COVID-19 Team Update: Taking care of our community
As the Secretary noted in this video message, it has been one year since our museums closed to the public and much of our staff began working from home. During that time, our community has had to adjust to new ways of working while coping with the stressors of the pandemic, caring for ourselves and our loved ones, and finding new ways to meet the needs of the audiences we serve. Finding balance while managing competing priorities over such a long period of time has been no easy feat. The health and well-being of our staff is paramount and has been our most important consideration during this last year.
As the Secretary mentioned, the Smithsonian has tools available to help you manage your work commitments and care for your well-being. Please consult this list of resources.
Well-being Resources
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers employees short-term counseling by phone. EAP staff are available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at the numbers listed below:
- Tim Holloman 202-633-1054
- Debbie Burney 202-633-1099
- Karen Howard 202-633-1104
Inova Employee Assistance (IEA) provides employees and members of their households additional services including:
- Short term counseling, available 24/7
- Access to work life services online (e.g. consultation and services for day care centers, back up care, lactation support, eldercare, pet care, legal and financial counseling service and many more)
- Life coaching
- Online mindfulness sessions and stress reduction programs
The program can be found at www.inova.org/eap or by calling 1-800-346-0110. Your Username is Smithsonian, and your password is EAP. More information can be found here.
Additional Smithsonian Resources
The Smithsonian offers other resources to decrease stress, increase physical activity, and focus on well-being. For example, the National Museum of Asian Art offers Meditation and Mindfulness seminars three times a week.
Smithsonian EAP has compiled a list of internal and external mental health resources that can be found under the “Learn More” section of Smithsonian’s COVID-19 Wellness website. This compilation can direct you to everything from groups that specialize in tackling anxiety, self-help organizations, and mental health services.
Many of us miss connecting with our coworkers throughout the day about work and life. Just because we are apart, does not mean we cannot support one another. Pick up the phone and give your colleagues a call. Set up a Zoom or Teams meeting to chat over your morning coffee. Saying hello can lift someone’s spirits, even your own, more than you know.
Celebrate Each Other – STAR!
Every day, SI employees are going above and beyond in their roles and in taking care of their colleagues. Celebrate and acknowledge their efforts – nominate your colleague for a Smithsonian STAR! Is someone on your team especially diligent in following the safety guidelines to make sure your team stays healthy? Let them know you see and appreciate their efforts with a STAR! Is there a colleague who always wears their mask correctly and kindly reminds others to do the same? Make sure their attention to safety is noticed! Is there a person who always takes their lunch at off-times to make sure the break room is not crowded? Acknowledge their willingness to be flexible! All of these are examples of the types of safety-focused reasons you might want someone to receive recognition. When you send someone a STAR, you are sending thanks and delivering smiles.
Workplace Flexibilities
The Smithsonian is committed to ensuring workplace flexibilities are available as widely as possible. Examples of these flexibilities include telework, alternate work schedules (AWS), alternate work assignments, and voluntary reduction in hours. The latest information on AWS is in this information packet.
Not all flexibilities will be appropriate for all employees due to staffing needs, job requirements, and other considerations. Work with your supervisor to explore options, seek guidance, and request the solution that will help you complete your work tasks and meet life’s demands. As a reminder, if you are telework eligible you are currently permitted to telework while caring for children at home.
Please take advantage of these resources, tools, and ideas. If you are dealing with extraordinary stress, reach out to EAP and speak with your supervisor about flexibilities that could ease your situation. Visit the COVID-19 Wellness website for resources that can help you day-to-day. And, finally, look out for your colleagues and teammates; seek and provide support for one another. We are not yet at the finish line, but we are nearing the home stretch.
Stay safe and be well,
COVID-19 Response Team
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Posted: 15 March 2021
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