The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit provided to City employees and their eligible family members. The City’s EAP provider is Employee and
Family Resources (EFR). EFR offers many services including counseling, financial consultation, legal consultation, life coaching, and newsletters. All
involvement is confidential, and initial evaluation and referral services are offered to you at no cost. EFR is available by phone day or night at
515-244-6090 or 800-327-4692 or online at www.efr.org. Included here are copies of the Real Life Solutions and Workplace Solutions
Newsletters.
Real Life Solutions(August, 2010)
Are you an optimist? Read on to affirm your positive outlook. But what if the glass is half empty? If that’s more your style, try to ignore those
negative thoughts just long enough to read what follows and really ponder the benefits of optimism. Better yet, dare to believe the claim that you can learn to be an optimist. View newsletter
The Road to Resilience:Tips for rebounding from Adversity
Whether it’s the death of a loved one, loss of a job, serious illness, terrorist attacks or other traumatic event, how we respond to these experiences can enable us to more effectively manage these situations and enjoy life despite difficult times.
View Solutions
Workplace Solutions(August, 2010)
Your Incentives May be Draining Motivation and Decreasing Productivity View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(July, 2010)
Walking for a better state of mind. How many times have you said, "I’ve got to
get out and get some air," or "I’m going for a walk to clear my head”? You don’t know why, but getting out and getting a little
exercise just seems to make you feel better.Well, there may be more truth to that than you know. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions(July, 2010)
The Resurgence of Persistence in Tough Times. Popular literature has espoused for decades that people struggle with and even resist change. And yet, just to live our lives, we have all had to embrace change year after year – we graduate from kindergarten to grade school to middle school through high school; we leave home for college or employment; we marry and have children, perhaps one of the most life-changing events of all. So if people are “voluntarily” stepping up to accept change in their personal lives, why do we believe they will always resist change in the workplace?View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(June, 2010)
Do some co-workers confuse you with an emotional dumping ground? Keep in mind that your own
friendly body language and over-listening can contribute to the problem. Resolve to be supportive of
individuals, however, remain firm about how much personal chat you are willing to hear. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions(June, 2010)
With talent so plentiful, we may think that any hiring process will do but can you afford
to make hiring mistakes regardless of the size of the global talent pool? View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(May, 2010)
This month's RealLife Solutions focuses on making improvements in our decision making processes. Decision making skills are a key component of time management, career development and of many other aspects of our personal and professional lives. We may choose to avoid some decisions, especially if they involve some level of conflict or dissatisfaction. Our challenge is to pick one solution where the positive outcome can outweigh possible losses. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (May, 2010)
Life Coaching is offered to interested employees and their family members who contact the EAP. Conveniently delivered by a trained EFR clinician via the telephone and the web, Life Coaching is an effective and efficient resource for those seeking to make forward-looking changes in a multitude of life areas such as better decision making skills and strategies. If any employees are interested in exploring this feature of the EAP please direct them to call our counseling center at (515) 471-2320, or (888) 251-4070 toll free. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(April, 2010)
Juggling projects at work might seem difficult at the moment. But what would you do if a family crisis arose to boot? View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (April, 2010)
It seems companies have been holding their breath and counting their pennies for more than two years. Whether we’re recognizing that we can’t maintain success with inertia or we’ve realized that this recovery will not reinstate the pre-2006 glory days, companies are now emerging from the financial fog with new resolve. Rather than relying on expense reduction, we should now consider how we can make an investment in our organization’s future. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(March, 2010)
This month's RealLife Solutions is focused not only time management, but more importantly maintaining a harmonious work/life balance by avoiding energy draining pitfalls. Time wasters are factors that can keep you from accomplishing important tasks. They can come from internal or external origins. Knowing how to recognize these pitfalls will help you avoid them and stay on schedule. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (March, 2010)
Taking One for the Team - Building a strong team is important in the good times and absolutely essential when times go sour. The current economic situation has required many organizations to do more with less; fewer people to do the
work and fewer resources to support our employees’ efforts. The importance of coming together as a team during these tough times is crucial to an organization’s success. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(February, 2010)
Many people dream of making it big, whether that means becoming company CEO or winning over a crucial client. But ambition alone won’t land a corner office with a view.View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (February, 2010)
Leveraging our individual talent and the collective talent of the organization seems to be an on-going challenge whether in a good economy or bad. The Comeback Kids offers tips and perspectives for those making decisions to remain in the workplace rather than retire, retirees who may be looking to supplement their income and those who need to re-evaluate their situation in light of workforce downsizings. Going Through a Phase acknowledges that what we want from our lives and work changes over time, naturally evolving the value proposition that we expect at various phases of our lives. And finally, we remind employers how critical it is to keep the focus on talent retention even in a slow recovery. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions(January, 2010)
The work environment of the 21st century is less defined and more fluid than ever before. Most companies have experienced downsizing, outsourcing and restructuring. As a result, there are no rigid lines to define your “job.” What should you do to ensure your success in today’s ever-changing marketplace? The first and most crucial step is to take responsibility for your own career management.View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (January, 2010)
We want to thank all of you who took the time to give us feedback about how we can serve you better in 2010 as well as sharing with us what is uppermost on your minds. Our newsletter over the next 12 months will focus on the topics you told us were most important to you and your organizations. We begin with a focus on employee performance. We’ve also changed our features a bit – helping you to get to know the services provided by your EAP a little better and highlighting trends that may impact your businesses this year. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Surviving a Life Crisis (December, 2009)
Whether you call it “Christmas break” or “winter vacation,” time off in December and early January has always signified “no school!” for students—a couple of weeks dedicated to rest and relaxation. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (December, 2009)
In the spirit of the Holidays, this month we want to acknowledge the diverse ways and reasons for our seasonal celebrations. For employers, we offer cost-effective tips for de-stressing the workplace while recognizing our employee’s efforts through the last 12 months. And finally, as we face a new year, we offer encouragement about how we, as individuals, can shape the world around us by acting with character in every aspect of our lives. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Surviving a Life Crisis (November, 2009)
About 75 percent of American households own a credit card. If you number among them, then you probably appreciate the convenience and security of having access to instant credit. Used responsibly, that little plastic rectangle can save both time and money. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (November, 2009)
With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, we will all be thinking about home and family, especially their
comfort and support. In addition to our national observance of family caregivers throughout the month of
November, we’ve provided a reminder for employers of the FMLA regulations that went into effect earlier this
year. Just as our families offer us a sense of security, so too do employees look to their employers for stability.View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Surviving a Life Crisis (October, 2009)
No matter how hard we wish it
otherwise, each of us comes face-to-
face with difficult life crises.View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (October, 2009)
October is a month filled with national and local observances. So rather than having an overarching theme this
month, we’ve taken our cues from today’s headlines. Our article on the value of volunteerism is our homage to
Make a Difference Day. In Walking a Fine Line we offer suggestions for addressing the potential threat from the
H1N1 virus, furthering Health Literacy efforts. And the month’s emphasis on the employment of those with
disabilities is the focus of our article revisiting the dilemmas and opportunities when hiring and retaining this
valuable segment of the workforce. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: How Addiction Hurts Relationships? (September, 2009)
Do you tend to be in relationships with people who are out of control—compulsive gamblers, overeaters, workaholics or substance abusers?
Does your partner abuse you? Do you make excuses for your partner’s irresponsible behavior related to his/her partying? If so, you may be in a
codependent relationship. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions (September, 2009)
Once again we’re headed for another Fall; a transitional season to help us acclimate from the heat of summer to the cold of winter.
So we felt a fitting theme for our September newsletter was change. Read about the adaptability skills of each of the four generations in the
workplace. Learn about the history of women of achievement and how organizations can leverage their diverse employees. And discover the
resources available to leaders should they encounter alcohol or drug related issues in the workplace. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Healthy Lifestyles - What Gets in the Way? (August, 2009)
Everyone has heard about the healthy lifestyle choices that people “should” make in order to lead a long,
fulfilling life. You have read about the ideal diet that is low in fat, low in cholesterol, high in fiber and low in
calories; about the need to limit your red meat intake and increase your fruits and vegetables. Right? You also
have learned that 30 minutes of exercise daily is required to keep the heart healthy and the body toned and
firm, fit and vigorous. And smokers have heard about the dangers of smoking to their health and that of their
families. You have probably also read about how stress can negatively affect your health and how valuable stress
management can be to your overall well being. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions: Developing Your Leadership Skills in a Changing World (August, 2009)
For nearly two years, we have been bombarded by a landslide of bad news and leaders setting the expectation
that the economic turnaround would be long in coming. So this month, we wanted to focus on recovery and
suggesting that we turn our hesitation and caution into a focus on planning and preparation. We offer tips for
keeping the organization healthy, like how to re-engage employees through the power of relationships
and organizational practices that may unearth the next best thing since sliced bread. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions: Developing Your Leadership Skills in a Changing World (July, 2009)
As we celebrate our independence, made possible by the courage of our Founding Fathers, there probably
isn’t a more fitting theme for our July newsletter than Leadership. We’ll help you identify the critical
competencies experts suggest future leaders develop now, how you can manage the desired impact you
have as a leader and how top executives can create an organizational culture of health and productivity.View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Announcing a New Service for Our Valued EAP Client Companies (July, 2009)
Workplace Services is offering an exclusive and exciting new product on a 24/7 basis, free of charge. In 2007, My Plan After 50®, a product line that provides holistic life and non-financial pre-retirement planning services to individuals, was launched. No matter what your age, formal planning for the various stages of your life can help you maintain your well-being and productivity as you balance your life and work responsibilities. View newsletter
Workplace Solutions: Recruitment in the 21st Century... (June, 2009)
As companies and employees continue to adjust to the changes in the workplace and realities of the labor
market, we’ve focused this month on helping organizations manage various aspects of an employee’s life cycle.
June is also Safety and Home Safety month. Warnings about using sunscreen and handling fireworks carefully
might pale in relation to the recent pandemic concerns but we urge you not to ignore the hazards close to home
as we rush to embrace summer. Organizations might also take this time to spring clean their facilities and review
how safe and secure their workplace is for their employees and all who visit their work sites. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: Basic Principals of Eating Healthy (June, 2009)
This month we focus on the basics of good nutrition and what that means for overall health. Understanding how and why to eat healthier is an important step in creating a healthy lifestyle. View newsletter
Real Life Solutions: How to Handle Workplace Bullies (May, 2009)
Working in a hostile environment is difficult for everyone and can eventually affect an organization’s productivity. This month’s newsletter is focused on
workplace bullies, how to recognize and cope with them on a daily basis in order to create a healthier work environment. View newsletter