‘Call for Proposals’ Opens…

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call for proposals, Employee Assistance Professionals Association, World EAP Conference

for the 2015 World EAP Conference in San Diego

The conference will be held Sept. 28-Oct. 2 at the award-winning and newly renovated Town and Country Resort Hotel, located on 32 lushly landscaped acres with the relaxing atmosphere of a secluded resort, but just minutes from downtown San Diego, sandy beaches, the world famous San Diego zoo, and other attractions.

Attendees from more than 40 countries spanning the globe are expected to participate. The conference theme is “Blue Sky in San Diego: EAP in the 21st Century.” Focus areas for the conference are: Engaging with stakeholders, Defining and demonstrating the EA value proposition, Serving individual clients, Enhancing the EAP/work organization partnership, and Looking beyond the horizon. Deadline for all proposals is Feb. 20.

For more information, visit:  http://www.eapassn.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3753

 

 

How Inclusive is YOUR Company?

Take this Handy Checklist to Find Out!

The U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) developed a Workplace Disability Inclusion Assessment Tool to provide employers with a means to initiate or enhance their disability-friendly corporate practices.

Check the box that best applies to your organization.

RECRUITMENT                                                                                                             YES          NO          N/A

The term disability is mentioned in company materials.

Job applicants with disability are actively recruited.

Recruitment plans include community outreach to disability organizations.

Application materials are available in alternative formats.

The company regularly evaluates its physical plant for accessibility.

EMPLOYMENT                                                                                                                YES          NO           N/A

Hiring managers receive disability awareness and sensitivity training.

A company reasonable accommodation policy is in place.

An employee resource group focused on disabilities is in place.

Disability is included in diversity and inclusiveness training.

Leadership training is available for employees with disabilities.

 

This is a condensed version of the January 2015 “Workplace Connection,” a monthly bulletin that is included with a paid subscription to Job Training & Placement Report. For more information, visit http://www.impact-publications.com

 

Reasons Your Business Should Hire Someone with a Disability

Hiring a qualified person with a disability brings greater benefits beyond just filling an open position. Here are just a few of the reasons for businesses to hire someone with a disability:

* People with disabilities are capable. Despite widespread misconceptions, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable of learning new skills and completing tasks. People with disabilities also have formidable skill sets that can contribute greatly to the success  of a business.

* People with disabilities are hardworking. On-time, dedicated, productive, and loyal are just a few of the adjectives employees use to describe their employees with disabilities. Employees with disabilities often model characteristics that employers desire for their entire workforce.

* People with disabilities are good for business. Hiring people with disabilities is a visible way to demonstrate a business’ commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Workplace diversity also creates a positive culture for employees and customers. With nearly 5 million people living with a disability in our country, chances are your next customer knows someone with a disability and will appreciate your hiring practices.

This is a condensed version of the “Workplace Connection,” a monthly bulletin that is included with a paid subscription to Job Training & Placement Report. For more information, visit http://www.impact-publications.com.

 

 

Sports Depression is not Uncommon

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atypical depression, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, sports depression, sports-related depression

Since fans of the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers are probably pretty bummed out today after losing in the NFL playoffs this past weekend, I thought the following re-post, which is among the most widely-read posts on this blog, might again be useful for EAP practitioners who count sports fanatics among their corporate clients’ employees.

Sports can generate a high rush of adrenalin, especially when your favorite team is playing a long-awaited game. For many sports fans, the adrenalin rush and build-up in the media can span through the course of many days prior to the big game and then, leave a feeling of depression or melancholy when the game is over – especially if your favorite team loses. This is commonly referred to as “sports depression”, or atypical depression.

* If, after experiencing a favorite sporting event, the individual feels a sense of depression or melancholy, this is actually quite normal. In fact, expressing sadness through anger, crying, and even disinterest in activities is quite common in the day or two after the sporting event.

* For men, in particular, the onset of sports-related depression may suddenly turn to feelings of anger, which can lead to poor outcomes in interpersonal relationships – even affecting the ability to work or socialize normally.

* However, if the individual suffering from the sports depression does not seem to recover following a few days after the game, mental health services may be needed. In most cases, short-term counseling with a therapist – such as an EA professional — is effective… as is the use of rest, sleep, exercise and improved diet. The individual should also get back to doing something else he/she enjoys doing, other than watching football that is.

Source: Matzav Health (http://matzav.com).

Work Habits to Avoid in 2015

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bad workplace habits, Business Without the Bullsh*t, Geoffrey James, www.geoffreyjames.com

Here are some “not good” work habits you can do without in 2015:

1. Doing the bare minimum.  If you accept a task, you owe it to yourself and to others to make your best effort. If you don’t want to do something, have the courage to refuse the task.

2. Telling half-truths. Honesty is the best policy. However, if you’re afraid to speak the truth, it’s cowardly to tell a half-truth that’s intended to mislead.  Either tell the whole truth or tell a real lie — and accept the consequences if you’re discovered.

3. Finger-pointing.  Few human behaviors are more pointless than fixing blame. In business, it’s usually irrelevant who’s at fault when something goes wrong. What’s important is how to avoid making the same mistakes again.

4. Bucking accountability. This is common when people aren’t willing to admit their mistakes. If you’re going to take credit for your accomplishments, you must also take credit for your failures. The two go hand in hand.

5. Hating successful people. Taking secret pleasure in the failures of others makes your own success less likely. You gloat over what other people did wrong, rather than doing whatever it takes to make yourself more successful.

6. Engaging in workplace gossip. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” When you spread gossip, you’re identifying yourself as small-minded and also showing that you can’t be trusted to keep secrets.

7. Creating your own stress. While work may be stressful, you make it worse when you fail to disconnect on a regular basis. Rather than answer yet another email, take a walk, read a book, or listen to some music. Turn off your phone when you go to bed; whatever it is, it can wait.

Adapted from Business Without the Bullsh*t: 49 Secrets and Shortcuts You Need to Know by Geoffrey James. This book won the following praise from Publishers Weekly: “The author’s pithy and frank style matches his title…a quick, impactful primer for anyone wanting to be more effective on the job.”

For more information, visit http://www.geoffreyjames.com.

New Year Brings Minimum Wage Hikes in 19 States…

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minimum wage hikes

… but are they a good idea for people with disabilities? Post a comment!

Nineteen states have increased their minimum wage. Residents of three more and the nation’s capital can expect hikes later on this year.

A year ago, the White House and Democratic lawmakers embarked on a campaign to make the minimum wage a defining issue in the 2014 elections. And although that didn’t pan out exactly as planned at the federal level, nearly half the states took action on the issue.

Where wages are increasing

In three states—Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota—voters approved ballot measures in November to increase the minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Alaska voters passed an initiative raising the minimum wage in the state to begin Jan. 1. But the pay increase isn’t effective until 90 days after the election results are certified, Feb. 24.

Meanwhile, legislatures in seven states—Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia—approved laws boosting the minimum wage. Those laws go into effect today.

Though Delaware and Minnesota’s state lawmakers voted to raise the minimum wage, those increases won’t begin until June and August, respectively. The District of Columbia will see a minimum wage hike beginning July 1.

>>> Higher Fast-Food Wages: Higher Fast Food Prices

New York raised its minimum wage to $8.75 an hour beginning and will see another increase to $9 an hour beginning Dec. 31, 2015.

Nine other states will see increases in their minimum wages as state laws mandate automatic increases to make up for rising prices. Those states are: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon and Washington.

Among states raising the minimum wage, Washington state will boast the highest at $9.47 an hour–but only until July 1, when the District of Columbia will have the highest in the nation at $10.50 an hour.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Source: The Daily Signal.