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Real Life Solutions + Workplace Solutions

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: 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