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We want to be your first choice when deciding to place your Theater, Music and other Performing Arts accounts. We are committed to this class and are able to provide comprehensive coverage and industry leading pricing to meet your clients’ needs.

Stress, called the “health epidemic of the 21st century” by the World Health Organization, costs American businesses up to $300 billion a year, According to “Stressed at Work,” a recent research report by Benzinger, Dupont &Associates, stress impacts work performance in nearly half (49%) of employees surveyed. Difficulties in concentration, absenteeism, and poor work quality are leading the way. Differences by gender or age can be significant.. Personal problems cause females to be absent from work more often, but males tend to miss more days of work. The frequency of disciplinary action for stress-related acts by males was almost twice as high as for women; with the 56-65 year-old age group having the highest disciplinary rates The good news: More than nine in ten employees (94%) report improved work performance following participation in an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The study recommends that companies work with their EAP in identifying and addressing the needs of workers, who are more vulnerable to stress, so they can prevent potential problems becoming serious. These programs and promotion campaigns should consider differences in gender and age. For example: Managers need to pay attention to female absenteeism because it might reflect stress at home and/or at work. To decrease male disciplinary actions, EAP support and wellness programs should focus on the specific needs of men in the workforce, and use promotional outreach methods that reflect male preferences for brevity (e-mail and text messages). The more familiar you become with signs and symptoms of stress on the job, the more effective you’ll be in encouraging stressed employees to engage with EAP and workplace health programs: which means the healthier your workers are, the better your bottom line! To learn more, feel free to give us a call at any time.

GMI has been a premier writer of Commercial Auto insurance since 1980. In the beginning, Norman Trudel focused GMI solely on the Auto Rental segment of the transportation industry.

Companies usually use some type of employee performance evaluation to assess successes and gaps in performance and convey these assessments to employees. Although this might be helpful, it's not enough. If you want your employees to be more engaged and productive, you need to understand their intrinsic motivations. To do this, consider adding these questions to the employee performance review conversation. (Notice that we use the word "feel" a lot because it's the employee's emotions that should concern you.): How do you feel about your job? How do you feel about the direction of the company? Do you feel that you have improved your skills over the last year? To what extent do you feel that you have grown as a person while working for us during the past year? What do you feel is the most valuable thing you do at work? Where do feel you can add more value to the company? Out of curiosity, have you looked at other job opportunities or are you completely satisfied here? If not, what would it take to satisfy you? Do you feel you're being paid fairly? If not, what do you feel you should get paid and what do you base that on? Do you feel we have exhibited a management style that's caring and supportive? If not, how can we do a better job of this? Is there anything that we haven't spoken about that feels unfair to you and might get in the way of our working relationship or your success at this company? Is there anything else you would like to share that we haven't talked about? These are brave questions to ask because most managers really don't want to dive into the emotional landscape – which is a big mistake. As Daniel Goldman reminds us in Emotional Intelligence, it's your E.Q., not your I.Q., that's most important to becoming a great leader or manager. Consider having this conversation outside of your office where it might feel safer for the employee. For example, "Now that we've discussed your performance I like to have a little deeper conversation about your work here and I don't want to do it in the office. Where would you like to go talk about this? " You don't have to buy this idea wholesale. Test it out. Play social scientist and begin with just one employee. Let him or her know that you're opening up to a more meaningful conversation; and that because you've never tried this before it will be a learning experience for both of you!

Monte Vista Christian School to donate portions of proceeds from event Watsonville >> The Monte Vista Christian School performing arts department is putting on a Disney-themed concert to raise the spirits of children with cancer as well as funds for Jacob's Heart. The Watsonville-based private school's show Friday at the Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 E. Beach St. in Watsonville, will feature a number of songs from the Disney repertoire with a strong focus on the latest animated movie, "Frozen." Proceeds from the concert will go to Jacob's Heart, the Watsonville-based nonprofit that helps children with cancer and their families. "Since the concern is basically for the children (at Jacob's Heart), we're going to make it a Disney-themed concert," said Tony Dehner, director of vocal arts at Monte Vista. It's the first time Monte Vista has organized a concert fundraiser, according to Dehner. The idea was sparked from a conversation Dehner had with Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano. The two spoke at a dinner event in November to celebrate Solano's 18-year-old son, who attends Monte Vista and sings in the school's choir, making it into the California regional honor choir. "We're Facebook buddies so he had been following the various stories through my wife's posting of my updates," Solano said, referencing his own battle with cancer. Solano publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in August and took a three-month leave of absence from the police department to focus on treatment. During the conversation, Solano talked about his cancer battle and Jacob's Heart, which Solano has been a strong advocate and supporter of, came up in the discussion. Eventually Dehner suggested a fundraiser for the nonprofit and, soon, the concert was conceived. "It's just been a great opportunity to bring people together," Solano said. Though the school hosts a spring concert each year, it has traditionally taken place at the high school's auditorium. The decision to change venues to the Mello Center was prompted in part because of the expected number of attendees. The concert will feature two sections. The first half will focus on popular and classic songs and a second half will focus on Disney songs. Songs from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movies are in the first part of the program as well as a song by Led Zeppelin. The Disney portion of the show will feature 20 characters from the franchise, all in costume, Dehner said. "I'm pretty sure we're going to sell out," he said. Children from Jacob's Heart and their families are expected to attend the show, free of charge, Dehner said. About 170 Monte Vista students will take part in the performance, including three choirs, the vocal ensemble, the jazz band, the orchestra, the high school band, the dance team and the handbell choir. "The guests will be treated to really quality and incredible music and singing that is right here in our own backyard," Solano said. All tickets are $10. For details and ticket reservations, call 831-728-2711. What: Monte Vista Christian School hosting a concert fundraiser for Jacob's Heart When: 7:30 p.m., Friday 5/16 Where: Mello Center for Performing Arts, 250 E. Beach St. in Watsonville Detail: Call 831-728-2711. Content provided by http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/watsonville/ci_25755193/watsonville-school-hosts-fundraiser-jacobs-heart

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