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HEALTH & HABITAT
April/May 2013 www.esb.ie/em
MEMBERS FIRST
Update on new Products and Services
ST. PATRICK'S CREDIT UNION (ESB STAFF) LTD.
Simon Dunne
ELECTRONIC ANNUAL REPORTS AND HALF-YEAR ACCOUNTS
We are delighted to announce that in April and May we will be sending our Half-Year accounts (October 2012 to March 2013) electronically to all members for whom we have an email address. This will allow members to view the financial accounts whenever they wish without having to print them off, which saves on paper, printing and postage, and is better for the environment. A hard copy will be sent to all other members and those members who have opted for the email service have also already been given the option of continuing to receive a hard copy of the accounts. The annual report, which will be issued in November, will also be available electronically.
NEWSLETTER
We are launching a newsletter in early April, which is part of our on-going commitment to keep our members up-to date on what is happening in their credit union. This regular newsletter will include articles on recent events in the credit union and also general financial advice. It will be sent via e-mail to all members for whom we have an e-mail address and a hard copy will be sent to other members with their quarterly statements.
Please see our website for further details on any of the above or call the office on 01 632 5100, where a member of staff will be happy to help you.
NEW LOAN PRODUCTS
We launched three new loans in January 2013 and now have a suite of six loan products that are helping members to meet their specific borrowing requirements:
STANDARD LOAN - for cars and home improvements.
GREEN LOAN - for home energy improvements.
ONE YEAR LOAN - for holidays and credit card debt.
EDUCATIONAL LOAN (new) - for ongoing educational costs.
CONSOLIDATION LOAN (new) - to clear expensive external debt.
RESTRUCTURE LOAN (new) - to clear expensive external debt and reduce credit union payments.
St Patrick's Credit Union Competition
Win an iPod nano!!
To be in with a chance of winning please answer the following question and text your answer to 087 9858238 in the following format:
“CUCOMP followed by your answer (i.e. a, b or c) and your name”
What type of loan aims to help members finance home energy improvements?
a) One Year Loan b) Educational Loan c) Green Loan
Important Only one entry per person, no mail entries acceptable, and the closing date is Friday May 31st.
Last issue's winner was Denise Fannin, working in Clanwilliam House. Congratulations Denise and your iPod nano is on the way out to you.
ESB pilots Pieta house Mind ur Buddy scheme
PIETA HOUSE was established in 2006 to help people in acute distress who have attempted suicide or who have suicidal ideation. It provides a free service, seven days a week, to help people in distress through a team of qualified, trained therapists. Since its inception, Pieta House has helped over 8,000 men, women and children.
ESB plans to work with Pieta House over the next year ona pilot programme called Mind ur Buddy, launched in Head Office by Chief Executive Pat O'Doherty on Monday February 11th. ESB has selected 10 staff from ESB networks, electric ireland and the BSSC to participate in the scheme and they are currently receiving training from Pieta House. After their training, the then will be able to provide peer support and a direct referral to Pieta House to colleagues (and family members of colleagues) who may be at risk of suicide or self-harm.
The Mind Ur Buddy programme is a new initiative for Pieta House and pilot programmes are also being planned with the Gardai and Defence Forces.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
» ESB HEALTH SERVICES AIMS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SUPPORT BY ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION AND BEST MEDICAL PRACTICE.
ESB
HEALTH SERVICES
We also aim to promote and maintain the health and wellbeing of ESB staff in the workplace. We are medical specialists who focus on the interaction of people's health with their work, ie the effect of work on health and the effect of health on work
Our service focuses on two key elements: occupational health and health promotion.
• Attendance management
• Health surveillance
ESB Health services plays a key role in attendance management: we support and assist line managers in their management of individual cases of employee absence from work, in line with the ESB Group's attendance policy
We examine aspects of each individual case such as:
• Determining the employees health status in relation to nature and severity of the medical condition
• Liaising with management on appropriate adaptation of working environment to facilitate rehabilitation
• Supporting staff to ensure safe rehabilitation and safe return to work
In order for a line manager to avail of this service they must complete a referral form. The trigger points for a referral include
• Reportable illness (eg Cardiac disease, epilepsy, vertigo, etc)
• Long-term illness (Trigger point: >20 working days)
• Short term/frequent absences (3 to 15 days)
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE:
Health surveillance programmes are offered to staff where they may have been exposed to potential health risk while at work.
Hearing Surveillance: Every three years we facilitate the roll-out of hearing tests to staff who have been in noisy working environments. All hearing tests are reviewed by Health Services and follow-up appointments are arranged if necessary, depending on individual results. All appointments are scheduled by Health Services, however, the location of your appointment depends on individual's work location.
Asbestos Surveillance: Any staff member who could have been exposed to asbestos while at work can be referred, via Health Services, to a respiratory physician for assessment. All referrals must be approved by line manager or, in the case of retired staff, by local EAP officer if you are retired staff.
Travel Vaccination Clinic: We offer help and advice to staff who travel abroad on business. Staff should make an appointment with us up to four weeks prior to travel to ensure they have adequate cover before they travel. Depending on the travel destination, they can also avail of an overseas medical kit.
Pre-employment Health Assessment: All recruitment candidates must have a pre-employment health assessment completed prior to the commencement of employment. This is to ensure that they are medically fit to do the job that they have applied for. The type of assessment used is job specific.
Health Promotion and illness prevention: The Health services team recognise that it is important we consider the health and wellbeing of ESB staff.
Our services are outlined in the table below:
Cardiovascular Health Screening Available to staff and their spouses on a rolling three yearly basis. Head Office and the dublin area screening is due to commence in 2013.
Bowel Screening test Offered to all staff over 40 years of age - available throughout the year however promoted in April during Bowel Cancer Awareness month
Flu Vaccination Available from October to January every year
Smoking Cessation Programme Nicotine patches are available throughout the year, however, they are actively promoted in January and March each year
Sun Protection Cream Offered to staff working outdoors this includes staff who travel overseas
Suite of Health Booklets/Leaflets Can be obtained on our website at esbnet/sharedservices/health/default.shtm
Regular Exercise Try out our online Fitness Programme- esbnet/sharedservices/health/health_wellbeing/fitness.shtm
BODYWHYS
EAP
NOTICEBOARD
BODYWHYS, the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, is the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by Eating disorders. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, which can affect anyone at any age. The behaviours involved in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder can differ substantially, though the underlying psychological symptoms are often similar. Although the effects of an eating disorder can be significant, it is important to remember that recovery is possible.
Key to that recovery is early intervention. An eating disorder may be experienced very differently by each individual and, as such, establishing what works for that individual is crucial. This may mean working with a doctor, with counselling or with some form of inpatient treatment.
The impact of an Eating disorder on personal relationships can be significant and the availability of a support network is critical. Support for family and friends is also important.
Our Support Services
Bodywhys provides support groups for those affected by eating disorders, and also for friends and family members. The groups in Dublin and Carlow are open to those aged 18 and older.
The Bodywhys 1890 200 444 LoCall Helpline runs six days a week. Callers can explore their situation through a non-judgemental, listening service. For current times of operation, see our website.
The association operates two online support groups for people with eating disorders. Bodywhys Connect is open to those aged over 18. The Bodywhys Teens online Group is for those aged 13-18 years. These are popular with those who wish to maintain anonymity, or are living in an isolated area.
Bodywhys email support, alex@bodywhys.ie, allows for increased anonymity and flexibility while providing the optimal level of support.
All Bodywhys support services are confidential and delivered by trained volunteers.
For further information on this or any related matter contact your local EAP Officer.
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a confidential service provided to ESB Staff and Pensioners.
