Author: Ken Becker

We want to let you all know how much we appreciate the amazing job you have done and continue to do!

We also want to recognize three newcomers to our team! Jason Bistline, Deanna Jackson, and Jessica Scruggs! Make sure you take time to get to know these amazing teammembers!

Snacks will be available in the kitchen for anyone who’s hungry!

As some of you may know, soon Matt will be moving on to his next great opportunity. His last day with ContactWorks will be this Wednesday 1/26. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors!

With Matt departing, we’ve found and brought in an excellent individual with an impressive background in call centers and training. She was recently an Adjunct Professor, teaching classes on Microsoft products!

We’re excited to introduce everyone to Nicole Davis. She will be taking over the lead position of the shared queue. While she has some big shoes to fill, we know she’s up to the challenge. She’s been monitoring calls the past couple of days to begin getting familiar with the different clients, and will continue working to familiarize herself with those lines of business and the processes/procedures currently in place.

Be on the lookout for some feedback from her call monitoring soon.

Nicole will be working to schedule time with each of the shared queue agents to have introductions and get to know each one a little better.

To keep you, your neighbors, and your loved ones safe, we wanted to provide the following update:

Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 5. You can find recommended Austin-Travis County guidelines posted around the office, or on the Austin-Travis County guideline website.

Travis County and Austin Public Health mobile vaccine clinics offer 1st dose, 2nd dose, and booster shots. The consent of a parent or guardian is required for anyone under 18, and the parent or guardian must be present. Appointments are not required, and the COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone.

Click to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Site near you.

 

You can also place an order for FREE At Home COVID tests kits.

• Limit of one order per residential address
• One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
• Orders will ship free starting in late January

Before the holidays get into their full swing, ContactWorks is resuming our annual Thanksgiving Potluck on

Tuesday November 23^rd at 1 PM

We will have ham and turkey provided. Ken will bring usual carbonated soda pop cold beverages. George will make some side dishes. You are not required to bring anything other than yourself but I know everyone would appreciate something to share!

Sign-up Sheet is on the break room door.

 

The time has come to return back to your stations in the office! Your date of transition will be provided by your direct supervisor. In the meantime, we want to ensure the safety and peace of mind of all of our employees. As such, we’d like to ask that you follow the procedures below.

 

• Employees should enter and exit through the back door only. Guests and visitors will use the front door.
• If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask when not eating and not at your desk.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after touching any surface, before eating, and after using the restroom.
• Please wipe down any surfaces after use.
• Please maintain a safe distance of 6 feet from each other while in the building.

 

If there are any changes to the rules, your direct supervisor will inform you. Please reach out to your direct supervisor for any questions or concerns.

First of all, I hope that everyone is safe at home and enjoying some additional family time or “me time”. I appreciate the sacrifices that you all have made as a result of the reduced hours. We are trying our best to keep everyone working. As a company, we find ourselves adapting to an ever changing landscape of pandemic news and Client dynamics. We’ve lost a few smaller Clients so far and some reduced demand from others. We are in the process of taking advantage of the government programs made available last week to help us through the downturn. We expect some initial financial support as early as next week, assuming the application process is working. The management team is working on individual schedules that they can share later in the week or early next week. I ask for your patience and support as we get through these daily challenges.

Please stay home and keep safe.

Thank you!
Tom

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law. It provides support to individuals and businesses that have been devastated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic.

The CARES Act contains important provisions that will affect HSAs, HRAs and FSAs.

Effective immediately

• HSA-qualified health plans can now cover telehealth and other remote care service expenses below the HDHP statutory deductible limit, or at no or low-cost sharing, without affecting an account holder’s ability to continue contributing to their HSA.
• Over-the-counter drugs and medicines (those available without a doctor’s preescription) can now be paid or reimbursed through an FSA, HRA or HSA (just like they could before the Affordable Care Act).
• Feminine hygiene products are now considered a qualified medical expense and are eligible for payment or reimbursement through an FSA, HRA or HSA. All expenses incurred after December 31, 2019 qualify.

The management team wanted to remind you all how much we appreciate all your dedication and hard work. From all of us to all of you, may you have a great and Happy Valentines Day!

We have a new cigarette receptacle outside our back door. If you find yourself smoking in the area, please make sure you place your butts *inside* the receptacle. It would be tremendously appreciated!

We will be holding our internal cook-off to pick the recipe that will represent us at this year’s Candlelight Ranch Chili Cook-off!

Signup sheet here: https://forms.gle/8QqBNQjpvopQYNmS6