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Companies are exploring programs for workers caring for relatives who are terminally ill.

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August 10, 2010

Juggling a caregiving role with a full-time job is daunting. But it can be even more difficult working during the end stages of a loved one's life. Some companies are exploring end-of-life initiatives to help their employees manage the ultimate transition.

Recently, at the global headquarters of Pitney Bowes, a dozen people watch a film while eating lunch in a dimly lit corporate training room. It's a caregivers support group at the Connecticut-based mailing giant.

The movie ends, and conversation ensues. Employee Sondra Durant brings up her experience with her dad.

"He can't remember if he ate breakfast, but he can tell you anything that happened in 1956 — or any of those years. He's fine with it," Durant says. "You know, it hurts so bad, but we reach out to him."

Pitney Bowes is among several companies now reaching out to employees who are caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. It's offering employee support — like financial and legal resources, counseling on hospice and palliative care, and flexible working arrangements.

Web Resources

From Pitney Bowes: A Summary Of End-Of-Life Issues Facing Employers

Dr. Brent Pawlecki, the company's medical director, says this is one way to hold onto baby boomers who are approaching retirement.

"If the employer is responsive to the needs of the employee, you're going to have a much more loyal and engaged employee for a longer period of time," Pawlecki says. "And so, it really will help with retainment [and] recruitment, and employers can really become an employer of choice that makes it easier to attract good talent."

Helping Employees

A report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that 1 in 5 caregivers had to take a leave of absence from work. And during the dying process in those critical months before death, employee productivity becomes dicey at best.

"At times where their concentration may be impaired, they may be distracted with all of these issues they're dealing with," says David Ballard, who heads up the American Psychological Association's Healthy Workplace Program. "Clearly, they may be physically present at work but not working at their full potential."

To help employees, Pitney Bowes launched a pilot program last fall allowing flexible working arrangements. It's been crucial for employee Marianne Fulgenzi. She was given all the tools she needed to work mostly from home while taking care of her elderly mother.

"That has been an absolute lifesaver for me, because it enables me to take my mom to medical appointments, to handle things around the house that need to be done during the day, to watch over the care that she gets," she says. "I can get my work done at any time of the day or night and be very successful."

Fulgenzi joined the caregiver support group. She's used online tutorials for end-of-life legal issues and says she feels supported by her managers.

Financial Sense

Pitney Bowes — along with General Electric, PepsiCo and IBM — is working with the National Business Group on Health to design an end-of-life toolkit for employers. This kit will help caregivers and employees who have been given a life-limiting diagnosis. Addressing the topic is a business imperative, says Stephen Kiernan, the author of Last Rights: Rescuing the End of Life from the Medical System.

"It's not something that employers are going to have the option of dealing with," Kiernan says. "It's a question of if they can respond to it before it gets ahead of them or they begin to lose good employees or have huge costs because employees are out of work, taking care of mom or dad."

Kiernan says companies should talk about end-of-life issues because being humane can align with the bottom line.

Here's my latest NPR feature on End-of-Life Care in the workplace.

Sarah McLachlan redefines success in her work life

by: Judy Martin Monday, June 14th, 2010

I went to college with Sarah McLachlan’s haunting voice. Her music and lyrics hit me on a soul level. I had always seen her life as perfect; her work life as one I aspired to emulate. Fame, creativity, the fabulous husband, children, career; all seemed to support the white-picket-fence fairy tale of being a successful modern career woman. Being a singer as a youngster, she was one of my idols. Now she has the nerve to share that she’s not perfect, nor was her work life scenario. Thank god. (sigh of relief)

McLachlan cut to the chase in an interview with Marsha Lederman of The Globe and Mail in her article, I’m Not the Girl I Was. The Grammy award-winner is releasing her new album on Tuesday, Laws of Illusion. Her first original album in seven years. And it’s one that turns her public persona on its ear and delves into some of the hardest times of her life, “the breakdown of her marriage, the desperate attempts to save it, the pain of moving on, and the glory of that too.”

McLachlan also spoke of the pain of change and growth. Her healing and transformation did not just impact her daily life, but also her career. Her definition of success has been altered. No surprise.

When we are brought to our knees in work and life, there’s this something special inside of us that emerges. It calls for us to go to a deeper level of consciousness and start questioning. Why am I hear? What’s my purpose? Is my reality truly aligned with my career. Here’s an excerpt with Sarah McLachlan from the article:

“I thought I was this person, and part of that is the artifice of the fantasy that we build up to hold up the perceived reality,” she explains, having clearly given it a lot of thought. “It’s all kind of a big illusion: the white picket fence and the perfect marriage and the kids. Check that box off, check that box off, and move forward. And then it all falls apart underneath you, and you’re left to pick up the pieces and sort out, ‘Well, who am I then?’ Because I thought that’s what I was and who I was, and I’m not all that. Or that’s not my life any more and how do I move forward from there?”

“I like the idea that we build up these walls or rules or laws to maintain our reality, and when they fall away, you’re left with a whole bunch of illusions,” says McLachlan. “Smoke and mirrors.”

With so many of us redefining our work lives post-recession and adapting to a 24/7  global marketplace, we’re challenged to navigate the stimulus that comes our way and cultivate resilience. But maybe the real challenge is to be real, authentic and walk and talk our truth. To do that beyond the smoke and mirrors of who we thought we were, and into the dynamic path of who we really are at our core.

Are you redefining success? If so, what are your keys to success? What is more important now that was not in the past? What illusions have you been living with? Please share your thoughts.

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Great commentary on Nigel Marsh's Work Life Fit

Workers Memorial Day was commemorated by a ceremony with the state’s Department of Labor and Industries a month ago.

It was a grimly appropriate bit of timing, given that it occurred within weeks of multiple-fatality workplace accidents at an oil refinery in Anacortes, at a coal mine in West Virginia, and on an oil-drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

Those who commemorate Memorial Day this weekend worry that the sacrifices made by Americans who have fallen in battle will be forgotten.

There’s a similar worry that – for all the attention given to workplace safety because of recent high- profile disasters – their painful lessons may have faded from memory by the time the next Workers Memorial Day rolls around.

Right now, the disasters are generating investigations, hearings, lawsuits and calls for legislation. They may produce some short-term results in the form of heightened awareness, new regulations, increased inspections, and greater vigilance and attention to detail.

“Across the board, we see increased enforcement activities by all agencies, along with an increase in the penalties (and) fines for not being in compliance,” said Tom Odegaard, president and executive director of the Seattle-based Evergreen Safety Council.

Some of the increased enforcement is tied to recent disasters, Odegaard said. But the Obama administration also has set a new tone at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, he said.

“They are moving forward at a pretty fast pace to increase enforcement of existing rules as well as increase the penalty amounts across the U.S.,” Odegaard said.

Federal and state regulators now play close attention to record keeping, training in areas such as combustible dust, crane safety and workplace ergonomics, Odegaard said.

In Washington, the Labor and Industries department and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board are investigating the April 2 explosion at the Tesoro refinery that killed seven workers. It’s the deadliest industrial accident in the 37 years Labor and Industries has enforced workplace safety laws, officials say.

The slow pace of that investigation, however, is contributing to the worry that the Tesoro explosion will be eclipsed by other news.

We like immediate answers: What went wrong? Who’s to blame?

But immediate answers are often hard to come by (or wrong if they’re found).

It wasn’t until the middle of May that the heat exchangers where the blast occurred could be dismantled for inspection. That work had been held up over concern about asbestos in the area and the stability of structures holding those units up.

In general, however, workplace safety has improved somewhat over the past decade.

From 112 deaths in 1998 because of injuries, acute chemical exposure, workplace homicides and suicides, and motor-vehicle accidents (deaths resulting from long-term exposure to substances such as asbestos and silica aren’t included), the total declined to 73 for last year, up one from 2008.

The long-term trend can be attributed to greater emphasis on safety in industries such as logging and construction, improved safety practices, regulation, even the recession (construction fatalities in 2009 were less than half of 2008’s total).

But the trend line looks more like a mountain range than a smooth slope, and 2010 could prove to be one of the spikes on that graph. So far this year, the state has recorded 34 workplace fatalities (including the deaths at Tesoro).

How could the deaths of seven people, let alone multiple dozens of workplace deaths in one year, fade from public memory?

Unfortunately, it happens. Attention wanes. Older events are overtaken by more recent developments.

For all the furor over the environmental damage that may be caused by oil that continues to leak into the Gulf of Mexico from that oil-drilling platform explosion, what’s been obscured is that the incident began with the deaths of 11 workers in the initial explosion.

So, what should we do? Expect constant vigilance and attention to safety?

That would help, but that’s asking more of people than they’re likely capable of. In the absence of bad news, minds begin to wan-der, complacency sets in, vigilance gives way to rou-tine … until the next headline-grabbing incident jars people into renewed awareness.

How about more regulations and inspections?

Those are certainly coming, and they might help. But remember, Washington’s oil refineries were already going through a “special emphasis” program at the behest of the federal government. Tesoro’s Anacortes refinery was operating under an enforcement and compliance agreement that resulted from an inspection and citations issued by state regulators a year ago. The national emphasis program resulted from a 2005 explosion at a Texas refinery that killed 15.

How about huge fines on companies found in violation of safety rules, contributing to workplace injury and death?

That might help focus the mind, particularly in cases such as the Gulf oil platform. If preliminary reports are at all credible, practices and preparedness went well beyond careless and slipshod.

But those fines, even when they stick, tend to be reactive and come well after the incidents. That isn’t of much help for, or consolation to, the victims.

It’s going to take all of those, plus constant improvements in safety technology (and making sure they’re implemented) and maybe a dozen other factors as well. Another round of safety posters and lectures, another round of hearings to lambaste regulators and company executives (even if they deserve it), another stack of rules won’t do it alone.

Nor, sadly, will exhorting workers to be constantly aware of safety hazards on the job. We should be aware, but human nature says we won’t be. As we are all too often reminded, workplace danger is ever present, even though attention to it often isn’t.

Bill Virgin’s column on business and economics appears Sunday in The News Tribune. He can be reached at bill.virgin@yahoo.com.

No matter the culture, religion, or philosophical tenet, the “Golden Rule” is a common thread that few will argue with. But when it comes to the work life merge, sometimes it goes the wayside. Sometimes the almighty dollar trumps such a human core value, when productivity and profit come before people. But I’m happy to say that slice of perennial wisdom was alive and well at #SobCon 2010 this year, a social media gathering which brings together people to boost their businesses on the web.

The design of the social media conference included mastermind sessions that leveled the playing field. Social media masters mingled with professionals from many sectors in a gracious way – sharing their knowledge. And there was also a “give back” session, where the entire group, en masse, joined forces to create marketing projects for non-profits. Might sound pollyannish, but the current flowing through this group of people could change the world, or at least their small piece of it.

There were lots of take-aways which I’ll get into in the coming weeks, but I wanted to start with that human core value of the “Golden Rule” and the work of leadership expert Steve Farber who is profiled in this week’s WorkLife Nation video.

Lessons culled from Hillary Clinton’s resiliency factor

by: Judy Martin Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Covering the 2008 National Democratic Convention as a tv reporter stays engraved in my mind for one reason, I knew history was being made and couldn’t help but wonder how Hillary Clinton was going to handle it.

Barack Obama was on track to be the first black democratic presidential candidate, but all eyes in the newsroom were glued to the screen when Clinton took the stage. She was gracious, even after failing to get the democratic nod. It was resiliency at work, manifest for the world to see.

Author Rebecca Shambaugh chronicles Clinton’s resiliency factor in her new book Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton (McGraw-Hill 2010). I’m currently reading the book and find it to be an incredible look back at history and in depth psychological profile of a woman who continually broke the glass ceiling, while taking plenty of hits along the way.

Here at WorkLife Nation, I often write about resilience in our new economy. We’re living in times that call for nothing less to be successful. Cultivating resilience is not an overnight process, it’s a journey of exploring who we are at our best when chaos slams us with curve balls. I’ve written about the Well of Resilience that we have to dip into when the going gets tough. Check out my post WorkLife Detox Helps to Cultivate Resilience.

Meantime, here’s a guest post from Rebecca Shambaugh where she focuses on the resilient nature of Hillary Clinton:

Are You As Resilient As Hillary Clinton?

We all get discouraged at some point in our lives. We reach a point when we wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to just give up. We begin to doubt our own abilities and lose faith in others. The “thrill of victory” is no longer so sweet, and the “agony of defeat” doesn’t seem so bad. Our energy is drained, and we’ve stopped having fun. This is when you need to dig deep inside yourself and find that well of determination and inner strength that will help you face your fears, counter the ensuing complacency, and keep you committed to reaching your goals.

Sheer Determination

Having this sheer determination is one of Hillary’s keys to success. Never being a quitter was wired into her DNA early on and was reinforced while she was still in college. When she first arrived at Wellesley, she struggled academically. She called her parents, hoping that they would tell her to come home. She told them that she didn’t feel that she was bright enough or up for the academic challenge. Dorothy Rodham, her mother, told her that she had not raised a quitter and that dropping out of Wellesley would be a catastrophic mistake. Hillary stayed in school and, with her incredible work ethic, keen organizational skills, and sheer determination, stayed on top of her grades. In fact, she gained enough confidence in her scholastic abilities to take on political leadership roles and was elected president of the Young Republicans. Pretty impressive for someone who wanted to drop out of school!

Sticking it out till the end

And if you followed the 2008 presidential campaign, you know that Hillary stayed in the race to the very end. And yet this particular defeat is perhaps the greatest example of her being resilient. While Hillary failed to get the nomination, she showed up at the 2008 Democratic National Convention with a sense of inner confidence and strength and gave an inspirational speech in which she declared her support for the nomination of Barack Obama. She said, “I am here as a proud mother, as a proud Democrat, a proud Senator, a proud American, and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.” She followed with, “Whether you voted for me or for Obama, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose.” Toward the end of her speech, she shared with the audience that even in the darkest moments, Americans are known for their ability to keep going. She said, “We’re Americans, we’re not big on quitting. . . . In America, there is no chasm too deep, no ceiling too high, for all who work hard, have faith in God and our country, and each other.”

Hillary’s Resiliency

Hillary’s resiliency — her unique ability to face adversity and bounce back, as she did in this recent presidential campaign — has won her the respect and admiration of people from all political parties in the United States. And her decision to continue to make a difference by taking on a global leadership role in lieu of being president has impressed people around the world. Truly there are many leadership lessons to be learned from this outstanding woman.

(McGraw Hill-2010).

Sinking your teeth into compelling work with more serenity

by: Judy Martin Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

I flew into Chicago yesterday on a crack of dawn flight from New York. With only 3 hours of sleep, as I had anchored the 10 pm show @News12 Long Island, I landed at O’Hare exhausted – but with more enthusiasm than I’ve had in years. And after reading Alexandra Levit’s Water Cooler Wisdom blog, it’s clear why I’m a bundle of joy and energy.

#SOBCON 2010

I’m in Chi-Town to participate in the #SOBCON social media intensive, “a think tank where the virtual meets concrete” and I see it as the harbinger of things to come, breathing new life into my work life experience. It’s an effort toward expanding my skills as a blogger and journalist while keeping my foot in the world of news. In her blog post, Alexandra shares thoughts on the consequences and benefits of how we spend our intellectual energy:

“Did you know that people get physically tired because of emotional factors such as boredom, frustration, and anxiety? True intellectual stimulation, on the other hand, doesn’t exhaust us at all. …I could write nonstop for 8 hours and then run a 5K immediately afterwards, yet after spending a few hours at my corporate job I could barely drag myself to the train station….

In today’s business world, compelling work is sometimes in short supply… If your work is getting you down, look for ways to expand your skills and responsibilities and communicate actively with your managers about how and where you can lend your expertise.”

Free Agents in the same boat

This same guidance goes for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent contractors. While such  “free agents” are often doing what they prefer in their careers, the mundane chores of “doing business” generally set in. What does it take to go to the next level in business, your career, or job? Alexandra makes some great points in her post which include volunteering, taking a personal development or leadership course, contributing a new process to your company toward more efficiency and finally – changing your attitude toward your job. Approaching your job with the enthusiasm of your first day at a new job.

Igniting joy and injecting serenity into your working experience

The last one got me going. Not just because of shining a fresh new set of eyes on ones career, but because of the “joy” factor. Is there a sense of joy in your work that you have overlooked? Are there certain responsibilities at your job or in your career that you take for granted? You might be skilled at something that gives you a sense of purpose and passion at work that to others, is not enthralling. Do you like to write, create graphics, or enjoy working with customers. Perhaps there are colleagues that make the daily grind a little better. Maybe it’s your commute or the freedom to have more work life flexibility. How can we look at our work through a different lens, and inject some “serenity” into our work life merge? Sometimes we walk past happiness without noticing it. One of my favorite poems from Rumi comes to mind:

The Guest House:

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. ~ Rumi ~

In a our new competitive 24/7 economy, are you overlooking the good in the shadow of the mundane or chaos? Please share!

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