VoiceFives Tips For Better Work-Life Balance- Pages 1

SAFETY CORNER - Lockout/Tagout- Page 3

2015 Open Enrollment Starts Nov. 10- Page 4

October 2014

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Five Tips For Better Work- Life BalanceIf you’re finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you’re not alone.

Many people are putting in extra hours, or using their smartphones to be on call when they’re not physically at work.

“A lot of people are having a more difficult time finding balance in their lives because there have

been cutbacks or layoffs where they work. They’re afraid it may happen to them, so they’re putting in more hours,” says psychologist Robert Brooks, PhD, co-author of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life.

“But even if you don’t have much control over the hours you have to work, you can ask yourself: In what other ways am I bringing greater enjoyment into my life?” Brooks says. “Focus your time and attention on things you can control.”

Here are five ways to bring a little more balance to your daily routine:

1. Build downtime into your schedule. When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and activities that help you recharge.

If a date night with your spouse or a softball game with friends is on your calendar, you’ll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don’t have to cancel.

“It helps to be proactive about scheduling,” says Laura Stack, a

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productivity expert in Denver and author of SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best. “When I go out with my girlfriends, we all whip out our cell phones and put another girls’ night out on the calendar for 1 month later.”

Stack also plans an activity with her family, like going to a movie or the park, every Sunday afternoon. “We do this because if there’s nothing on the schedule, time tends to get frittered away and the weekend may end without us spending quality time together,” she says.

2. Drop activities that sap your time or energy. “Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value -- for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping,” says Marilyn Puder-York, PhD, a psychologist and executive coach in New York and Connecticut.

Her advice: Take stock of activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life, and minimize the time you spend on them.

You may even be able to leave work earlier if you make a conscious effort to limit the time you spend on the web and social media sites, making personal calls, or checking your bank balance. “We often get sucked into these habits that are making us much less efficient without realizing it,” Stack says.

3. Rethink your errands. Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-

consuming household chores or errands.

Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Order your stamps online so you don’t have to go to the post office? Even if you’re on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you’ll save will make it worth it.

Stack also suggests trading services with friends. Offer to do tasks that you enjoy or that you were planning to do anyway.

“You could exchange gardening services for babysitting services,” Stack says. “If you like to cook, you could prepare and freeze a couple of meals and give them to a friend in exchange for wrapping your holiday gifts.”

4. Get moving. It’s hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.

“Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert,” Brooks says. “And I’ve noticed that when I don’t exercise because I’m trying to squeeze in another half hour of writing, I don’t feel as alert.”

Samantha Harris, a lawyer who works for a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, goes to her gym 2 or 3 mornings a week before her family wakes up. “It’s been a real boost in terms of the way I feel for the rest of the day,” she says. “I

feel like my head is clearer and I’ve had a little time to myself.”

5. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way. Don’t assume that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. Brooks recommends setting realistic goals, like leaving the office earlier 1 night per week.

“Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you,” he says. “Maybe you can start by spending an hour a week on your hobby of carpentry, or planning a weekend getaway with your spouse once a year.”

Even during a hectic day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. “Take a bath, read a trashy novel, go for a walk, or listen to music,” Stack says. “You have to make a little time for the things that ignite your joy.”

Adopted from an article on WebMD with comments from Laura Stack, president, The Productivity Pro, Inc., Denver; author, SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best.

Laura Stack

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A new survey by Travelers Insurance shows that Americans are seriously concerned about distracted driving – not so much by their own, but by others’.

We all know that even those oh-so-brief glances, at a certain poor yet perfectly precise moment, could lead to an accident – yet we do it anyway. So here’s the results from the survey as another heads-up to all drivers and fleet managers.

The bottom line: 85 percent of adults rate distracted driving as major

concern or somewhat of a concern. (Have a look at Pic 1, CLICK HERE)

More interestingly, 89 percent are concerned about getting into an accident involving another driver’s distracted driving.

But when asked if they fear that their own distraction by a mobile device or other technology would lead to trouble, only 31 percent say it is a major concern or somewhat of a concern, and 51 percent say they are not concerned at all. (Pic 2)

Also of note, there is an age divide between younger and older drivers when it comes to concern about technology behind the wheel – but it’s the opposite of what I would’ve predicted: Drivers under the age of 40 are nearly twice as concerned about electronic distraction than those over 40. (Pic 3)

Either we’re teaching our children well, or we’re hypocrites and they’ve

decided for themselves to take the risk seriously.

On the other hand, members of the so-called millennial generation are less concerned about computer and technology risks and loss of personal privacy compared to older generations. In this age group, born in the 1980s to mid-1990s, 53 percent say they have no concern about these risks, compared with 34 percent in older age groups. (Pic 4)

So what does that say? Heck if I know. But I’m still not texting and driving, and I change my passwords regularly.

Of course, fleet managers should also regularly evaluate the risks throughout your operation as well as your insurance coverage.

The complete Travelers survey about the things we worry about is available here.

Distracted Driving: It’s Not Me, It’s Him

With the harvest season in full swing, we know that equipment is going to break down at the most in-opportune times, but we still need to remember to follow the proper Lockout/Tagout procedures no matter how big of a hurry we are in. Viafield has policies and procedures in place to keep all team members and contractors safe while working on the different pieces of equipment.

Unfortunately this year, Viafield has experienced injuries due to not following our LOTO procedure. Keep in mind injuries effect more than just the team member, their family, teammates, and our customers likewise absorb the impact.Please follow the proper policies and procedures to keep yourself safe and hold your fellow team members accountable to do the same. That way everyone goes home the same way they came to work, in a vertical position and no missing digits. So, thank you for “BEING SUCCESSFUL BY BEING SAFE AT DOING YOUR SPECIFIC JOB ASSIGNMENT”.

The Importance of Lockout/Tagout

Safety Corner

Kevin DavisSafety Team Leader

8 Steps to an Effective Lockout/Tagout Program1. Notify all affected Team Members that you have implemented a lockout/tagout program.2. Assign each authorized Team Member a standardized lock with a single key.3. If the machine or equipment is operating prior to lockout, instruct Team Members to shut it down.4. Operate the switch, valve, or other shut-off device to isolate the energy source.5. Lockout or tagout the energy isolating device only by using the authorized Team Member’s assigned lock.6. After verifying that all Team Members are clear of the machinery, attempt to operate the equipment to make sure it will not operate.7. While the equipment is locked out, the Team Member whose key locked the machinery must retain the key at all times.

8. Once work is completed, clear the machine of all non-essential tools and materials, warn Team Members to stay clear and notify all other affected Team Members that the lockout/tagout device has been removed.

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Open Enrollment for 2015 Is November 10 Through November 26

The health and wellness benefits we offer our team members continue to be an important focus each year. 2015 is approaching quickly, and soon it will be time to review your Viafield annual benefit elections.

You will receive enrollment materials through the mail in the coming weeks outlining the differences for 2015 and instructions on the enrollment process. You can find instructions for the online enrollment in the back of the Enrollment Manual, on the Team Member section of our Viafield web page, and on the Benefits Portal.

The enrollment process will remain the same as in previous years. All benefit eligible Team Members must enroll or waive benefits through Paylocity’s Web Benefits module annually. Your current elections will already be selected in your profile, outside of the FSA (Flexible Spending Account) benefit you must enter a dollar amount for.

A few Highlights:

1. We will continue offering our Cafeteria Plan providing each benefit eligible team members with $450.00 per month benefit credits.

2. We will renew with our current insurance carriers.

3. We are pleased to announce there will be NO CHANGE IN PREMIUM for our Option 2 Medical Plan!

4. There are no plan design changes, except a positive change due to Healthcare Reform. Your prescription deductibles and copayments will now count toward your total medical out-of-pocket maximum.

5. Viafield will continue to pay your premium for basic life/ad&d and long-term disability.

6. We are adding new Voluntary Benefit options thru Assurant including Accident and Critical Illness policies, as well as Identity Theft and Legal Assistance through LegalShield.

If you have questions please connect with Anne or Jeanette in Human Resources at 641-715-1203 or abenning@viafield.com or jmulcahy@viafield.com.

Don’t forget to watch your mail for the 2015 Enrollment Materials and elect your benefits for 2015 between 11/10/2014 and 11/26/2014!

Anne BenningHuman Resources Team Leader

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A D D I T I O N S

Current

Openings

FULL-TIMEAgronomy Account Relationship Manager - East RegionAgronomy Account Relationship Manager - Marble Rock, Rockford, Rudd AreaAgronomy Operations - ArlingtonAgronomy Operations - Marble RockApplicator - Marble Rock Applicator - RandaliaApplicator - ArlingtonLocation Team Leader - ClermontMechanic - ArlingtonTruck Driver - Western Region

PART-TIME & SEASONALValley C-store Operator - Clermont

Josh Wallin

Position:Agronomy Operations

Locations:Northwood

Start Date:October 13, 2014

Luke Washington

Position:Energy Delivery Driver

Locations:Rudd

Start Date:October 13, 2014

We thank the following team members for all they have accomplished while working at Viafield!

Brian WallerA big THANK YOU and CONGRATS to Brian on celebrating 20 years! What a tremendous accomplishment.

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UpcomingEventsNovember 4, 2014 - Election Day - Get out to your local polling location to VOTE

November 7, 2014 - Member Appreciation Dinner - Diamond Jo Casino Northwood- 5 PM

November 8, 2014 - Member Appreciation Dinner - The Isle Casino Waterloo - 5 PM

November 10 - 26, 2014 - Open Enrollment - Log into Paylocity to elect your benefits

November 13, 2014 - Safety Meeting - Sumner Office - 9:30 AM

November 27, 2014 - Thanksgiving - All locations closed.

Stephanie Perkins November 1 MyrtleShelley Brockney November 1 Charles CityBrandon Demaray November 1 RuddJade Burns November 2 WinthropJohn Julseth November 5 NorthwoodKen Parcher November 7 Marble RockRyan Jarchow November 9 MaynardGus Engels November 9 RuddRegina Hoffman November 10 MaynardTroy Mohlis November 10 SumnerBrain Moser November 11 ClermontMatt Rislov November 18 LondonDave Quisley November 19 ManlyDan Franzen November 20 ElginBrian Dirksen November 23 RockfordSanda Weidemann November 23 SumnerEvelyn Green November 23 C-store

Stay in touch with your cooperative through our social media outlets.

Copyright © 2014 Viafield, a cooperative. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of Viafield is prohibited.

A number of Team Members will be celebrating their birthdays in November. Here’s your reminder to send them best wishes on their special day.

November Birthdays