Author: kschneider

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Happy New Year to you, and Happy YOU in the New Year!

As 2013 comes to an end, and we can see the start of 2014 in the horizon – it’s a good time to think ahead to what our goals for the next year are. Each year, people all over the world create their own lists of “New Year’s Resolutions”, here is a helpful article on how to create manageable resolutions: http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/30/health/new-years-resolutions-different/ Continue reading “Happy New Year to you, and Happy YOU in the New Year!”

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Reporting Employee Injuries

DID YOUR EMPLOYEE GET HURT ON THE JOB?

If an employee gets hurt while on the job please report (email or fax) the injury using the “On the job injury” form to Human Resources within 24 hours. This form can be found as C364 on MultiFamilyForms.
The injury still needs to be reported to Human Resources even if your employee did not seek medical attention for his/her injury. It is critical that all employee injuries are reported timely.
Email: jkwatra@cambridgeres.com
Fax: 503-546-7588

Here are few numbers to look at –
For 2013, total employee injuries reported -15
No. of claims reported related to Management staff – 4
No. of claims reported related to Maintenance staff – 10
Others – 1

Top 3 injuries –
1. Strains from lifting incorrectly
Best ways to prevent strains –
• Get help with heavy loads. Don’t try to move or lift an object you can’t handle. Ask for help.
• Lift correctly by bending at the knees, lifting with leg strength, not the back.
• Carry loads close to the body. Injuries can occur when workers try to pull or lift a heavy or awkward object without help or attempt to lift an object while twisting from the waist.
• When carrying a load, avoid lifting upward unnecessarily. Keep as much of the load as possible at waist level.
• Stretch during the day to increase flexibility.

2. Lacerations (cuts)
Best ways to prevent lacerations –
• Wear proper personal protective equipment, including eye protection, gloves and long sleeves.
• Use the proper tool for the job at hand.
• Keep the work area clear.
• Use a sharp blade; a dull blade means a worker has to exert more force when cutting, increasing the risk of an injury.
• Replace dull blades when necessary.
• Never leave an exposed blade unattended.

3. Falling or Tripping and Breathing chemical fumes
Best ways to prevent falling and tripping at work –
• Taking your time and paying attention to where you are going.
• Keeping walking areas clear from clutter or obstructions.
• Always using installed light sources that provide sufficient light for your tasks .
• Using a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light.
• Ensuring that things you are carrying or pushing do not prevent you from seeing any obstructions, spills, etc.

Best ways to prevent breathing harmful chemical fumes –
• Keep the work area well ventilated.
• Wear gloves, masks, or other protective devices to reduce contact with the chemicals.
• Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water after using chemicals.

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Wellness Inititives Refresher

At the beginning of this year, Cambridge introduced 2 Wellness Initiatives. This is a refresher on what those are, and a reminder to employees that they are still available and can be taken advantage of at any moment, just contact a member of the Wellness Committee.

Any employee whose Employment Understanding(EU) is for 15 or more hours per week is eligible to participate.

Please reach out to your Wellness Committee to find out more about the following programs and how you can sign up for one or both.

stop-smoking

  Smoking Cessation

  • If you quit smoking and are nicotine free for 30 days you can earn a $300 wellness bonus on your paycheck. If you are nicotine free for 3 months (which includes your first 30 days) you can earn another $300 wellness bonus. After being nicotine free for 6 months you can be entered into a drawing of $1000 give away.
  • If you choose to participate you will be subject to nicotine testing after 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks of being nicotine free to be eligible for the bonus and the $1000 drawing.
  • This offer is available to employees once every 12 months.
  • Please keep in mind that an Electronic cigarettes or nicotine patches/gums do not make you nicotine free.
  • Please notify your Wellness Committee if you are already in the process of quitting smoking.
  • Your first 30 days begins the first day that you are nicotine free (without smoking cessation aids that contain nicotine, or smoking).

Weight Management

  • Cambridge will pay half of your monthly membership subscriptions with Weight Watchers for 6 months.
  • A minimum of 6 month membership required to get half off discount.
  • Please call/email your Wellness Committee to find out about Weight Watchers meeting locations in your area and how to get half off discount when signing up. Please note that sign up can take up to 10 days to set up your account with Weight Watchers.
  • PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP ON WEIGHT WATCHERS YOURSELF, PLEASE GO THROUGH YOUR WELLNESS COMMITTEE.
  • Cambridge will not be tracking your weight or how much weight you lose. Information collected from employees will be solely on voluntary basis.
For questions, please contact your Wellness Committee

Jasmine Kwatra, Kelsey Schneider, Misty Stuker

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PTO Payout – Deadline Nov. 1st

To all eligible employees-

This year we are giving PTO payout a little earlier than last year.

• Our PTO Payout this year will be on May 15th and November 15th paycheck.
• Deadline for submitting your November payout form is Friday, November 1st .
• Please read the policy guidelines below before filling out the form.
• Please fill out the form  below if you would like payout on your accrued PTO.
• Please share this information with your staff.

PTO Payout Guidelines
PTO Payout Request Form

Fax completed forms by November 1st to 503-546-7588.
Call Jasmine Kwatra if you have any questions.
503.445.2793

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Wellness Challenge Winners Announced!

We are pleased to announce the 3 prize winners of the Cambridge Wellness Challenge, but first, a huge THANK YOU to all the employees that participated. Our thoughts behind this wellness program were to provide an incentive to boost employee’s healthy habits. We hope you enjoyed the challenge, and continue with your positive life style choices.

And now to the exciting stuff…

The Winners are:

Top Prize- Ipod Touch
ZAYIN GILES – Fawnbook (Twin Falls, ID)

2nd Prize – Nike Fuel Band
MELODY BURDETTE – King Plaza (Milwaukie, OR)

3rd Prize – $75 Nike Gift Card
NAPUA BURCH – Fawnbrook (Twin Falls, ID).

Prizes will be mailed to employee’s sites in next Friday’s mail.

Congratulations to these three winners and thank you to all the employees that participated!!!
Abel Briceno
Amanda Harris
Breana Thomas
Crystal Garcia
Deb Good
Jackie Herrera
James Clarke
Justin Nelson
Kirsten Beijer
Laura Mather
Melissa Bertrand
Melody Burdette
Misty Stuker
Napua Burch
Natalie Acevedo
Sheri Engelgau
Vanessa Heisler
Zayin Giles

We look forward to the next Wellness Challenge and would love to hear any feedback you have about this challenge.

Sincerely,

The Wellness Committee

Jasmine Kwatra jkwatra@cambridgeres.com
Kelsey Schneider kschneider@cambridgeres.com
Misty Stuker mstuker@cambridgeres.com

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Final Wellness Challenge Submittal

Good Afternoon!

Please submit your final Wellness calendars (dated September 1 – 15) by Thursday, September 19th. To submit, you can fax them to 503.450.0241 or send directly to Kelsey Schneider. We will be conducting the drawings on Friday, September 20th and announcing the winners via the eExchange.

We thank all of the employees who participated, and hope that you continue your healthy habits.

Any questions? Please contact a member of the Wellness Committee:

Jasmine Kwatra – jkwatra@cambridgeres.com
Kelsey Schneider – kschneider@cambridgeres.com
Misty Stuker – mstuker@cambridgeres.com

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New Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options

Taking effect in 2014, the health coverage experience will be changing. A new creation called The Marketplace can be used to find health insurance that meets your individual needs and wants. Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace begins in October 2013. You will be receiving this insert in your paychex mailing this coming pay day. Please contact Jasmine Kwatra with questions or concerns.

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Wellness Challenge August Calendar Submittal

Hello Everyone!

This is a reminder to all Wellness Challenge participants to fax in your August Calendars to 503.450.0241 by Friday, September 6th. We hope you have been enjoying the focus of creating healthy lifestyle habits with the Cambridge Wellness Challenge. Remember! The challenge ends September 15th!

Here are some of the benefits of day to day health habits you can adopt:

Load up on vitamin C: we need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per day, and the best way to get this is by eating at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and veggies every day.

The secret of stretching: When you stretch, ease your body into position until you feel the stretch, then hold it for about 25 seconds. Breathe deeply to help your body move oxygen-rich blood to those sore muscles. Don’t bound or force yourself into an uncomfortable position.

Do your weights workout first: Experts say weight training should be done first, because it’s a higher intensity exercise compared to cardio. Your body is better able to handle weight training early in the workout because you’re fresh and have the energy you need to work it.

Any questions? Please contact a member of the Wellness Committee:

Jasmine Kwatra – jkwatra@cambridgeres.com
Kelsey Schneider – kschneider@cambridgeres.com
Misty Stuker – mstuker@cambridgeres.com

Wellness Challenge Packet

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Wellness Challenge July Calendar Submittal

Hello Everyone!

This is a reminder to all Wellness Challenge participants to fax in your July Calendars to 503.450.0241 by end of day Tuesday, August 6th. We hope you have been enjoying the focus of creating healthy lifestyle habits with the Cambridge Wellness Challenge.

Here are some of the benefits of day to day health habits you can adopt:

Drinking 8 glasses of water: moisturizes skin, combats skin disorders(eczema, psoriasis, dry sin, wrinkles and spots), hydrates muscles which lessens fatigue, removes toxins from the body, relieves headache which are often caused by dehydration, increases metabolic rate, reduce risks of cancer.

Eating 5 fruits and vegetables: you’re getting the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs, can help prevent heart diseases and some cancers, controls blood pressure, and guards against cataract and macular generation(two common causes of vision loss).

Taking at least 10,000 steps per day: strengthens your bones, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens back muscles.

Stretching: improves flexibility, decreases the risk of injuries, increases blood flow to muscles.

Any questions? Please contact a member of the Wellness Committee:

Jasmine Kwatra – jkwatra@cambridgeres.com
Kelsey Schneider – kschneider@cambridgeres.com
Misty Stuker – mstuker@cambridgeres.com

Wellness Challenge Packet

 

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First of Month Bank Deposits

As a friendly reminder, the Real Estate Commission requires that all funds shall be deposited prior to the close of business of the third banking day following the date of the receipt of the funds into a Clients’ Trust.  To minimize risk, please ensure deposits are made each business day from the 1st through the 5th of each month.