• Ambiguity
  • One of the most stressful aspects of transition or any circumstance is ambiguity. It invites speculation and rumor.
• Fear of job change or loss
  • Fear in the context of struggling to know what is realistic and what is catastrophic thinking
  • Heightened vulnerability, vigilance and a sense of waiting for the next "shoe to drop"
  • Anticipating whether there really is another shoe about to drop
  • Concerns over the cumulative effects of change
  • Overperformance and a heightened concern regarding the adequacy of performance
  • Concern that performance standards are being raised
  • Concern that others will interpret stress as a sympton of inadequacy
• Remaining on the job while others are let go, transferred, etc.
  • Guilt for surviving
  • Experiencing grief for co-workers who lost jobs
  • Sense of inadequacy in meeting additional demands
  • Anger and resentment
  • Stress that comes with ambiguity until a new structure is defined
• Indicators of stress
• Avoidance of co-workers and supervisor
• Tardiness and absenteeism
• Over-sensitivity
• Co-worker and customer complaints
  
• Perfectionistic, rigid, controlling behavior
  
• Decreased patience or frustration tolerance
  
• Uncharacteristic mistakes
  
• Increased health concerns
  
• Decreased motivation and morale

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WOMEN AND SMOKING

U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher has released the first report on women and smoking since 1980 and the findings are dire:

• Over three million women have died from smoking related illness since 1980
• A woman who smokes one pack a day or more will cut short her life an average of 14 years.
• More women in the United States now die from lung cancer than breast cancer.
• Children under 14 years who live in households where one parent continually smokes suffer over twice as many upper respiratory infections and are sick longer than children residing in smoke free environments.
  

These findings are so startling that recently appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson stated that "Speaking for myself, I think tobacco should be regulated." (Associated Press, 3-28-01) In Congress, legislation to empower the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco has been reintroduced.

Regardless of what actions the government takes, individuals still have the power and freedom to break free from their personal smoking habits. Employee Health Systems is standing by to help if you make a personal decision to go smoke free. Call us at (585) 865-7446 for information about smoking cessation programs in your area or for telephonic support if you're going the "cold turkey" route.

And if vanity is more important to you than health, consider recent research from the University of Sussex (England) which explains those deeply etched lines on smokers' faces, particularly women's' faces. Researchers there have discovered that nicotine essentially shuts down a gene that produces collagen, a substance which keeps the skin soft and supple. It remains to be seen if quitting smoking restores this gene to its full function.

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TALKING WITH KIDS ABOUT TOUGH ISSUES

AIDS, sex, violence, alcohol and other drugs. Young people are bombarded with messages about these and other tough issues each day. These messages shape a child's attitudes and guide his or her decisions later in life. To make sure your children get the message you want them to hear, follow these guidelines:

START EARLY - The ideal time to start is when a child is first exposed to these issues through the media or other sources.

INITIATE CONVERSATIONS - Although the child may not talk about these issues, s/he is most likely thinking about them. Ask questions. Start the conversation. If you find talking about these issues difficult, understand that the more you do it, the more comfortable you'll feel.

CREATE AN OPEN ENVIRONMENT - Through both actions and words, make it clear that the child can talk to you about anything that's on his/her mind.

LISTEN TO YOUR CHILD - The tougher the issue, the more important it is to be a good listener. Also, know that children aren't always looking for answers - sometimes they just want someone who cares to listen.

ALWAYS BE HONEST - If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. But say what you'll do to find the answer and get back to the child.

BE PATIENT - If you don't have the time to spare, be honest, and set aside a time and place convenient to both of you.

SHARE YOUR VALUES - Tell the child what you expect and why. The child will appreciate your guidance and instruction.

USE TV AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL - Most TV shows are a poor reflection of reality, which makes them an ideal point of origin for initating discussion, talking about the truth and expressing your values.

TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN ... AND AGAIN - One conversation may not be enough. Remind the child that you are interested.

Source: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now.

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TOP 5 MOST COMMON REASONS EMPLOYEES GIVE FOR A POSITIVE DRUG TEST - AND WHY THEY'RE WRONG

Reality: Someone taking ibuprofen will not test positive for marijuana use because tests can distinguish between the two.

Reality: Government-certified testing labs and collection sites follow a strict, three-step testing process. False test positives are extremely rare.

Reality: The procedures used by government-certified are as strict as those used by the courts to secure evidence.

Reality: Eating hemp burgers, hemp chocolates or other hemp-based products will not trigger a positive test.

Reality: Studies show that it's highly improbable that someone could ingest enough second-hand marijuana smoke to fail a drug test.

• Every 12 seconds, a woman is beaten by her partner
• More than 2.5 million women are victims of violence each year in the United States
• Alcohol and other drugs are associated with up to half of all spousal abuse cases
• Men who batter may drink in order to give themselves permission to be violent. These men may believe that violence that occurs while drinking may be excused or forgiven
• Medical expenses from domestic violence total between $3-$5 billion annually
• Businesses lose another $100 million in lost wages, sick leave, absenteeism and lowered productivity that results from violence
• Domestic violence accounts for almost 100,000 hospital days, 30,000 emergency room visits and 40,000 doctor appointments each year.
• Domestic violence occurs more frequently in areas with high concentrations of liquor stores
• A study of men arrested for battering found that 32 percent had a drug problem and 22 percent had problems with both drugs and alcohol
• Studies suggest that treating substance abuse problems lowers incidences of domestic violence.

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1. Buy sufficient insurance including health, auto and homeowner's (or renter's) insurance

2. Pay off credit cards and other high-interest loans.

3. Build an emergency fund to cover 3 to 6 months living expenses.

4. Save for big-ticket expenses, such as a new car or the kids' college tuition.

5. Invest in your employer-sponsored retirement plan (e.g., 401k. tax-sheltered annuity). If you're not eligible for such a plan consider investing in an individual retirement account (IRA).

• Telemarketers must identify the name of their organization and the purpose of their call (e.g., to sell a product, solicit funds for charity) before they start their pitch.
• They may call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., your time.
• They must take your name off their calling list, if you ask.
• They must tell you the total cost of the products or services offered, or the odds of winning in a prize promotion.
• They must inform you of any restrictions that apply to their offer.
• They may not lie about the nature of the product, service or promotion.

• Be a bit skeptical. How much do you know about the organization that's calling you?
• Don't pay for a product or service you haven't received. Ask for written information before buying.
• Don't pay by courier or overnight delivery.
• Don't give out your Social Security, credit card or bank account numbers.
• Teach your kids not to give out financial information to anyone over the telephone.