Smoke-Free Environment

We have all been told that smoking is bad for our health and the health of those around us. It is currently the leading cause of preventable death and is responsible for 480,000 deaths per year in the United States; including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. In keeping with Henrico County’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment, as of August 1, Henrico’s Western and Eastern Government Centers are smoke‐free. According to the new policy, “County‐owned and County‐leased buildings over which the County Manager has control shall be smoke‐free, including private offices. For purposes of this policy, this also shall include County‐owned vehicles. The smoke-free designation also pertains to vaping, e-cigarettes, and other like devices.” Subsequently, designated smoking areas, including cigarette boxes, at these locations will be eliminated and new “Smoke-Free Environment” signage will be added.

Employees that do smoke are encouraged to consult a medical professional regarding tobacco cessation. There is no doubt that quitting smoking is difficult, but it is not impossible. It is estimated there are 45 million smokers in the U.S., but there are at least 48 million former smokers, and if they could do it, maybe you could join their ranks. Just remember, most people have to try to quit more than once, so don’t get discouraged if that is the case for you. Consider talking to your doctor about smoking cessation strategies that might be right for you or look into these resources offered to Henrico County Employees:

  1. Employee Health Services (EHS) is available to meet with employees individually to discuss smoking cessation strategies. If an employee prefers a prescribed cessation medication, they will be referred to their Primary Care Physician (PCP). Please contact EHS over the phone at (804) 501-1600 or stop by their office at 7740 Shrader Rd, Suite A, Henrico, VA 23228.
  2. Quit Now is a free service through the Virginia Department of Health that assists Virginians to quit smoking and using tobacco products. They can be contacted at 1(­800) ­784-8669, www.QuitNow.net/Virginia, or via a referral from Employee Health Services.
  3. Anthem members have access to cessation support services and benefits. Please visit anthem.com or reach out to the Human Resources Benefits Division at (804) 501-7371 or [email protected] for more information.
  4. The Employee Assistance Program through Optima Health offers My Life My Plan “Staying Healthy” a collection of self-paced at-home programs including a tobacco cessation program called “Get Off Your Butt: Stay Smokeless for Life” and additional resources.

It is your individual choice to quit smoking, but you do not have to do it alone! If you have questions or concerns regarding the new smoking policy, please contact John Neal at [email protected].

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New Ways to Learn and Lead: OLTD’s Leadership Programs and Learning Opportunities

As we emerge from the COVID crisis this summer, most of us are enjoying the beginnings of getting back to “normal.” Our social routines and work, turned upside down by COVID, may be beginning to normalize. Plus, as our kids return to the classroom this fall, we may be craving our own opportunities for learning and growth. Look no further than Organizational Learning and Talent Development (OLTD) for help!

OLTD is excited to be once again offering in-person learning in fiscal year (FY) 21/22, and in a variety of formats. We also have two leadership programs, including the brand-new Leadership Henrico (LH) program for supervisors, and the Emerging Leaders Certification Program (ELCP), specifically for non-supervisors.

Discover more about our leadership programs and learning opportunities here:

Leadership Henrico:

Registration is now open for our brand new Leadership Henrico (LH) program kicking off on September 29th! Designed for supervisors and replacing the Leadership Development Program (LDP), LH is a contemporary, agile new program open to all supervisors of permanent full- or part-time employees, at all levels of the organization, including anyone who participated in LDP.

There are four “Years,” or levels, in the program, and they include elements like:  

  • Networking: creating continuity of connection throughout the program 
  • Mentoringconversations that will change and adapt with your needs each Year  
  • Guidanceon how to support and grow your employees  
  • Collaborationwith other leaders from all backgrounds and positions 
  • Minimal paperwork: the focus is on experiences, conversation, learning, and giving back  

Check out LH Overview: What’s In It for YOU? for more information.

To register, log in to HRMS, go to Employee Direct Access > Learning, Learner Home > Browse Catalog > Human Resources > Specialized Training > Leadership Henrico Kickoff  

Registration Deadline: August 27, 2021.

Emerging Leaders Certification Program (ELCP):

Designed specifically for non-supervisors, the Emerging Leaders Certification Program (ELCP) provides the framework, tools, and experiences to strengthen leadership skills, self-awareness, and initiative and support leadership in any role. 

The four levels of the program focus on different leadership themes and feature:

  • Instructor-led leadership learning opportunities and experiences
  • Projects targeting different leadership themes
  • Discussion groups focusing on leadership topics
  • Individual and collaborative group reflections on learning and accomplishments

Please see our ELCP Program Overview for details. Application deadline: November 30, 2021

Training Classes: 

OLTD’s 2021-2022 Training Catalog is full of workshops that will be held in-person and also “live online,” so you can take advantage of either learning remotely or conversation and connection in a physical classroom setting.

Just a few of our new classes in FY 21/22 include:

  • Rediscovering Your Mojo: Life Post-Pandemic
  • Candid Conversations on Inclusion and Belonging
  • Immunity to Change: Overcoming Hidden Barriers
  • Communicating with Diplomacy and Professionalism
  • Think Again: Keeping Your Mind Flexible for Effective Leadership
  • Mindful Living: Building Resilience and Wellbeing

For a full listing of classes, check out our 2021-2022 Training Calendar and register in HRMS

Videos:  

When you need knowledge immediately, our just-in-time videos provide quick tips to help you gain the wisdom you need in real-time to succeed. You can access information on topics regarding Leadership/Professional Development, Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellness, and Working from Home—just to name a few—anywhere, anytime.

Learning Hub:

If you’re looking for additional resources beyond training classes and programs to add to your knowledge base, our Learning Hub is here to help! It’s your one-stop-shop for information on our leadership programs and learning opportunities. You’ll find resources for OLTD’s training workshops and leadership programs, along with helpful articles and videos to help you increase your expertise in a variety of areas.

OLTD is here for you to help you grow, develop, and succeed, whatever your role. Take advantage of the many opportunities we offer to gain knowledge, learn new skills, and grow and develop as a leader.

If you have questions about any of the above resources, contact OLTD at 501-7201 or [email protected].

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Say ‘Good Night’ to Improve Health

A good night’s sleep is just as important to your health as dieting and exercising. Unfortunately, there is a lot that can interfere with natural sleep patterns and quality. Here are 10 reasons why good sleep is so important.

1. Poor sleep is linked to higher body weight.

Adults that do not get enough sleep tend to weigh significantly more than those who get adequate sleep. In fact, short sleep duration is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity. The effect of sleep on weight gain is believed to be mediated by hormones and motivation to exercise. If you’re trying to lose weight, getting quality sleep is crucial.

2. Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories.

Sleep deprivation disrupts the daily fluctuation in appetite hormones and is believed to cause poor appetite regulation.

3. Good sleep can improve concentration and productivity.

Sleep is important for various aspects of brain function, including cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance. Good sleep improves problem-solving skills and enhances memory performance in both children and adults.

4. Good sleep can maximize athletic performance.

Longer sleep is shown to significantly improve speed, accuracy, reaction times, and mental well-being – just a few aspects of athletic and physical performance.

5. Poor sleepers have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

Sleep quality and duration can have a major effect on many health risk factors such as an increased risk of chronic diseases. For example, sleeping less than 7-8 hours per night is linked to a heightened possibility of heart disease and stroke.

6. Sleep affects glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes risk.

Poor sleep habits are strongly linked to adverse effects on blood sugar in the general population. Those sleeping less than 6 hours per night have repeatedly been shown to be at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

7. Poor sleep is linked to depression.

Mental health issues, like depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders. Those with sleeping disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea also report significantly higher rates of depression than those without.

8. Sleep improves your immune function.

Even a small loss of sleep has been shown to impair immune function. Those who sleep less than 7 hours a night are 3 times more likely to develop a cold than those who slept 8 hours or more.

9. Poor sleep is linked to increased inflammation.

Sleep loss is known to activate undesirable markers of inflammation and cell damage. In fact, poor sleep has been strongly linked to long-term inflammation of the digestive tract, in disorders knows as inflammatory bowel disease.

10. Sleep affects emotions and social interactions.

Researchers believe that poor sleep affects the ability to recognize important social cues and process emotional information.

 

The bottom line… along with nutrition and exercise, good sleep is one of the pillars of health. You simply cannot achieve optimal health without taking care of your sleep.

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