On August 23, 2021, the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first COVID-19 vaccine.

The much-anticipated approval was given to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which is for those ages 16 and older. The vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty, according to an FDA news release.

Prior to August 23, the vaccine was distributed to citizens under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This authorization allows the FDA to strengthen the nation’s public health protections that include infectious diseases by getting medical countermeasures out during public health emergencies.

Not everyone is in tune with their emotions enough to know they need to take a mental health day from work.

Even if they are, new research shows that more than half of employed Americans would be nervous to take a day off for mental health reasons because they believe an employer will think less of them. Unfortunately, the consequences of employees going hard until they are on the verge of quitting or having a mental breakdown are real. The cost is expensive to both employees and employers.

Research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that anxiety and depressive disorders cost the global economy a trillion dollars in lost productivity each year.

Unsure of the signs to look for that an employee needs a break?

Below, this post covers the tell-tale signs an employee needs to take a day or two for themselves. Read on to keep these signs in mind for the health of your employees and yourself.

The question has circulated for a while: Can employers mandate a COVID-19 vaccine?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as one would think. But now that companies like Facebook and government entities like the VA are requiring employees to get the jab, it’s important to share what that means for both employers and employees. Some employers are even including the mandate in job listings these days.

Below, we share insight from a lawyer and attorney on the rules for employee mandated vaccines still under emergency authorization and who may be exempt. Plus, we’ll share a few ideas for incentivizing your staff to get their shots. 

Here’s a look at the most pressing question in the business world right now.

Just why are vitamins essential to good health?

Believe it or not, our bodies need 13 different types of vitamins daily in order to thrive and function properly. These vitamins work inside the body to help with cell development, growth, and overall function.

This is why doctors stress the importance of a healthy, well-balanced diet. It’s also another reason to keep up with your annual blood work; it can indicate where you’re severely lacking in necessary vitamins and minerals. As we go into the fall season, if you’re planning to see your doc for your flu shot, you might as well follow-up on your blood work needs, too.

If you need a refresher on the vitamins you need to stay well all year round, we’ve got you covered. Below, we dive into the 13 different vitamins your body needs, which food sources are the best to consume for each, and whether your daily multi-vitamin is necessary.

In recent weeks, mental health discussions sprouted from the unlikeliest of places: the Tokyo Olympic Games.

After gymnast Simone Biles’ recent departure — and stunning return — to the Olympic stage after a brief mental health break, she tackled the subject head on during interviews.  The four-time Olympic gold medalist stepped away briefly from the Tokyo Olympics and withdrew from several competitions after realizing she wasn’t in the right mental headspace.

"We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day, we're human, too," said Biles, according to The Associated Press. "We have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do."

As a nod of unity to the talented gymnast for talking about mental health, we decided to round up mental health quotes of the day for you to share. Quote them to your staff daily, send them in an email, or even put one on a sticky note placed on someone’s desk who you know needs it.

Ready to inspire your own mental health conversations at work? Read on.

Looking to make life easier for your teams in 2021 and beyond?

Then investing in and using digital HR tools is a wise move. Intuitive tools paired with technology is a great way to keep your team connected and engaged.

As teams move into a hybrid or fully remote work environment, having the best tools for your employees to connect, engage, and collaborate is essential. Build trust in your remote — and in-house — employees by showing them you’re willing to invest in their work environments.

But it can be overwhelming to figure out just which HR tools are worth investing in. That’s why in this post we share the best tools to use in the workplace and the key features of each to make your decision easier.

HR folks, get ready to share these amazing tools with your leadership to get workflows moving smoothly while skyrocketing employee engagement!

For those working from home, it may be a pain in the neck for more reasons than one — including literal pains in the neck and back.

Thanks to improper work stations and sedentary lifestyles, neck and back pain is becoming more of a problem for at-home workers. Unfortunately, many remote workers are finding neck, back, leg, and shoulder pain are now becoming the norm, according to the UT Southwestern Medicine Center.

It’s an expensive problem for employees and employers, too.

The American Chiropractic Association reports, “Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year — that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country.”

Ouch.

With remote work becoming the norm, now is the time to help your team work more comfortably. Here’s a look at how to relieve neck and back pain and how to prevent it in the first place.

Is employee engagement important?

The answer is a resounding yes.

As more companies move into hybrid work models, it’s more important than ever to keep employees engaged to minimize staff turnover and improve efficiency and productivity.

Sadly, only one in five employees actually want to work for the company they’re hired by, according to the Workforce Institute 2021 Engagement and Retention Report. Worse yet, about half of employees surveyed plan to actively job hunt this year. Eek.

A lack of employee engagement could be caused by numerous factors including: poor company communication, false alignment with the company’s mission, minimal recognition, and more.  

Below we share the importance of employee engagement and how to engage your employees even more so they never want to leave your company.

Looking for a health observance to promote at work next month?

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to the importance of vaccinations for all ages. For employers, this is a great time to raise awareness about which vaccines adults need, reasons to vaccinate, and how to find vaccination sites with ease.

Since the COVID vaccine rollout, there has been much interest in vaccines, how they work, why we need them, etc. 

National Immunization Awareness Month is a great opportunity to dispel COVID vaccine myths and update workers on other shots they may need beyond the COVID shot.

Staying well at work seems trickier than it used to be.

Unfortunately, COVID is making a comeback with new variants shutting down places like Australia and Bangladesh, halting business operations for many. With these new outbreaks (and some health organizations encouraging vaccinated folks to mask up again), it’s important for employers to stay vigilant in keeping their in-office teams safe.

With every state seeing an increase in COVID cases, it’s essential for companies to prepare and practice prevention efforts to keep the virus from spreading. In doing so, leadership can help employees who have come back into the office stay well at work and feel comfortable staying in the workplace.

“A simple trick to adopt in the office is to post reminders about health and safety throughout the office,” says Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy, a primary care doctor for DoctorSpring. “It should become common practice for everyone. Condition them to adopt such protocols so that it will be a normal practice for them.”

Want some more guidance?

Here’s what your company can do now to help your team stay well at work: