 Employee Cookbook: Stone Soup Theme
We may not be able to share the upcoming winter season in person this year, but we can still connect by sharing our stories and experiences... and food!
Atlas (our wellness provider) is putting together a cookbook of recipes and stories collected from Community Transit employees. Would you consider sharing your family's winter traditions with your work family?
The cookbook will have a "stone soup" theme to illustrate how good things can be created with small contributions from many sources.
Please send your favorite winter recipes to Atlas at CTAtlasIPS@gmail.com with your name and job title. You are encouraged to include a photo and/or a brief paragraph about what the recipe means to you, but it's not required.
You can also submit the information online at www.communitytransit.org/myrecipe.
Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 6 and every employee will receive a copy of the cookbook in December.
Not familiar with the stone soup fable? There are many versions to be found around the world, but here's a simple one.
 Drinking More Than Usual During the Pandemic?
This article consists of edited excerpts from "Drinking More Than Usual During the COVID-19 Pandemic?" by Carrie MacMillan published on June 4, 2020. The full article can be found here.
Community Transit offers assistance to any employee who has developed a drug or alcohol addiction. You can seek confidential counseling services and other resources through our Employee Assistance Program vendor Wellspring by calling 800-553-7798 or visiting www.wellspringeap.org (username: CommunityTransit), or contact your Employee Engagement Representative. Help is available and all you need to do is ask.
From Zoom happy hours to “wine o’clock” memes floating around on social media, the pressure to grab a drink to take an edge off your pandemic anxiety can sometimes feel strong. Not being able to visit friends or enjoy many out-of-home activities leaves some people feeling like they don’t have much else to do, so why not enjoy a glass of wine—or two or three?
For the week ending May 2, total alcohol sales in the U.S. were up by more than 32% compared to the same week one year ago. These figures have some medical experts worried.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) have issued communications warning people to avoid excessive drinking, saying it may increase COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. While it is too soon to definitively know the effects of the pandemic on drinking patterns or how alcohol consumption impacts COVID-19, Yale Medicine experts say there are logical concerns based on what has already been proven about how alcohol changes the human body.
How much drinking is too much?
The NIAAA divides drinking into several categories, including abstinence (no drinking), moderate, high risk, heavy episodic (binge), and alcohol use disorder (which itself can be rated as mild, moderate, or severe).
Moderate drinking is up to one drink (about 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits) per day for women and two drinks for men. High-risk drinking for women is the consumption of four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week. For men, it is five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more drinks per week. Binge drinking is defined as women consuming four or more drinks in about two hours, or five or more drinks for men.
How do I know if I need help?
If you think your drinking is a problem, touch base with your primary care physician to discuss your concern. Your doctor can help you monitor your drinking, and one useful strategy is a trial period of cutting down or abstinence. If you are not able to do that, you may need some help. You can try this over a period of two to four weeks. It’s not necessary to hit rock bottom for most people to have insight into how alcohol is having negative effects on their life.
Reminder: Community Transit employees cannot drink alcohol while performing company business off property. Additionally, employees with safety-sensitive positions cannot drink within four hours prior to the start of their shift. Please contact Tina Guzinski at 425-348-7197 with any questions regarding this policy.
Public Health Officials Recommend Getting a Flu Shot by Oct. 31
A flu shot this year is more important than ever in caring for ourselves and each other.
The flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, but it can reduce risk of complications from getting sick with both the flu and COVID-19. Public health officials are recommending that everyone get a flu shot by the end of the month.
You can get a flu shot off-site at most pharmacies and walk-in clinics or at your doctor’s office. The flu shot should be covered by your insurance provider. Call your pharmacy or doctor’s office in advance, as appointments may be required.
Get Notified Immediately of Emergency Situations at Work
The Security & Emergency Management program launched a pilot earlier this year for Community Transit Emergency Alerts, the agency's emergency alert system. The system will be used to share official, timely information via text message, email, or voice phone call to keep our employees and contractors informed and safe during emergency situations that might disrupt normal operations. If there is an urgent and immediate need to provide an update to employees during this COVID-19 pandemic we will begin using this system.
To register for Community Transit Emergency Alerts please fill out the online form at www.communitytransit.org/CTEmergencyAlerts. An FAQ for the program can be located on the registration page just below the form. If you have questions about the alert system or the registration, please contact Jacob Peltier at jacob.peltier@commtrans.org or 425-438-6121.
Donate Sick Leave or PTO
You can donate sick leave or PTO to a colleague who has been approved to receive such donations due to illness. To see who is eligible to receive leave donations and learn how to do it, either contact your Employee Engagement (HR) Representative or visit the Work from Home Guide at Everyone (K:) > Work from Home Guide > HR--Employee Engagement > Donate Leave.
Topics at 12 Videos
See all of the Topics at 12 videos, including the entire series on building resiliency while working on the front lines or from home at www.communitytransit.org/topicsat12. This web page is accessible from any device and any location.
 Luke Distelhorst and Laurel McJannet of Agency Communications show off their personality with #MasksThatCareNotScare.
Masks That Care, Not Scare Photo Contest
The One Where We Ask to See Your Mask
With events canceled and faces covered to protect each other from COVID-19, Halloween seems to have lost its usual luster. Nay, we say!
Any properly worn face covering is appreciated. But a mask that protects AND projects your fandom, craftiness, or personal style is something to be admired and celebrated, so we're doing just that with our #MasksThatCareNotScare photo contest and slideshow.
It's a public contest, but employees are eligible and encouraged to participate!
Our community will vote for their favorite mask (that completely covers the nose and mouth) on Facebook. The top two vote-getters will receive a care package with Community Transit swag and reusable face coverings.
How to participate
- Oct. 15-28, visit Community Transit's Facebook page and look for the #MasksThatCareNotScare post pinned to the top.
- Post a picture of yourself correctly wearing your family-friendly mask, with nose and mouth completely covered and socially distanced from others.
- Return to the Facebook page on Oct. 29 (between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.) to vote for your favorites!
We will announce the two winners on Oct. 30. All participants who are correctly wearing their mask will be featured in a slideshow that will post to our social media channels on Halloween. What a treat!
Contact Laurel McJannet at Laurel.McJannet@commtrans.org if you have any questions. Let's see those #MasksThatCareNotScare!
No purchase necessary to enter. One prize per winner. Popular vote on the agency's Facebook page will decide our two winners. By posting your picture, you consent to its use by Community Transit on its social media and website.
October newsletter now available
Read Atlas’ October newsletter to learn how mindfulness can improve your health and wellbeing, and get ideas for getting starting!
Meet Brittney, Industrial Athletic Trainer & Fitness Specialist
Introducing Atlas’ newest provider, Brittney Thornton! Brittney is a certified athletic trainer and personal trainer. She bridges the gap between injury treatment and fitness performance, concentrating on prevention and early intervention measures.
Brittney is from the greater Seattle area, and graduated from Eastern Washington University with degrees in Athletic Training and Exercise Science. She played competitive soccer growing up and Division 1 soccer in college. She currently lives in Kirkland, where she loves to hike with her son and dog, Baloo, when she’s not working out or reading.
Find Brittney in the EMC or Fitness Center! She is now scheduling for injury support and outdoor personal training sessions. To schedule an appointment or learn more, contact Atlas using the information below.
What is an athletic trainer?
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who have a strong background in first aid, and injury evaluation and treatment. Whether it’s work demands or athletic competition, athletic trainers specialize in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses to help keep you in the field, doing what you need to do.
An athletic trainer can help with:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Injury prevention and ergonomics
- Sprained ankles, wrists, knees, etc.
- Cuts and nose bleeds, first aid
- Referring you to the right specialist
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Atlas on-site & telehealth services
Atlas offers physical therapy, injury evaluation, nutrition counseling, general wellness, the CDL Excel program, and more! Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Now scheduling for outdoor personal training sessions! Contact us to learn more about this service, including safety protocols.
Contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment.
- Employee Maintenance Center
Drop-in hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Call or text: 425-551-8862
- Fitness Center
Appointments only. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nutrition, general wellness, CDL Excel, outdoor personal training.
Call: 425-348-7156
- Email CTAtlasIPS@gmail.com
- Schedule appointments online
- Find us on Facebook and YouTube
 Oct. 15: SnoCope Webinar | Savvy Generational Planning
10 a.m. OR 12 p.m.
Your legacy is far more than just tangible assets – it includes values, family history, and proper preparation. Learn how to strategize, communicate, and execute the smooth transfer of values and assets through the generations. Contact Beth@SnoCope.org to register or learn more.
Oct. 15-22: United Way Employee Campaign Online Auction
Opens at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15, closes at 3 p.m. on Oct. 22
For information about the campaign and for links to forms and websites, visit www.communitytransit.org/2020campaign. To see the items available for auction, click here: www.32auctions.com/Auction2020bid. You will need to create an account at this site to bid.
Oct. 23: DRS Webinar | In-Depth Retirement Planning
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For employees looking to retire within five years. 30-minute and 60-minute segments include Getting Ready for Retirement, Applying for Retirement, Social Security, Health Care, and VEBA (Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association), with 15-minute breaks in between. Sponsored by the State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Visit www.drs.wa.gov/retirement-planning/seminar/ for details. For login or audio assistance, call 360-664-7930.
Oct. 27: Atlas Online Workshop | Mindful Eating for the Holidays
12-1 p.m.
Take control of your health and happiness this holiday season through mindful eating! In this 5-part virtual series, you will learn tips and strategies for navigating food and your feelings. The workshop meets online every other Tuesday from Oct. 27 to Dec. 22. Sign up online here or email CTAtlasIPS@gmail.com.
Oct. 28: Topics at 12 | Open Enrollment
12-1 p.m.
Open Enrollment will be an exciting experience this year, because it will be done all online! The Employee Engagement Open Enrollment team is working hard to make this an easy experience, and they are excited to give you a walk-through of the process in this informative Topics at 12. Download an Outlook invite here.
Zoom URL: zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 881 3138 1823
Passcode: 139846
Join by phone: 1-253-215-8782
Oct. 29: Vote in #MasksThatCareNotScare Photo Contest
Any time between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
We've invited folks to share masks that care, not scare that show off their hobbies, fandoms, and personalities (yes, employees can enter and win -- see details in related story above), Head to our public Facebook page to vote for your favorite properly worn fun face covering!
Oct. 29: SnoCope Webinar | Financial Wellness Money Management
12-1 p.m.
Learn how to set financial goals and save more! This seminar covers how to balance your accounts, how to cut back on expenses, and ideas for increasing your income. Contact Beth@SnoCope.org to register or learn more.
Coming in November
- Nov. 2-13: Open Enrollment -- all online!
- Nov. 3: Atlas Online Wellness Class | Popular Diets: Are They Worth the Hype?
- Nov. 6: Deadline to submit to employee cookbook. See related story above.
- Nov. 18: Topics at 12 | Wheel to Rails: Link is Coming North
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