Dear UAH,

As the year starts to unfold, we can feel the excitement of change and new opportunities. Nevertheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that the coming year may also come with its share of stress and uncertainty. If you or your employees need help, ComPsych GuidanceResources is here for you. We urge you and your staff to make the most of our resources, tools and support to usher in a healthy and happy 2024. For any additional guidance, please reach out to your account manager.This edition of Newsline, our customer newsletter for HR and benefits professionals, features resources about Black History Month, Heart Health, Ways to Beat Inflation, How to Spot a Scam, Tax Prep, and more!GuidanceResources—Your Life. Your Work. Your Best.

 

The Tools You Need Today   

We have developed and curated these resources to address current and potential issues that may impact your organization. If you opt to share some or all of these resources with your employees, you may use the following Employee Distribution Email Template, which bundles the resources with suggested messaging. 

Employee Distribution Email Template

 

February is Black History Month and a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Tap on the link below to dive deeper into this topic.

Black History Month

 

American Heart Month is incredibly important for raising awareness about heart health and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, so it’s essential to educate ourselves and take preventative measures. Take a look at the link below for further information.

Heart Health

 

The most effective way to manage finances during high levels of inflation is to create a strict budget and eliminate as much discretionary spending as possible. After that, there are some small steps you can take to halt inflation’s impact, such as cooking at home, buying used items when possible, traveling in non-busy seasons, and more. Click the resource below for more suggestions on how to beat inflation.

Ways to Beat Inflation

 

Spotting scams is crucial to protect yourself and your hard-earned money. If an offer or prize sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. There are four main types of scams, and they are described in the resource below.

How to Spot a Scam

 

When it comes to tax prep, there are a few different ways you can make the process smoother.  Making sure to gather all your necessary documents, like W-2 forms and receipts, in one place is a good first step. Discover additional tips in the resource below.

Tax Prep

 

The resources below explain how the GuidanceResources Employee Assistance Program can support your well-being efforts. Your Employee Assistance Program offers confidential emotional support, as well as legal, financial and work-life guidance, whenever and wherever you need it.

Annual EAP Poster

How Your EAP Can Help: Preventing Burnout

How Your EAP Can Help: Easing Anxiety

Video - What To Expect When Reaching Out

 

For Your Benefits/Program Managers: Q1 2024 Program Communications

In addition to the ComPsych GuidanceResources communications calendar materials for Q1, the Topical Communications Calendar offers some March-specific materials. Alongside the resources found in this Newsline edition, look for titles on International Day of Happiness and International Women’s Day. As a reminder, all of the 2024 GuidanceResources employee communications calendar materials, as well as the current topical materials, are available for immediate download via the ComPsych ResourceCenter.To access your materials, visit the ComPsych ResourceCenter. 

 

Join Us for GuidanceTalks

In our next session:

  • "Supporting Employee Well-being: What Can Your Do As a Manager?"
    Organizations are investing in benefits to improve employee well-being, and taking on initiatives to foster a culture of wellbeing in the workplace. However, many employees still feel that their job is an obstacle to their wellbeing rather than a help. What can you do as a manager to shift that perception? Kenny Zuckerberg, Vice President of Learning & Organizational Excellence at ComPsych, will describe ways in which a manager can promote employee well-being, become an advocate for wellbeing resources and more!

In our most recent session:

  • "Keys to 2024 Well-Being Success", Shannon Reaska, Director of Account Services at ComPsych, discussed key trends and observations from 2023, the year’s most effective tools and services, and the things to focus on in 2024 to ensure a successful well-being program. 

To watch previous sessions and register for upcoming talks, visit the GuidanceTalks Center: 

GuidanceTalks Center

 

From the Newsroom

Recently, ComPsych Corporation sponsored Business Group on Health’s podcast led by Andrew Penn from UCSF, which focused on the clinical evidence and research on psychedelics. Click the link below to listen.

Business Group on Health Podcast

When it comes to compliance with state and federal leave laws, sometimes a lack of manager training can be to blame for violations, Matt Morris, Vice President of FMLASource, ComPsych Corp., told attendees of a virtual session hosted Jan. 17 by the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC).“We don’t hire managers to be FMLA experts,” Morris said. “We hire them because they are good people managers. They are good subject matter experts.” View the full HRDive.com article below for more information.

The Lazybones, the Jerk, and the Badgerer: 6 Types of Managerial FMLA, ADA Offenders

 

Industry News

  • A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that 56 percent of employees reported work-related stress and 25 percent are struggling with sleep due to work-related anxiety.
  • In 2023, nearly 60 percent of kids with depression did not receive any treatment, according to Mental Health America.

 

Featured Products

WellthSource: Financial Wellness for the Digital Age
Available as a fully integrated enhancement to current EAP programs, WellthSource is a needs-based, digital financial wellness platform that offers interactive, guided programs, tools and resources, 24/7. Available on desktop, tablet and mobile platforms, WellthSource helps users create a well-planned, flexible and sustainable lifestyle of healthy financial choices and habits. Features include:

  • Easy-to-follow digital modules to create a legally binding will and personalized financial plan
  • Needs-based, guided programs on all of the key areas of financial well-being
  • Convenient online and mobile access to thousands of cutting-edge financial tools and services
  • Access to ComPsych’s dedicated staff of in-house CPAs, CFPs and other financial experts

Click here for more information on WellthSource.

If you have any questions, contact your account manager.

 

Well-Being Coaching
Available as a fully integrated enhancement to current well-being programs, Well-Being Coaching offers unlimited access to our staff of health coaches to help employees overcome challenges to their mental and physical health and well-being. Coaching topics cover a wide variety of socio-emotional issues, as well as physical health issues, including burnout, stress, resiliency, time management, self-esteem, motivation, exercise, nutrition, weight management, sleep, back care, tobacco cessation, and much more. 

Click here for more information on Well-Being Coaching.

If you have any questions, contact your account manager.
 
Best Wishes for a Fantastic February!
Please reach out to your account manager for any needs you may have.
 

Kind Regards,

ComPsych Corporation 

To submit an announcement, contact omc@uah.edu.
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