IFB Beat – Week of January 8, 2024

A Message from the Editor

This week, learn how Guardian’s self-service options will save you time and keep you informed, learn about free yoga classes to stay fit this year and mark your calendar as we provide you with the 2024 holiday schedule.

For Winston-Salem employees, please take note of the two updates regarding construction and the heating unit.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Notices for Winston-Salem Facility Employees
– IFB 2024 Holiday Schedule
– See what S.E.E. is Doing!
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– Benefit of the Month
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

Notices for Winston-Salem Facility Employees

The heating unit that supports the Winston-Salem manufacturing and administration portions of the building is currently down. A part is expected early this week that will restore service. Temperatures on the manufacturing floor are anticipated to be in the upper 60s while the unit is down, so please consider bringing an extra layer to work on Monday, January 8.

Temperatures in the Winston-Salem administrative offices are anticipated to be in the lower 60s on Monday, January 8. Any administrative employee that can work from home is encouraged to do so to avoid using of space heaters that may trip breakers or cause other safety issues.

Low Vision and the Cafeteria have separate heating units and are not impacted. IFB will update again once we know when the part will arrive and can be installed.

In addition, demolition has begun on the former optical lab. Shipping and receiving employees will be using extreme caution navigating the WSSA warehouse space; all other employees are prohibited from entering the warehouse area. If you need to access shipping and receiving, please walk around the outside of the building and enter near the former mattress store.

 

2024 Holiday Schedule

Mark your calendar! IFB Solutions’ 2024 schedule for manufacturing and distribution operations at the Winston-Salem (including Clemmons) and Asheville Facilities is below. For administrative, BSC and Workforce Services employees, please refer to the 2024 holiday scheduled emailed to all admin by Brenda Livingston on December 28, 2023.

Winston-Salem, Clemmons and Asheville Manufacturing Paid Holiday Schedule:

For 10 Hour Employees

• New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2024
• Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 15, 2024
• Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2024
• Juneteenth Wednesday, June 19, 2024
• Independence Day Thursday, July 4, 2024
• Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2024
• Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25, 2024

To be paid for the holiday, hourly associates must work at least 8 hours on the last scheduled workday before the holiday and at least 8 hours on the first scheduled workday after the holiday. All associates must be sure to gain approval in advance from your supervisor for any work schedule deviations from your standard scheduled hours surrounding any holiday. Additionally, you must be employed with the company for 90 days prior to the holiday to receive holiday pay.

2024 HOLIDAY SHUTDOWN SCHEDULES

Please note that all holiday shutdown schedules are subject to change based on business needs.

• July 4th Operating Schedule: Office & Textiles will be shut down in observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4th. Administrative employees will return to their normal work schedule on Friday, July 5th and manufacturing employees on Monday, July 8th.
• Christmas Shutdown: Textiles Manufacturing will be closed Wednesday, December 25th and Thursday, December 26th. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Monday, December 30th. Textile manufacturing will be closed Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, for New Year’s Day. Employees will return to their normal schedule Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.

As a reminder for administrative employees: offices will be closed Wednesday, December 25th. Employees will return to their normal work schedules on Thursday, December 26th. Offices will be closed Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, for New Year’s Day. Employees will return to their normal schedule Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.

Associates must be sure to coordinate work schedules and any other leave requests with their direct manager or supervisor, with as much notice as possible. Employees are encouraged to manage their vacation time accordingly to avoid unpaid time during shut down periods. Should you have additional questions please contact your direct supervisor.

 

See what S.E.E. is doing!

On day 2 of S.E.E. Christmas Camp “Christmas Present”, we all enjoyed making shower steamers at Buff City Soap. Choosing the scent and color from a store full of choices was fun. We enjoyed lunch from McDonalds while we waited for them to set in the circular molds. We also made white Christmas at the schoolhouse by making homemade party mix and then drizzling it with white chocolate. All of this went into our shoeboxes of gifts for our families.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

• Monday, January 8 NFB meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room
• Tuesday, January 9 Sight Adjustment support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

Meat Thermometer for $21.95. Great for grilling or in the kitchen. Quick 2-3 second response! Registers from 32F to 392F – 0C to 200C. Easy to use – 7 preprogrammed meat types and a USER mode to set the temperature you desire. Audible alarm. Extra long 8 in probe helps keep fingers away from heat.

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Insider Corner

This section is edited by Faith Harding. Reach out to her at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

APH Presents: Career Conversations: an interview with Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst for National Disability Rights Network

Thursday, January 11, 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 PM EST

Join APH CareerConnect for our very popular Career Conversations Series.

Claire Stanley, J.D., Public Policy Analyst for National Disability Rights Network, will speak about her work in public policy. Often, people think of having a degree in law and going to court as a lawyer. Claire, uses her voice to influence public policy related to disability issues on the national level. Claire will share her journey from college into her current career working on public policy.

Register here for Career Conversations Webinar Registration – Zoom

Hadley Podcast: Insights and Sound Bites

Listen in as people facing vision loss share their insights about what has helped them cope and adjust. Access the podcasts here: Insights & Sound Bites | Hadley

 

FREE! Get moving with MAB’s Virtual Yoga/Tai Chi class

Want to try yoga? This class is good for all ages and abilities. You can participate seated in a chair or standing next to one. Click on the Zoom link or One tap mobile, to participate in this great class!

When: Thursday, January 18, 2024 4:00-5:00 pm

Where: Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82937221316?pwd=NlhFUHhMcEVIS2dVdUZTeitzcWJkdz09

Meeting ID: 829 3722 1316
Passcode: 542119
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,82937221316#,,,,*542119# US
+13017158592,,82937221316#,,,,*542119# US (Washington DC)

 

HR & Opportunities

Benefit of the Month

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Guardian’s self-service options will save you time and keep you informed. We urge you to register on Guardian Anytime today!

Speak to a Guardian representative about your benefits and claims by calling the Customer Service Center at 1800-627-4200. You may also navigate to https://signin.guardianlife.com/signin/precheck/ to register for your Guardian Anytime account; where you can submit and/or view claims, print/view ID cards, view Explanation of Benefits (EOB), and more!

 

New Job Announcements

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

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576

 

Assistive Technology Support Group Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/94434630872?pwd=aXFYSHYyWkh1SE1tWDNOdDIwVURwUT09

Meeting ID: 944 3463 0872
Passcode: 924496

+13017158592, 99434630872, #, # US (Germantown)

+13126266799, 99434630872, #, # US (Chicago)