LifeResources
Member Assistance Program

From time to time, we all have to deal with people and/or situations that are challenging. What we want to say, and what we should say are often two very different things. The challenge is to control our own response and utilize strategies that help to diffuse and resolve situations. Participants in this seminar will learn to practice specific techniques for dealing with difficult people and situations.

Addiction among employees is one of the most difficult issues that employers encounter. More money is lost in American industry from untreated addiction than from any other single source. This seminar will provide participants with knowledge about the disease of addiction, signs and symptoms of substance abuse in the workplace and information about treatment options.

Burnout is the number one complaint of workers today. Too much to do and too little time to do it in. Why are some people able to withstand the increased pressure and others are not? This program will answer that question and give participants specific strategies to prevent and treat symptoms of burnout.

Most Americans view electronic communication (e-communication) as an essential part of professional and personal life. Research shows that the majority of us consider it a necessary work chore. Whether you are overwhelmed by the volume, vexed by the quality of the emails you receive or perplexed by the culture of the e-communication world, this seminar is for you. This session will focus on the efficacy and etiquette of e-communications in order to improve the outcomes of e-exchanges.

Everyone knows and appreciates excellent customer service when they receive it, and most of us want to give excellent service ourselves. Today’s customers don’t always make it easy. Participants will learn skills for providing 5-star service on the telephone and in person, strategies for dealing with difficult customers and tips for providing excellent customer service even when you don’t feel like it.

Reductions in force (RIF) are happening everywhere, including your workplace. How do you manage all this change? How do you get your head back in the game of work after losing coworkers? This training session will focus on strategies for re-engaging in work during times of transition.

Conflict is a part of everyday work life that most of us would like to avoid. However, it can be productive! This seminar re-frames conflict as an opportunity for understanding and growth. Participants will discover their own blocks to resolving conflict, understand their conflict negotiation style and learn keys to successful conflict resolution.

We enjoy working with people who see possibilities, are able to generate ideas and are open to feedback. Outlook has a significant impact on how we are perceived at work and how well we will succeed in our careers. This seminar will give concrete strategies for improving your attitude, which will lead to better work relations, better job satisfaction and a more positive perspective on life.

We all wish we had one more hour in the day. While a day is and always will be 24 hours, there are ways to maximize those hours to create greater productivity. This seminar is a must for anyone who wishes they could better focus, attend to details, minimize distractions and have better quality control.

Change in the workplace is a way of life. Managers and supervisors are challenged to maintain performance under sometimes chaotic conditions. Employees may be confused, demoralized and/or resistant. This program will discuss strategies for building and maintaining a motivated and productive workforce during times of change.

Communication is all about impact, and frequently our message does not make the impact we had hoped. The goal of this seminar is to help the employee send intentional, impactful messages upward and laterally. This seminar also provides managers with strategies for communicating with subordinates and navigating the politics of communicating laterally and upward.

Most of us have difficulty getting our point across with our customers, colleagues or boss at one time or another. The resulting misunderstanding can be frustrating, costly and time consuming. This seminar addresses the basics of communication and gives participants the tools to make their communications more effective and reliable.

What words come to mind when thinking of “time?” Never enough! We cannot stretch the amount of time in a day, but we can learn to utilize it effectively. This seminar enables each participant to gain an understanding of his/her own time management style and begin to work with time as an ally—not an enemy—thereby reducing stress in the workplace and at home.

When considering diversity, most people think of race, religion and ethnicity. However, today’s workplace is perhaps most diverse with regards to age, with the current workforce spanning four generations. Each generation complains about the others; this is nothing new. What is new is the magnitude of differences. Today’s four generations have unique backgrounds and distinctive talents that they bring to the workplace. This seminar will help individuals better understand themselves and the diverse group in which they work.

Running a productive, effective meeting is no simple task. Individual or group meetings are common ways of doing business, having an effectiveness that being in-person has. Miscommunication happens most often when we are not working face-to-face; in-person meetings are a unique workplace communication method to clarify, troubleshoot, inform, motivate and inspire others—all in a timely manner. We will look at the question: Why are some meetings engaging and fun? As a facilitator, your role is to create a forum where communication is lively, engaging, stays on topic and on time. This seminar will explore the value of meetings, your role as a facilitator or meeting member and what you can do to keep the energy up.

Each of us would like to be thought of as the employee who positively contributes to not only the bottom dollar but to the overall workplace culture. This seminar will focus on respectful communication: the things we can do to create and perpetuate a respectful work environment. We will also examine behavior that detracts from the desired workplace environment.

Seventy percent of adults in the U.S. will have at least one traumatic event in their lives. We go to work each day expecting to be safe. When a trauma occurs in the workplace, our sense of safety can be shattered. In the aftermath, employees need supportive leadership. This seminar will provide managers with tools for navigating the workplace after a traumatic event, and techniques for handling their own emotions.

It’s easy to compliment or praise employees, but when the message we need to deliver is negative or one that will be hard to receive, it can be quite stressful. In this session, participants will learn common reasons why managers avoid delivering difficult messages, will explore how to get their difficult messages heard and solutions generated through strategic communication.

The purpose of the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation is “to prevent, through deterrence and detection, alcohol and controlled substance users from performing safety-sensitive function.” Managers and supervisors must be keen observers and use the skills of constructive confrontation in order to deal with this volatile issue and comply with DOT regulations. Participants will learn how to accomplish the following: (1) recognize signs of substance abuse as job and performance problems and DOT violations; (2) constructively address those problems with employees; (3) identify employee appearances and behaviors that trigger “reasonable suspicion” drug tests; and implement the organization’s substance abuse policies.

When you think about it, the success of an organization can almost always be traced back to motivated employees. There’s no secret or set calculation. In fact, motivation can be as individual as the employees who work for you. This seminar will explore a variety of strategies and tools to help light or reignite your employees’ motivation. Topics to be discussed: coaching, recognition, delegation, teambuilding, morale boosters, fun and no-cost incentives.

In today’s highly stressful customer-driven culture, we are all working harder and faster than ever. Sometimes this rush causes us to forget how to be the best team player we can be. In this facilitated discussion, participants will explore four essential principles of effective teamwork which can improve employee morale, enhance job satisfaction and create an enjoyable workplace.

This program will address the basic elements of management for the newer manager. Topics to be addressed are transitioning to the managerial role, communication skills for managers and supervising troubled employees. Each component of the program will provide managers with specific skills, theoretical background on managerial styles and strategies and exercises to practice skills.

When considering workplace diversity, most people think of race, religion and ethnicity. However, today’s workplace is perhaps most diverse with regards to age. Each generation complains about the other generation. This is not new. What is new is the magnitude of the differences. Today’s four separate generations have unique backgrounds and distinctive talents they bring to the workplace. This seminar will help individuals better understand themselves and the diverse group in which they work.

Mental health issues are increasingly affecting America’s workforce. Statistics indicate that millions of people struggle with the symptoms of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. These symptoms, whether treated or untreated, often enter the work environment sometimes causing managers to have to intervene. This seminar explores current research and identifies strategies for the supervisor to address performance concerns while avoiding the pitfall of diving into personal problems.

One of the biggest challenges following a Reduction in Force (RIF) is finding ways to re-engage remaining employees in such a way that they are productive, creative, motivated and committed once again. This training session will focus on strategies for boosting employee morale and motivation, and getting people back on board at work.

A key ingredient to effective management is honest, direct communication about an employee’s performance. Easier said than done! This session will address the entire process of employee appraisal, including writing and setting goals with employees, evaluating employees’ performance and strategies for communicating bad news. Participants will leave with specific steps and skills for effective employee appraisal.

Public speaking is frequently ranked as the number one fear for adults&151coming in higher than fear of death! Yet speaking publicly is increasingly becoming a requirement for many jobs. Luckily, effective public speaking is not magic. There are specific skills that enhance presentation delivery, strategies for program development and tips for converting speaker anxiety into energy. This interactive workshop provides participants with practical tools for public speaking in any setting.

This seminar is designed to help officers balance work and home life more effectively by discussing their unique on-the-job stress. Without this important, yet often neglected, area of an officer’s professional development, the officer’s functioning and health are affected as well as that of his/her coworkers, friends, family, department, administration and community. This seminar heightens awareness for officers and their Administration and encourages them to develop resiliency skills to address this essential component of a successful law enforcement career. This seminar can be conducted for a variety of audiences (separate or combined): all ranks of law enforcement, dispatchers, family members, significant others and friends.

Being an effective leader is both challenging and exciting. We are working at a faster pace and, more often, within teams requiring cross-training and collaboration. The concept of leadership agility will be reviewed. This training explores participants’ views of leadership and discusses ideas for developing new skills.

Every manager has an employee that requires more time, energy and focus. Managers face employees who have negative attitudes, lots of baggage, endless needs, low performance or those they must terminate. As employee situations escalate, tension (maybe even a headache) builds. This seminar provides practical tools, tips and techniques for managing these employees while minimizing their impact on the manager.

As a manager, you know that conflict between employees in a work group can destroy productivity and morale. In this workshop, you will learn practical tools from an experienced mediator on how to transform conflict into a win-win situation!

This seminar heightens participants’ awareness of discrimination in the workplace. Federal laws and organizational policies that protect workers from harassment are discussed. Participants are encouraged to examine their own attitudes and behavior, as well as the impact of that behavior on co-workers. Discussion will include a review of recent court rulings and policy recommendations.

This seminar addresses factors contributing to violence in the workplace. Certain workplace conditions are found to either support or discourage threats of violence. These conditions will be discussed. Useful personal and organizational interventions will be highlighted and demonstrated.