The IFB Beat 10-28 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Greetings all! This week’s edition of the IFB Beat is full of updates and important information just for you! Be sure to check it out so you’re in the loop on all the latest—from benefits updates and key surveys to company awards, community events, and celebrations.

Thank you for staying connected with the IFB Beat, and wishing you a fantastic week ahead!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager
apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Reminder: ACTION NEEDED: 2024 Employee SSDI Survey
– Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
– Reminder: IFB Annual Performance Reviews Open October 28
– Reminder: Help Accessing Polls for Asheville, Winston-Salem and Clemmons Employees
– Reminder: Asheville and Winston-Salem Facility Halloween Festivities
– Reminder: Attention Veterans!
– Reminder: Winston-Salem Facility Canteen Operating Hours
– 5S Winner for FY24: Winston-Salem Facility!
– Community Low Vision Center Updates

From Our Community

– Winston-Salem Facility Blood Drive Thursday, November 14

HR and Opportunities

– Medicare Info Session at Winston-Salem Facility
– New Job Announcements

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links
Archived Editions of The IFB Beat

Reminder: ACTION NEEDED: 2024 Employee SSDI Survey

2024 Employee SSDI Survey: for employees who have not signed-up for assistance through your supervisor and would like to independently complete the survey.

The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is collecting data on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) reform and the negative impact of the SSDI ‘Cash Cliff.’ This issue continues to affect employee income and attendance, and NIB is actively addressing it with Congress.

To strengthen NIB’s advocacy efforts, they are seeking valuable data. We are asking all blind employees, at every level, to consider completing this national survey. Participation is entirely optional and anonymous. The survey will collect no identifying information, and the results will be analyzed in aggregate only. It aims to gather insights from employees who are currently receiving SSDI benefits, those who have received them in the past, and those who have never received them.

IFB Solutions wants to support this initiative and is committed to assisting employees with it in hopes of effecting some changes that may benefit a large part of our blind employee population.

If you need assistance completing this survey, contact Morgan Dugan at mdugan@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5612.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H6VR5JN

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Observed each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or “NDEAM,” we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM’s purpose is to confirm our commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year. That’s the spirit behind this year’s theme: “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

IFB Solutions recognizes the employment barriers and remains committed to changing lives by creating job opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Podcast Heard and Empowered features Shannon Satterfield, director of professional services at IFB Solutions. This episode highlights how Shannon is dedicated to empowering people who are blind or visually impaired nationwide, bridging the gap between aspiration and employment. His tireless efforts ensure workplaces are accessible and equipped with necessary resources, including remote opportunities.

Check it out here!

 

Reminder: IFB Annual Performance Reviews Open October 28

IFB Annual Performance Reviews will be made available through your Paycom Employee Self-Service portal on Monday, October 28 for all admin and salaried employees. Please log in to your Paycom portal to complete your employee self-review as soon as possible. Comments are required to support ratings. Self-reviews will close out on November 11 and cannot be reopened.

Upon finishing your review, please be sure to type your name on the signature line, date the review, and click “Final Approve” for your manager/supervisor to complete their portion of the review. Managers/Supervisors must have ALL employee reviews completed in Paycom by Friday, November 22.

All hourly employees’ performance reviews will be handled by supervisors.

Please contact Luyann Ledesma at 336-245-5666, lledesma@ifbsolutions.org or Mary Hunter at 828-667-9778 ext. 5827, mhunter@ifbsolutions.org if you have any questions.

 

Help Accessing Polls for Asheville, Winston-Salem and Clemmons Employees

If you need help getting access to the polls for early voting, please let your supervisor know and IFB management will help connect you with transportation solutions for early voting on Friday, October 24 or Friday, November 1. ober 25, and Friday, November 1. Transportation will be provided from your home to the polling site and back home.

If you need help, please contact your supervisor, who will in turn work with the following to connect you with transportation options:

Asheville and Winston-Salem Facility Halloween Festivities

Halloween is right around the corner, and we invite all interested employees to dress up and have a little fun!

Asheville: On October 31, the Asheville facility will have a Halloween Parade at 8:30 AM and all employees will enjoy candy bags and cookies during breaks after the parade.

Winston-Salem: On October 31, the Winston-Salem facility will have a costume contest and parade at 10:00am, while treat bags of candy will be distributed to all employees.

Categories for the costume contest are:

  • Scariest
  • Most Creative
  • Best Group
  • Best Overall

In addition to the festivities, we’re excited to introduce a fun game: “Candy Corn Count!” Participants can guess how many candy corns are in a jar located in the break room. You are welcome to touch and feel the jar to help make your estimate! The employee who guesses closest will win a “Boo Basket” filled with Halloween treats…not tricks. For any employees needing support with participation or those who would like to enter the game, an HR representative and/or Claudia will be available to assist.

 

Attention Veterans!

Each year around Veterans Day, IFB Solutions honors individuals who have identified with our HR department as Veterans. PLEASE report your veteran status to HR by Wednesday, November 6 so that we can recognize your service – if we don’t have you on the list, we can’t honor you! Stop by the office of a member of HR or send an email to HR@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Winston-Salem Facility Canteen Reminder

The Canteen is closed daily between 3:45p and 4:30p for cleaning. Please plan accordingly. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

5S Winner for Fiscal Year 2024: Winston-Salem Facility Takes the Belt!

Winston-Salem plant leadership pose with the 5S trophy and belt

We are excited to announce that our Winston-Salem team has won the FY2024 5S award! The team worked diligently to complete monthly department audits and fostered a culture of cleanliness and organization. While there’s still progressed to be made across all locations as 5S is part of our continual process improvement, we want to congratulate the Winston-Salem team for their exceptional efforts! Winston-Salem did a great job with the fifth step of 5S “Sustain,” keeping their scores at 95% or above.

To celebrate this achievement, all manufacturing employees will enjoy breakfast biscuits on Monday, October 28 during their first breaks.

What is 5S and why is it important?

5S is a Lean method focused on workplace organization and cleanliness to improve quality and efficiency. It also plays a key role in supporting our blind and visually impaired team members by ensuring everything has a designated place and is consistently stored, creating a more accessible and safer environment.

The 5S steps are:

  • Sort
  • Set in Order
  • Shine
  • Standardize
  • Sustain

You can view a chart of these with additional detail here.

Thank you for your hard work in making the 5S program a success! The trophy and belt are up for grabs for FY2025—good luck to all teams!

 

Community Low Vision Center Updates

CLVC Item of the Week:

DI Insulin Carrying Case

Insulin Carrying Case for $18.19. Transport your insulin and syringes safely in this eyeglass case-style carrying case. It holds 2 vials of insulin, alcohol swabs and 2 syringes. The case protects the insulin bottles from rapid temperature changes.

If you have questions or are interested in any of the weekly items, please contact your local CLVC for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Winston-Salem Facility Blood Drive Thursday, November 14

Submitted by the AAA Committee at IFB

Winston-Salem Facility Red Cross Blood Drive Hosted by AAA Committee will be Thursday, November 14, 2024. Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your donations assist with heart surgeries, revitalizing accident victims, organ transplant recipients, and patients needing lifesaving procedures. So, will you raise your sleeve and help someone have a second chance in life?

When: November 14, 2024
Where: Tad’s Room (Winston-Salem)
Time: 10:00 am-2:30 pm, Contact your supervisor to set up an appointment to donate.

Admin contact: Morgan Dugan at mdugan@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5612 or AAA President Marcia Harton at marcialharton2013@gmail.com.

 

HR & Opportunities

Medicare Info Session at Winston-Salem Facility

For more information, reach out to Tammy Whitmire-Powers, IFB Solutions Benefits Administrator at twhitmire-powers@ifbsolutions.org.

Medicare Information Sessions will be held October 30, 2024, at the Winston-Salem location. Topics will include:

  • Basics / Changes / Cost
  • Significant changes to Part D-Prescriptions!
  • Difference between Medicare Supplement & Medicare Advantage
  • How Medicare and Medicaid work together

Hourly employees should inform their supervisors if they are interested in attending a session. Hourly Admin and salary employees may contact Tammy Whitmire-Powers at twhitmire-powers@ifbsolutions.org or ext. 5644 to schedule a time to attend a session.

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Mattress Closer – Clemmons Facility

Education and work experience:

  • Must have high school diploma or GED equivalent.
  • 1-3 years mattress sewing experience desired.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=105441&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=105442&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Utility Person – Textiles – Winston Salem Facility

Education and Work Experience

  • Two years’ sewing experience is required.
  • A working knowledge of computers is required.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=105708&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=105709&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
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Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576