phrase, “engaged-exhausted”, which has to deal with burnout. Burnout is much more than a buzzword. The stressors of the new work environment can start to wear on all of us. This has a direct impact on our physical and mental well-being. SHRM conducted a survey of 5,000 employees and found that 31% of employees felt both motivated to do their best and burned out at the same time.
I have read numerous articles and participated in many webinars over the last year just on this subject alone. I read an article, “Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak”, written by clinical psychologist, Desiree Dickerson. Her article really resonated with me. She wrote it at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is still relevant today.
1. Manage your expectations – do not underestimate the cognitive and emotional load that this pandemic brings, the impact on your productivity. Difficulty concentrating, low motivation, and distractions are to be expected. Adaptation will take time; go easy on yourself. We need to be realistic about our goals.
2. Proactively manage your stress threshold – lay a solid foundation for your mental health & well-being, prioritize your sleep and practice good sleep hygiene, eat well, and exercise.
3. Know your red flags – one way to manage moments of distress is to identify key thoughts or physical sensations that tend to contribute to your cycle of distress and feelings of being overwhelmed. Our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions each feed into and amplify these negative emotional spirals. Focusing on one can de-escalate the cycle.
4. Routine is your friend – it helps to manage anxiety and adapt more quickly to the current reality. Create a clear distinction between work & non-work time. Find something to do that is not work and brings you joy. Working in short bursts and taking clear breaks will help maintain your clarity of thought.
5. Be compassionate with yourself & with others – there is a lot that we cannot control, but how we talk to ourselves during challenging times can either provide a powerful buffer or amplify our distress. Moments of feeling overwhelmed come with big thoughts, such as “I cannot do this.” The pandemic will cause a lot of stress for many of us, we must ask for help or reach out when help is asked of us.
6. Maintain connections – even the most introverted of us need some sense of connection with others. We need not to feel alone.
7. Manage uncertainty by staying in the present – take each day as it comes & focus on the things you can control.
These are definitely some very good tips to follow. They apply to both our professional and personal life. I also want to remind you that our health carriers, Anthem & Kaiser, offer many resources, especially relating to your well-being. We created a page on our Company Intranet that will focus on Employee Well-Being. Click on the following link to view the page – Employee Well-Being
Anthem Benefits – Anthem Discounts Emotional Well-being Resources Program – coming January 2022 Earn up to $200 in rewards with Wellbeing Solutions Access to myStrength – 24/7 health club for your mind Visit www.anthem.com/ca for additional resources - Diabetes Prevention Program; Live Coach; 24/7 Nurseline; LiveHealth Online
EAP Program – www.anthemeap.com Info flyer – Welcome to your EAP Info flyer – Financial Wellness Info flyer – Organizing for greater success Kaiser Benefits – www.kp.org/memberservices Personalized Plan to Stay Healthy 24/7 Advice Line Comprehensive Approach to Specialty Care
