Vaping in the Workplace

Vaping in the Workplace

The health of our businesses during these uncertain times may be called “sickly” but the health of your employees and your bottom line doesn’t have to be. While we know cigarettes are a danger to your health, we are just now learning the risks associated with vaping.  This trendy new method of nicotine delivery may not only be affecting your employees who vape, but also those who don’t.
FACTS
Vaping is also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs, and vape pens. The electronic cigarette was first developed in 2003 by a Chinese inventor, Han Lik. The way it works is the vape device heats up a cartridge of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Once heated, this mixture turns into an aerosol the user can inhale and then exhale a vapor. Since its introduction over 15 years ago, the use of e-cigs has grown exponentially as people believe that this device and vapors are a better alternative to smoking. While not more harmful than traditional cigarettes, using vape devices is definitely not “safe.”
HEALTH RISK
Because it is such a new product, experts are still learning how it affects users. Findings have shown that some of the chemicals that make up the cartridge used to deliver nicotine are linked to serious health issues and even cancer. Recently there’s been an uptick in the number of hospitalizations of young adults with lung disease as a result of vaping. It is also widely available to purchase extra-strength cartridges with double the amount of nicotine in a traditional cigarette. Users are easily addicted to this nicotine which leads to an increase in their use and an increase of long-term health issues.
VAPING IN THE WORKPLACE
As with any addiction, vaping use has spilled over into the workplace.  Cigarette smokers usually cost their employer around $5, 800 a year. This is attributed to higher healthcare expenses and lower productivity of smokers due to frequent smoke breaks and greater absenteeism.  Those who are non-smokers report that they believe that their own productivity is decreased when their co-workers are allowed to vape in their workspace. Not only that, but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that there have been an increased number of those claiming to have odor and chemical sensitivities.  This group of people may request coverage under the ADA and therefore the employer must make accommodations in the workplace to protect them and this cost goes against the business’ bottom line.

WRITING POLICY

The number one way to combat the issue of vaping in the workplace is to cover it under your current non-smoking policy.  If your business does not have a written non-smoking policy, that should be your first action point to tackle. There are currently 13 states that have banned vaping in the workplace including California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. Banning smoking of any sort in the workplace is a good start. Also, a part of this policy should include the business’ means of supporting some sort of smoking cessation program. For example, the EX program (developed by the Truth Initiative and the Mayo Clinic) gives employers a way to virtually support not only those who are trying to kick the habit, but also incentivizing your workforce to never start smoking. Once you have written this non-smoking policy, introduce it to your employees and then give them a timeframe of 60-90 days to comply.

CONCLUSION

Vaping is definitely a danger for the workplace. Both the smokers and the non-smokers are affected by the vapor of chemicals that is emitted from the vaping device. The best way to protect both groups of people is to write a non-vaping policy into your current non-smoking policy. Not only does this benefit both groups, it will benefit your bottom line.

Tools for the Remote Workplace

Tools for the Remote Workplace

The traditional workplace of physical offices and desks has changed. The new normal we are all experiencing is the remote workplace. While some are adjusting to this change without any growing pains, some may find it difficult to transition. Follow these tips to help manage your time in this new space.
SET UP A PHYSICAL WORKSPACE
You don’t need to have a home office with a door and desk to have a workspace in your home. Grab a space at your kitchen table or a card table in a corner or even a lap desk on your couch. Make this dedicated workspace the place you do all your work. Doing so creates a familiar location where your brain knows you do your work.
SET A ROUTINE
Just as you had a routine for the normal work week, you need to set up a routine for your home-based work week. This can get tricky because the things that you would normally do to get ready for work like take a shower, get dressed in work attire, eat breakfast, and drive to work may not happen anymore. The folks at Entrepreneur said it best when they said, “Now when you wake up, you’re already at work.”  You have to work at setting up a routine so you can accomplish your work goals from home. Set an alarm and wake up at a scheduled time. Set a time that you begin and end work. Take a lunch break. Make sure you schedule in some breaks throughout the day as well.
SET GOALS
Look at your work and set goals to have it finished. This may look like a list of prioritized tasks so you stay on schedule. Goals can be daily or weekly or task oriented. By setting these goals you set a schedule for yourself and you can follow this outline towards their completion.  Goals also help you eliminate distractions like the TV being on, looking at your phone, or surfing social media by requiring you stay focused on work to achieve them.
SET UP CONNECTION TIME
A remote workplace does not mean an isolated life. Work to stay connected with your co-workers in creative ways. Have a parking lot happy hour in your cars or in camp chairs to reconnect with your office mates at socially distant lengths. Office Zoom calls allow you to see familiar faces all at once. When you stay emotionally connected with your co-workers, you create a culture of support in your office and that’s something we all need!
During this uncertain time in all of our lives, there are tools to help us. Keeping up with work tasks and staying connected to others helps provide the stability that we all crave in this moment. Make sure you keep these tools handy!

How Leaders Can Set an Example for Remote Employees

How Leaders Can Set an Example for Remote Employees

 

For many of us, the experience of working entirely from home is a new one. It has required us to rethink the way we work and function as a team. Many of the routines, patterns, practices, and processes we have created over time are no longer effective, and we’ve had to institute new means of collaborating, getting our work done, and elevating the people around us.

With all these changes, there’s bound to be confusion and concern among employees about what’s expected of them. Fortunately, leaders can do a lot to soothe these fears and provide clarity. Below are a few practices I recommend.

Deliberately model what you expect to see
For many employees, working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant navigating a new work environment with new demands, distractions, and interruptions – each of which brings additional stress and frustration. In these circumstances, employees need guidance on where the company can be flexible (e.g., work hours or pace) and where they need to toe the line (e.g., company values).

It’s important to communicate your expectations, whether verbally or in writing, but the most effective strategy is simply to show employees what you expect. Images are powerful, and right now they have the power to clarify and reassure. It’s one thing, for example, for an employee to hear from their manager that it’s okay for them to take a moment here and there to tend to a child’s needs; it’s quite another for an employee to witness their manager tending to their own child’s needs. The former instructs; the latter makes the lesson real. In my own practice, I put 2-3 breaks with my family each day on my public calendar, so employees understand that taking a few minutes out of the day to care for your family is not only accepted but encouraged. Showing rather than simply telling also emphasizes the shared experience: We’re all in this together.

Share your own challenges and creative solutions
Employees won’t see most work-from-home challenges that their leaders face on a day-to-day basis, but knowing their leaders are in the same boat can be both comforting and confidence-building. Share with your team the challenges or emotions you’re working through, and any personal learnings you’ve had about ways to manage this crisis. Your employees don’t necessarily have to do things the same way you do — you’ll get better engagement, focus, and commitment by trusting them to find their own strategies. The more important thing is to communicate that they can be open with their challenges, and that those challenges are legitimate and there’s hope for the future.

Reach out socially and encourage employees to do the same
I’ve encouraged the teams here at ThinkHR and Mammoth to schedule regular, optional social time together. Midmorning coffee hours and late afternoon happy hours have been popular. We also recently celebrated our families with a virtual “Bring Your Kids to Work Day” bingo game. I hosted, and we were thrilled to see 50 kids join the call.

Employees may be hesitant to start or participate in virtual social events, especially during work hours, if they don’t feel the activities have their leader’s support. You can set an example here not only by giving the green light to occasional fun occasions, but also by participating in them. I try to join one virtual team happy hour each week, and I’m confident I get as much or more out of it as our employees.

I also recommend regularly asking your team members on an individual, unplanned basis how they’re doing and what they may need. Encourage them to do the same with their colleagues. We don’t have the benefit of spontaneous office encounters to strike up conversations and check-in with each other. We all have to be more deliberate about personal interactions. As elsewhere, you can set an example here.

by Nathan Christensen, Chief Executive Officer, ThinkHR
Originally posted on ThinkHR.com

How to Support the Mental Health of Your Employees During COVID-19

How to Support the Mental Health of Your Employees During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. People have experienced financial hardship, additional challenges with childcare and school cancellations, job loss, reduced hours, sickness, and grief. The future is uncertain, and the present is extra stressful. And to make matters worse, many of the networks and practices that people use to support their mental health are currently unavailable due to social distancing.

In this environment, where people are increasingly anxious and may be socially isolated, it’s even more important that managers support the mental health of their team members — both those who are coming into the workplace and those working from home. High stress can quickly destroy trust, inhibit empathy, and break down teams — each of which makes it more difficult for people to do their jobs. Fortunately, employers can provide some support. Here are some things employers can do to help employees manage stress and tend to their mental health:

When possible, give employees a little extra time to slow down and rest
Employees may need a moment to breathe or a day to regain their peace of mind, and they shouldn’t be afraid to ask for time to take care of themselves. The ability to occasionally function at a medium (or even slow) pace should be built into performance expectations so that employees can avoid burnout or breakdown.

Offer PTO, mental health benefits, and flexible schedules if appropriate
In some cases, employees who want to get the mental health care they need can’t afford it. Losing pay from a missed work shift might be too great a hardship, and effective treatments might be financially out of reach. These financial hindrances can exacerbate conditions like anxiety and depression. In other cases, employees can afford the time off and the treatments, but they can’t make regular appointments work with their schedules. If you can offer paid time off, health insurance benefits, or flexible schedules, these can help employees get the care they need.

Offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
An EAP gives employees access to expert, confidential assistance for substance abuse issues, relationship troubles, financial problems, and mental health conditions. These services are offered through an outside provider that connects employees with the appropriate resources and professionals. These programs enable you to provide professional assistance to employees while allowing them confidentiality at work. EAPs are also inexpensive, costing between just 75 cents and 2 dollars per employee per month.

Make reasonable accommodations when possible
If an employee informs you that they have anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, and they request an accommodation, you should begin the interactive process to determine what reasonable accommodation(s) you can provide in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA applies when an employer has 15 or more employees, but many states have similar laws that require employers to make accommodations at an even lower employee count. You can learn more about the ADA on the HR Support Center.

Create digital spaces for friendships to grow
Loneliness in the workplace can be a serious issue, with significant negative effects on both employees and the workplace. Right now, with many employees working from home, it’s harder to spot signs of it. Employers can facilitate friendships and connections between employees by setting up virtual chat programs and video conferencing apps.

Employees also need to be reassured that it’s fine for them to take a little time during the workday to reach out to others about non-work matters and participate in virtual games and other fun group activities. Managers can set the tone by participating in fun chats and activities and encouraging employees to join in. Helping employees foster friendships is not only the right thing to do, it can also reduce turnover and increase engagement.

Promote good mental (and physical) health in the workplace
Healthy habits are important for everyone to practice. Consider setting time aside during the week or month for employees to participate in activities like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness that develop and strengthen these habits. If you aren’t familiar with these practices, solicit the help of your employees. One or more of them may know a lot about these activities and be able to assist you in setting up a workplace program or modifying a program for employees currently working from home.

Make use of additional resources
During this time, employees might benefit from this three-page list of several virtual recovery resources from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and this COVID-19 resource and information guide from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

By Kyle Cupp
Originally posted on thinkhr.com