The state of Florida offers its employees a variety of benefits, in-cluding paid holidays and leave, health and life insurance, and pen-sion and deferred compensation plans. Another benefit provided to state employees that may not get as much attention is its Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP, provided by E4 Health, offers access to a team of trained counselors to provide assistance and support to employees and their families. This service is free, confi-dential, and available 24 hours a day to help with a variety of issues, from everyday concerns to major crises.

Take a look at what your EAP has to offer, and find out how to get the most out of this service.

Page 1 Continued on page 2

ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 8 | MAY—JUNE 2017

The State of Florida’s

Employee Assistance

Program

1

Personal Wellness 2

Best Management

Practices — When Per-

sonal Issues Present A

Problem In The Workplace

3

A Lifetime Of Risk —

Preventable Injuries 4

Hurricane Season 2017 —

Be Ready When The

Storm Hits

5

Safety Awards 6

Summer Driving Safety 7

Word Search 8

Credits 9

MAKING THIS BENEFIT WORK FOR YOU

Employee Assistance Programs are beneficial to both the employee and the employer, as they help individuals deal with problems, which in turn in-creases productivity. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that for every dollar invested in an EAP, employers generally save anywhere from $5 to $16, making it a very worthwhile investment. EAPs have proven to be effec-tive at reducing workplace stress, reducing depression, treating addic-tions, and dealing with an array of other life issues; and yet, these pro-grams go underutilized by employees. Here are some ways you can take advantage of this service.

All state of Florida employees have ac-cess to confidential help 24 hours a day via telephone. Trained professionals are on call to help people navigate a myriad of concerns, including:

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Resources and referrals are available in dealing with health-related issues, including fitness programs, diet and nutrition, smoking cessation, chronic disease, and stress management.

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING: Employees or their family members can re-ceive up to 6 counseling sessions for issues regarding relationships, mental health, grief and loss, addiction, and stress.

FAMILY & CAREGIVING: Consultations are provided regarding parent-ing, special needs, childcare, adoption, eldercare, and even pet care.

FINANCIAL CONSULTATION & REFERRALS: Free financial counseling is available by telephone regarding credit issues, budgeting advice, bank-ruptcy, filing taxes, and estate and retirement planning.

CONVENIENCE SERVICES: Your EAP even provides referrals to local event and party planners, volunteer organizations, and many other ser-vices.

HELP FOR TEENS: Teenagers can call 1-844-208-7074 to receive profes-sional counseling and guidance regarding relationships, family, school, stress, peer pressure, bullying, self-esteem, and any other issue.

More than just physical health, achieving personal wellness is an active, ongoing process in which a person chooses a life-style designed to fulfill one’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, and spir-itual needs.

A good place to start is with a “health risk assessment (HRA),” which is a questionnaire identi-fying potential risk factors for health issues. HRAs provide a basis from which to begin work-ing towards your health and wellness goals by collecting in-formation regarding de-mographics (age, sex), lifestyle (smoking, diet, exercise), physi-ology (weight, height, blood pressure), and medical history. This data is compiled into a re-port that individuals can use to determine where to make life-style changes to improve their quality of life.

Many health insurance compa-nies offer free health risk as-sessments as part of their bene-fits packages:

CHP members should visit their site at www.capitalhealth.com/Members/Live-Healthy/Health-Risk-Appraisal-HRA to take their health risk appraisal.

Florida Blue members can ac-cess personalized health tools at: www.staywellcustomweb.com/floridablue/story5.html.

Continued from page 1

STATE OF FLORIDA EAP HOTLINE • 1-844-208-7067

Continued on page 3 Page 2

The Employee Assistance Program website contains a wealth of infor-mation and useful services, including:

PROVIDER DIRECTORY: This tool allows employees to search online for counselors whose services are covered under the EAP benefit. The direc-tory lets you narrow your search by location, specialty of service, and age demographics.

GUIDELINES & TOOLKITS: A depot of informational pages, which can be viewed online, saved, or printed for distribution. With posters, forms, newsletters, and tip sheets on everything from responding to violence to managing ADHD in the workplace, this link is a goldmine of resources for managers and employees alike.

RESOURCE LOCATOR: Similar to the provider directory, users can search for referrals to organizations providing services such as child care, senior care, education, etc.

WEBINARS: Employees can participate in a series of free webinars throughout the year. Upcoming webinars include “Turning Negatives Into Positives” (Thu, June 22nd), “Preventing Burnout: A Balanced Life Check-Up” (Wed, July 19th), “Highs and Lows of Back to School” (Wed, August 23rd), and many more.

STATE OF FLORIDA

EAP WEBSITE WWW.SOFEAP.COM

Continued from page 2

WHEN PERSONAL

ISSUES PRESENT A

PROBLEM IN THE

WORKPLACE

From time to time, managers will find themselves in the challenging position of dealing with an employ-ee who is facing personal struggles. Occasionally these will manifest as troubles in the workplace, resulting in absenteeism, difficulty concen-trating, poor work performance, health issues, and even violence. Managers can help their organiza-tion by aiding their struggling em-ployees as they navigate these is-sues.

LISTEN. Offer kind, encouraging words without attempting to solve the employee’s problem.

BE FLEXIBLE. Offer temporary ac-commodations when possible — a revised working schedule, for ex-ample. Be sure expectations and timelines are clear. Get arrange-ments in writing.

KEEP RECORDS. Document obser-vations and recommendations, and follow up with employees.

REFER EMPLOYEES TO RE-SOURCES. Encourage employees to contact the state’s EAP provider, E4 Health, or make the call for them if they prefer.

For more information, call the state’s EAP Management Resource Consultation Line at 877-267-1585. This service is available 24 hours a day. Continued on page 4

Page 3

LEGAL / FINANCIAL: Contact information for local attorneys and me-diators, financial resources and tools, and even an expansive legal library are available. http://secure.clcmembers.com/e4health/index.cfm?uid=9A6645EC-D0A0-45A1-0E163624EB746FC1

REAL ESTATE: Get moving tips, calculate commute time, browse fea-tured listings, and see how much home you can afford. http://sofeap.helloe4.com/everyday-living/moving/

TEENS: The teenage years carry their own special set of challenges. Help your teen plan for the future, learn how to stay healthy, and deal with emotional ups and downs. http://sofeap.helloe4.com/family-caregiving/teens/

E4 University: The website features a series of videos on a variety of top-ics pertaining to family, health and wellness, life transitions, financial help, and much more. Registered users can receive and print certificates of completion after watching each video. http://sofeap.helloe4.com/videos/

Log on to start taking advantage of these benefits today.

www.sofeap.com

Continued from page 3

Page 4

Hurricane season officially starts

each year on June 1st, so now is the

time to start making preparations.

Those of us here in Florida who

weathered last year’s hurricane sea-

son understand firsthand the im-

portance of being prepared. Alt-

hough Hurricane Hermine made

landfall on Labor Day weekend as a

weak Category 1 storm, many people

in the panhandle found themselves

without power, some for almost a

week, due to severe damage

to roads, power lines, and

buildings. Hurricane Mat-

thew brought its own de-

structive power, causing ex-

tensive flooding to cities as

far inland as Sanford and

Altamonte Springs, leaving

more than a million people

without power – and it never

even made landfall here. Six

people in Florida lost their

lives to these powerful

storms, as well as dozens

outside of Florida, so warn-

ings to prepare, take shelter,

or evacuate should not be

taken lightly.

Forecasters believe 2017 will

be a typical hurricane sea-

son, with 12 named storms

expected, including two ma-

jor hurricanes. Of course it only

takes one direct hit to ravage an ar-

ea. Even typical Florida summer

storms can bring damaging rain, hail,

and wind, so it’s always a good idea

to have an emergency plan in place.

Here are some ways you can pre-

pare before a storm hits.

KNOW YOUR RISK. Is your

home in a flood zone? Do you

live close enough to the coast to

be affected by storm surge? Will

your home withstand high winds

and rain?

PREPARE YOUR HOME. Trim or

remove damaged trees and

limbs. Clear and secure gutters.

Consider purchasing a portable

generator for power outages.

GATHER SUPPLIES. Have an

emergency preparedness kit

ready to go, including flashlights,

batteries, cash, first aid supplies,

and bottled water.

HAVE A PLAN. Be sure all fami-

ly members know what to do in

the event of a storm.

When a storm is on its way:

GET READY TO HIT THE ROAD IF

NECESSARY. Put gas in your

vehicle and stock it with emer-

gency supplies, a change of

clothes, etc.

STAY CONNECTED. Keep all de-

vices charged. Let friends and

loved ones know whether you

plan to shelter in place or evacu-

ate. Bookmark local websites for

quick access to storm updates

and emergency instructions. You

can sign up for local public

safety email alerts for your

area at

www.floridadisaster.org/

alertflorida/.

PREPARE YOUR HOME. Take in

all loose objects that might be-

come projectiles (lawn chairs,

trash cans, etc.). Cover win-

dows with storm shutters or

plywood. Turn refrigerators

and freezers to the coldest

setting and open only when

necessary. Freeze containers

of potable water to use to

keep food cold longer and as

drinking water.

The danger isn’t necessarily

over just because the storm

has moved on. Take care af-

ter the storm:

AVOID FLOOD WATER.

Whether walking or driving,

turn around if you cannot see

the road. Just 6 inches of

moving water is enough to

knock people off their feet,

and fast moving water can

sweep vehicles away. Also,

the water could hide hidden de-

bris, or it may be electrically

charged by downed power lines.

STAY WHERE YOU ARE until au-

thorities deem it is safe to ven-

ture out (if you have sheltered in

place) or return home (if you fol-

lowed evacuation orders).

For more information about how to

prepare for a hurricane or other dis-

aster, visit www.ready.gov or

www.floridadisaster.org.

Hurricane Matthew swirls off Florida’s east coast

on October 7, 2016

Page 5

Does your agency have

its own Safety and Loss Prevention

Superstars?

The Division of Risk Manage-ment is proud to present the Interagency Advisory Council on Loss Prevention’s Excel-lence Award for Occupational Safety and Loss Prevention. This award recognizes state of Florida employees who make exceptional contributions to the reduction and control of employment-related acci-dents.

Agency safety coordinators can download the nomination form on the Division of Risk Management’s website at http://www.fldfs.com/Division/Risk/LossPrevention/LossPreventionAwards.htm

and submit it along with sup-porting documentation by email to the State Loss Pre-vention Program via email (see address below). Supporting

documentation should include a description of the nominee’s actions and why they constitute an ex-traordinary impact.

Please submit nominations at least one week prior to an upcoming quarterly IAC meeting, as members will vote on nominations at the meetings. Recipients of this award will be given a plaque, trophy, or acrylic statue, and they will be recognized here in the Safety & Loss Prevention Outlook newsletter.

For more information regarding this award, contact the State Loss Prevention Program at StateLossPreventionProgram@myfloridacfo.com.

Florida Public Service Commission

recognizes Jasmine Burkholder In April, the Florida Public Service Commission’s Safety Committee presented its first ever Certificate of Safety Recognition to Jasmine Burkholder.

According to Miguel Masferrer, the General Service Manager and Safety Coordinator for the PSC, Ms. Burkholder has been dedicated for years to serving the Miami District office in im-plementing safety initiatives such as quarterly inspec-tions, first aid pro-cedures, fire pre-vention, disaster preparedness, and accident prevention. She has proactively worked towards re-ducing employee accidents by in-creasing awareness surrounding safety issues in the workplace.

Congratulations Jasmine, from the Division of Risk Management!

Jasmine Burkholder (2nd from left) accepts her Certificate of

Safety Recognition, surrounded by her coworkers at the PSC

Miami office.

Page 6

As the temperatures heat up, so do the risks of trouble on the road. The 2016 tourist season in Florida

brought nearly 113 million tourists to Florida, and this summer is forecast to be even more popular with

out-of-state and international visitors.

While these visitors and their dollars are welcomed across the state, they also bring an increased risk of ac-

cidents, particularly in tourist destinations such as Orlando and Miami. With more cars on the road, tourists

unfamiliar with the area, inexperienced teenage drivers on break from school, the risk of tire blowouts and

overheating due to hot weather, and of course our renowned daily afternoon thunderstorms, Florida driv-

ing can be especially dangerous in the summer months.

Keep these added hazards in mind, whether you are

traveling on vacation or on your daily commute. Follow

these basic safety tips:

For more information on safe driving, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety.

Stay focused on the road. Avoid distractions such as

eating and texting.

Keep bottled water in the car to prevent dehydration,

and to top off your radiator in case of car trouble.

Have your cell phone with you and charged at all

times.

Page 7

References

“Eight Dimensions of Wellness,” UC Davis, Student Health and Counseling Services website. https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/wellness/what-is-wellness

Bruton, F. Brinley; Johnson, Alex; and Ortiz, Eric. “Deadly Hermine Wallops Florida, Knocks Out Power to 250K,” NBC News, September 2, 2016. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/hurricane-hermine-makes-landfall-south-tallahassee-florida-n641866

Phillips, Ryan and Benaim, Rachel Delia. “Matthew in Florida: 5 Dead, New Disaster Declaration Declared as State Assesses Damage,” The Weather Chan-nel, October 9, 2016. https://weather.com/news/news/hurricane-matthew-florida

Harwell. “8 Ways to Deal with Employee Personal Problems,” Making IT Clear — Insight for Current and Future Business Leaders, May 3, 2011. http://blog.makingitclear.com/2011/05/03/employeeproblems/

Dineen, Caitlin. “Florida welcomed nearly 113 million tourists in 2016,” The Orlando Sentinel, February 16, 2017. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-bz-visit-florida-tourism-2016-story.html

“What Works: Workplaces without Drugs.” U.S. Department of Labor Report, Workplace Drug Abuse, August 2, 1990. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924062240035

SEARCH TERMS

Page 8

Molly Merry, CPA Division Director

Robin Delaney Assistant Division Director

Shannon Segers, ARM-P Bureau Chief, Bureau of Risk Financing & Loss Prevention

Christia Nunnery, MPA

Administrator, Loss Prevention Section

Office of the Director (850) 413-4700

State of Florida Loss Prevention Section (850) 413-4756

Bureau of State Liability & Property

Claims (850) 413-3122

Bureau of State Employee Workers’

Compensation Claims (850) 413-3123

State Liability Claim Change Form (850) 413-4852

Safety Coordinator Appointment Form (850) 413-4756

Workers’ Compensation Claim Change Form (850) 413-4802

Florida Department of Financial Services

Division of Risk Management

200 East Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

The Safety and Loss Prevention

Outlook newsletter is for informa-

tional purposes only. The Depart-

ment of Financial Services does

not endorse or support any web-

sites, products, brands, or ser-

vices referenced herein.

We look forward to your

feedback on how we can better

serve you. To submit story ide-

as, articles, and other sug-

gestions—or to be added to

our distribution list—please

contact us by clicking on the

link below:

State Loss Prevention Program

Safety & Loss

Prevention

Outlook Team:

Lori Taylor

Managing Editor/Writer

Christia Nunnery

Staff Editor

Page 9