Monthly Message from the Work-Life Director
January Greetings from the Director
Lots of Helping Hands
Caring for others is often an emotionally and physically challenging experience. Giving care in addition to your 40 hours or more of paid employment can be exhausting, leading to your own burnout and illness. Fortunately, the Work Life Office now provides LotsaHelpingHands - a free web based tool kit that will help you connect with others and ask for help.
Our decision to offer LotsaHelpingHands to UK employees was grounded in personal experience. I remember many times during a co-worker’s illness or personal tragedy that I wanted to help but didn’t know how - Should I make a casserole? Offer a ride? I didn’t always want to call and “be a bother” but I sure wanted to pitch in. I also remember my step-mother’s exhaustion when caring for my father during his terminal illness. She had to coordinate and deliver care. Along with tending to him around the clock, she provided daily medical updates to numerous relatives. She was so tired that after a while, she simply said, “Can you now call so-n-so?” I also remember the many times when my own work and family schedule was hectic, but I nevertheless wanted to do a little something.
Using LotsaHelpingHands will enable UK employees to identify the big and small ways people can help. Family and friends can access the site and sign up for activities. They will even receive e-mail reminders, so they won’t forget. And, unlike Facebook, the site is private. If you would like more information or one-on-one assistance with setting up a site, contact the Work Life Office.
Take Care,
Robynn
