Wellness Tips for Summer!
Summer is a fun time of year when people often spend more time outside and with friends. With this increased activity comes the need to reconsider the usual wellness habits you use throughout the rest of the year. There are several ways to ensure you have a healthy, fun and productive summer. During the summer months, here are some reminders:
- Stay inside during extreme heat.
- Protect yourself from the sun.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat summer foods.
- Make time to exercise.
- Take a vacation to prevent burnout.
With the change of weather and activity that summer often brings, it’s still important to prioritize your well-being even though your routine may differ from other times of the year. Contact Evolution of Benefits for more wellness tips and related content.
Speak with us to learn more about Wellness Tips for Summer and how you can best protect yourself.
HR Insights: 5 Tips for Managing Employees During the Great Reshuffle
The Great Reshuffle—a mass movement of workers leaving jobs with which they are not satisfied—shows no signs of slowing down. As Generation Z and Millennials begin to make up more of the workforce, it has become clear that values and priorities have shifted from those of previous generations. Furthermore, unemployment rates are down, and the employment market is currently very worker friendly. The combined effect of these factors is that employees more readily move between different jobs to find those that align with their priorities and desires. This often means seeking out better compensation or benefits, workplace flexibility, career development opportunities or the right culture fit.
The Great Reshuffle can make for a challenging environment for employers, but several tips can help mitigate the issues employers may face. Consider the following strategies:
- Offer Remote and Hybrid Options
- Focus on Employee Well-being
- Play to Each Employee’s Strengths
- Create Systems of Accountability
- Maximize Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs
For more information on workplace trends, contact Evolution of Benefits today.
Live Well, Work Well – The Benefits of Seasonal Produce
In today’s supermarket, it’s normal to see the same produce available year-round. However, that doesn’t mean the quality always remains the same. Eating seasonally means you are simply taking advantage of the harvest schedule and enjoying fully mature produce at the peak of its growing season. Seasonal eating can also help encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables daily.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables daily.
- Staying Safe in the Summer Sun
- Sunscreen labels must follow specific guidelines.
- U.S. Drug Overdoses Hit Record High in 2021
- Banana Berry Muffins
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Infographic – July 2022 is UV Safety Awareness Month
Summertime is here! Now’s the time you can get outside, enjoy nice weather and soak up some sun. But, like with any good thing, too much sunshine can actually hurt your body. That’s because the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays contain radiation that can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself from UV exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, here’s what you can do to stay safe while appreciating the outdoors:
- Find shade when you need it.
- Wear clothing that protects against direct sunlight (e.g., a wide-brimmed hat).
- Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Speak with us to learn more about the risks of UV exposure and how you can best protect yourself.
Employers See Increasing Numbers of Lawsuits Over Deficient COBRA Notices
Employers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) election notices, with statutory penalties of up $110 per person per day. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. The fact employers are struggling to comply with COBRA notice requirements means employers should brace for increased election notice litigation.
“The DOL is ‘keeping an eye’ on the need for additional COBRA guidance, but other issues have taken priority.”
– Elizabeth Schumacher, deputy director of the DOL’s Division of Regulations and Standards
7 Tips for Keeping Young Employees Safe
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently reminded employers hiring youth-aged workers to review workplace practices and comply with federal child labor laws to ensure these hires have a safe and beneficial experience.
In 2021, the DOL indicated workplace injuries and illnesses among youth-aged employees—those who are under 18 years old—have been rising since 2017. Employers most commonly hire young workers in the summer, with July typically being the peak employment month. Employers should do all they can to ensure the safety of their younger employees.
The DOL provides seven strategies and various resources for creating a safe and healthy workplace for youth-aged employees.
- Verify Ages of Youth-aged Workers
- Ensure Managers Are Trained on Child Labor Laws
- Educate Youth-aged Workers on Prohibited Jobs and Permitted Schedules
- Review Time Records
- Post Warning Labels on Prohibited Equipment
- Train Youth-aged Workers on Job Hazards and Safety Precautions
- Encourage Youth-aged Workers to Raise Safety Concerns
Live Well, Work Well – EWG Releases 2022 Dirty Dozen List
Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a report ranking pesticide residue levels of fruits and vegetables based on samples taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration. This report is designed to help consumers make healthy and informed choices and reduce their exposure to toxic pesticides.
More than 70% of non-organic produce sold in the United States contains potentially harmful pesticide residue, according to the EWG.
The report includes a list of the most pesticide-tainted produce, known as the “Dirty Dozen.” Here’s the 2022 list:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard and mustard greens
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Bell and hot peppers
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Celery
- Tomatoes
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Infographic – June 2022 is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms may eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. It’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s is a brain disease—it’s not a normal part of aging.
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time meant to reinforce that your brain is a vital organ. It manages your ability to communicate, make decisions and live a full, independent life. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are some ways to support brain health. Lifestyle habits like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, sleeping enough, and challenging your mind through learning or games can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Contact us to learn more about Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Live Well, Work Well – What To Know About The Powdered Infant Formula Recall
If you use powdered infant formula, be aware certain Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products have been recalled and should not be used.
The FDA has published a full list of recalled brands. Recalled products should no longer be available for sale; however, check the packaging if you have them in your home to determine if they are included in the recall.
Which powdered infant formula products have been recalled?
Abbott Nutrition has recalled certain powdered infant formula products produced at its Sturgis, Michigan, facility. Products from that facility can be found across the United States, and some were exported to other countries. Here’s how you can tell if you have any of those products.
The FDA recommends consumers look at the lot code, a multidigit number on the bottom of a container of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered infant formula. Do not use the product if all of the following are present:
- The first two digits of the code are 22-37
- The container code contains K8, SH or Z2
- The expiration date is 4-1-2022 or later
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Live Well, Work Well – Resources To Help Find Infant Formula During The Shortage
To address the infant formula shortage amid medical device and health care company Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas, the Biden administration is working to ensure that formula is safe and available for families across the country. President Biden spoke with several retailers and manufacturers—including Walmart, Target, Reckitt and Gerber—to discuss ways to get formula quickly and safely onto store shelves. He also announced a series of actions to make formula more accessible, including cutting red tape on the types of formula parents can buy, calling on the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to crack down on price gouging and unfair market practices, and increasing formula supply through increased imports.
If you cannot readily find formula, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suggests consulting the following resources.
Manufacturer Hotlines
- Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert—Reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat or video call who can help you identify a similar formula that may be more readily available.
- Abbott’s Consumer Hotline—Call 1-800-986- 8540.
- Abbott’s urgent product request line—Ask your OB-GYN or your infant’s pediatrician to submit an urgent product request by downloading and completing this form.
- Reckitt’s Customer Service line—Call 1-800 BABY-123 (222-9123).
View and download the latest Live Well, Work Well newsletter
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
