FEI’s Manager Exchange
When Fitness for Duty is in Question
When an employee exhibits unusual, threatening or potentially dangerous behavior in the workplace, the question of whether the employee is fit to remain on duty in the workplace will often arise. Examples of this behavior include bizarre or incoherent behavior in the workplace, threats of harm to self or others, or physical altercations. A Fitness for Duty evaluation provides a medical/psychiatric determination as to whether an individual can perform the essential functions of his/her position, without a direct threat to the safety of the employee or others in the workplace.
Creating a Culture of Wellness
The number one wellness challenge that organizations have consistently found is a lack of employee engagement in wellness programs. In order to foster employee engagement and create a culture of wellness within your organization, consider the following:
Employee Illness in the Workplace
Everyone deals with an experience like cancer or other serious illness in a different way, depending on their personal coping style and the nature of their specific situation. What is true for one person may not be true for another. When managing an employee with a serious illness, keep in mind that a diagnosis of cancer or other illness is not a death sentence. Today's treatments mean that many people are cured and lead valuable, productive lives for many years after diagnosis. Do not assume that the diagnosis is the end of someone's career. In fact, in some cases people become energized to be more productive and effective after facing illness.
Introducing Mindfulness in the Workplace
Multitasking almost seems like a necessity these days. But it can launch you into the future or back toward the past rather than root you in the present. In contrast, mindfulness teaches you to live each moment of your life as it unfolds. Mindfulness can increase your enjoyment of life, expand your capacity to cope with illness, and possibly improve physical and emotional health.
Holiday Stress Management
As the days grow shorter and darker and the weather becomes colder, many of us may experience the “winter blues.” Once the holiday season is over, it is not unusual to feel a letdown. Common reactions may include sadness, regret, anxiety regarding financial obligations and a lack of energy and motivation.
Using Humor as a Management Tool
To be effective as a manager, you must be able to communicate your mission effectively, provide employees with the skills required to reach that mission, and show that you're part of the team by being approachable and accessible. By possessing good humor skills you are able to adopt a communication style that makes employees feel comfortable addressing issues and bringing new ideas to you. Humor can help to create a work environment that allows employees to perform at peak levels and nurture creativity.
Strengthening Conflict Resolution Skills
Sooner or later almost everyone will encounter conflicts within the workplace. Even in the best run organizations hurt feelings, disagreements, misunderstandings, arguments or jealousies will be inevitable between coworkers or between management and employees. When interpersonal conflicts begin to disrupt the climate of the organization, undermine morale and interfere with performance, it is necessary for managers to take action to get things back on track.
Creating New Opportunities for Older Workers
In coming years more Americans reaching their 60’s and 70’s may find it necessary, or even desire, to continue working past their normal retirement age. Older workers represent a tremendous source of experienced human capital. Although they are just as productive, adaptive and intelligent as younger workers, older workers often face obstacles such as age discrimination and limited opportunities for professional development.
National Alzheimer’s Disease & National Caregivers’ Month
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease & National Caregivers’ Month. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. Age is one of the major contributing factors to development of the disease with 1 in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 affected by Alzheimer’s. This translates into more than 5 million people in the United States living with this debilitating disease, and the number has more than doubled since 1980. By 2050 the increasing the number of individuals diagnosed annually with Alzheimer’s will range from 11.3 million to 16 million.
When a Manager Becomes a Trainer
Today, numerous managers are finding themselves thrust into the role of trainer without the benefit of any formal training and without having had the opportunity to mentor under the guidance of a more experienced trainer. The role of trainer is not to merely provide training but to improve organizational effectiveness through education and information to achieve desired outcomes.