Program addresses Y2K’s impact on employee health
Program addresses Y2K’s impact on employee health
Work/life module aimed at reducing stress
While unmeasured quantities of ink and airtime have been devoted to the likely impact of the year 2000 (Y2K) millennium bug on the nation’s computers, precious little time has been devoted to the impact that feverish preparations for Jan. 1, 2000, are having on employees.
Many companies are asking employees to work untold hours of overtime to help make sure the organization is Y2K-compliant, and some are even suspending vacations during December — a time when stress levels are traditionally high.
In recognition of these added pressures, Westport, CT-based DCC, a provider of workplace services aimed at increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism, has introduced a new program it calls Y2KARE. This work/life program provides customized counseling, education, and referral support to help employees manage personal responsibilities while working to prepare their companies for Y2K.
To Peter Burki, DCC’s CEO, the need for this program was obvious. "We’ve seen it, we’ve heard it, we’ve been touched by it ourselves," he says. "Some organizations we work with are actually rescinding time off and asking employees not to take vacations in December and January because of potential pratfalls. A lot our clients — as well as DCC itself — have requested that their information technology groups be here 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the transition period of mid-December to mid-January. From our own perspective and from that of the clients we assist, we came to the conclusion there was need for a program like this because DCC and other companies are asking a lot of our employees. The question then became, What can we do to support our employees to give them the tools they need to be able to meet the demands we’re putting on them?’"
DCC had a preview of the Y2K situation during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, working with Coca-Cola and other clients. "All Coke employees were asked to volunteer to help at the Olympics, and those [who] the company decided were business-critical had to commute at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.," Burki recalls. "We proactively put in programs to meet all types of needs — many of which we will face during the Y2K changeover."
Program components
The Y2KARE program’s major components include:
• team of counselors;
• "preferred network" of providers and local resources;
• negotiated discounts;
• specialized programs.
Drawing on a nationwide database of more than 4 million providers, a team of Y2KARE counselors will set up the network of providers and local resources surrounding clients’ specified locations. The team will then negotiate with appropriate providers to arrange for extended hours of service, weekend care, vacation camps, special holiday services (such as gift-wrapping, personal shoppers, and catering), and convenience/concierge services. The network is available "24/7" via a toll-free number, as well as through DCC’s private Web site.
"The convergence of the holidays and Y2K is a double whammy," notes Burki. "We will put in customizable programs of all types. We will go to the actual providers, tell them that we have a specific number of employees requiring their services, and that the employer is willing to support those employees in finding and paying for the services they need. We will negotiate discounts, and make reservations for the employees we are working with."
The services will run the gamut from childcare to in-home care providers who will take care of young children or an aging loved one. Specialized programs may include meal delivery or home shopping.
For new or existing clients
The program can either be an add-on for existing DCC clients or a stand-alone for new ones. "As an add-on, the cost is about $2,000 per location," says Burki. "New clients will be quoted based on the size of the employee population, geographic disbursement, and number of locations."
The response from current and potential clients has been pleasantly surprising, Burki says. "People are really on top of and aware of this issue; we’ve had clients sign up right and left. Companies are looking for mechanisms to support the employee at this time of critical need."
Once the new year has begun, will this added stress on employees continue? "I think we’ll have a very strong indication on Jan. 1 in terms of the magnitude of the problem," Burki offers. "It could be the mouse that roared,’ or it could be something very impactful."
[For more information, contact: Peter Burki, DCC, 400 Nyla Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880. Telephone: (800) 873-4636. Web site: www.Dcclifecare.com.]
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