Chamber Health & Wellness Connection News & Events

Steps Employers Can Take Now To Respond to Concerns About Swine Flu

Each day more news is being reported about Swine Flu and the possibility of a pandemic. There is no certainty that a pandemic will occur, however, preparation is always preferable to being caught off guard. To clarify, a pandemic is an epidemic over a large geographical area affecting a large proportion of the population. Employers should take a few simple steps now to respond to concerns about Swine Flu:

• Upgrade hygiene protocols for both office environments and employees including maintenance of air-conditioning systems and sanitation of common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and elevators.
• Advise employee to stay home if they feel ill. And to contact their personal physicians if they have flu-like symptoms.
• Review leave policies related to illness. Will pay provisions be relaxed to encourage employees to stay at home if they are potentially contagious? Assure that your policies do not discourage workers from staying home if they are.
• Check and follow health advisories prior to sending employees on business travel to affected areas or temporarily suspend travel to those areas.

Should a pandemic occur, there are steps employers can take to prepare their employees and operation. Specifically:

• Identify core activities essential for business continuity and the skills necessary to stay operational. Cross-training of employees may be required.
• Explore how work would continue if half your workforce is not at work. Absenteeism rates between 20%-60% could be expected during the height of the pandemic.
• Provide equipment and support for employees to telecommute if their jobs permit. "Social distancing" is a key tactic to limit the spread of the virus.
• Encourage flex hours to avoid overcrowding the workplace.
• Review corporate-wide insurance policies, specifically health, disability, salary continuance, business travel and life insurance related to the pandemic. Communicate policy provisions to employees.

The Centers for Disease Control, the federal government, and the State of Colorado are providing up-to-date information on the spread of Swine Flu, the status of the pandemic alert, and recommendations on preparation for both employers and individuals.

It is important to keep the risk of a pandemic in perspective. No one is sure if or when it may occur. Assessing the risk of a pandemic in the workplace is not dissimilar to any other workplace disruption. For more information on emergency preparedness planning, review our FYIs Emergency Preparedness - An Overview, Guide for Business Pandemic Readiness, and Pandemic Flu.

Letting Go...
by Jess Dushane, Awaken Within

Have you found yourself either now or in the past struggling in a situation that no longer serves you...?
 
Is it time to let go of individuals or situations that are keeping you from being all that you are...?
 
Sometimes it's difficult to know when enough is enough. Limiting beliefs, behaviors, & fears get in the way, causing us to fear what might be & question what actually is. Working through & releasing these fears is a great way to come to a decision and the truth for everyone is that when the time comes you will just know.
 
Your Assignment:
 
The time has come for you to get clear on what no longer serves you. Take a few moments of quiet, reflective time & think about the situation at hand.
 
Ask yourself the following questions:  

1. What are the relationships & situations in my life that no longer serve me? For example, this could be a negative person or influence in your life. It could also be a recurring pattern or way of behaving that is no longer healthy for you (i.e. drinking alcohol, over-eating, not working out, etc...). It could also just be someone you care deeply for but you are just no longer vibrating at the same level any longer!
2. Of these, what can I let go of now, without hesitation? These are typically the easier ones - not eating well, not working out, spending too many hours at the office, etc...
3. Of the remaining relationships & situations that are left, why am I holding onto them...?  Get really clear on why you are still clinging to the person or situation. Are you provided with financial security by staying in the situation? Is it because they are family & you equate "letting go" with eliminating them from your life completely? Does it really have to look like that...? How often in the past have you let these same fears & concerns dictate your life? Notice any patterns & see if it's YOU that's holding you back.
4. What are the costs of staying in this situation? Perhaps this could be lack of self-esteem, not feeling connected, feeling energetically drained, the effect this is having on others besides yourself (i.e. children), etc... 
5. What would your life look like if you could release your attachment to the situation? What are the benefits of letting go? Would there be more joy? More freedom? What would you look like...? How would you feel...? How would you survive or move on...? What are ALL the things possible...?

By answering these questions you will gain clarity on your reasons for continuing to hold on and of course, you always have the choice to either keep holding on or to just simply let go. Only you can decide what's best!
If you DO decide to let go, practice non-judgment & be very gentle with yourself. Emotions may rise. Your monkey mind will chatter & try to convince you of all the reasons NOT to let go. Keep reminding yourself of the benefits, trust your higher consciousness, & know that when you make decisions that are to your benefit, ALL will be benefited.
 
Do you want to expedite healing of the "letting go" process...? Consider working with me to help you release those old limiting patterns, beliefs, & fears! A guided Journey session will help you release the monkey mind chatter, emotions, & the subconscious beliefs & behaviors that are keeping you stuck AND give you even further clarity on the TRUTH of who you really are.