On The Safe Side

The following locations had ZERO workers' compensation claims from April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Congratulations!

The Golden Safety Cone Award is to recognize employees in our District who have demonstrated excellence when it comes to safety. Each building has their own Golden Safety Cone. Anyone can make a nomination, so if you see someone being SAFE, please nominate them by completing the nomination form below and submitting it to your building safety committee! For more information, please contact your building safety committee.

Whether you are going into work or working from home, the COVID-19 pandemic has probably changed the way you work. Fear and anxiety about this new disease and other strong emotions can be overwhelming, and workplace stress can lead to burnout. How you cope with these emotions and stress can affect your well-being, the well-being of the people you care about, your workplace, and your community. During this pandemic, it is critical that you recognize what stress looks like, take steps to build your resilience and manage job stress, and know where to go if you need help.

• Feeling irritation, anger, or in denial
• Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
• Lacking motivation
• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having trouble concentrating

• Concern about the risk of being exposed to the virus at work
• Taking care of personal and family needs while working
• Managing a different workload
• Lack of access to the tools and equipment needed to perform your job
• Feelings that you are not contributing enough to work or guilt about not being on the frontline
• Uncertainty about the future of your workplace and/or employment
• Learning new communication tools and dealing with technical difficulties
• Adapting to a different workspace and/or work schedule

• Communicate with your coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress while maintaining social distancing (at least 6 feet).
  • Identify things that cause stress and work together to identify solutions.
  • Talk openly with employers, employees, and unions about how the pandemic is affecting work. Expectations should be communicated clearly by everyone.
  • Ask about how to access mental health resources in your workplace.
• Identify those things which you do not have control over and do the best you can with the resources available to you.
• Increase your sense of control by developing a consistent daily routine when possible — ideally one that is similar to your schedule before the pandemic.
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule.
  • Take breaks from work to stretch, exercise, or check in with your supportive colleagues, coworkers, family, and friends.
  • Spend time outdoors, either being physically active or relaxing.
  • If you work from home, set a regular time to end your work for the day, if possible.
  • Practice mindfulness.
  • Do things you enjoy during non-work hours.
• Know the facts about COVID-19. Be informed about how to protect yourself and others. Understanding the risk and sharing accurate information with people you care about can reduce stress and help you make a connection with others.
• Remind yourself that each of us has a crucial role in fighting this pandemic.
• Remind yourself that everyone is in an unusual situation with limited resources.
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and mentally exhausting
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns, how you are feeling, or how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting you.
  • Connect with others through phone calls, email, text messages, mailing letters or cards, video chat, and social media.
  • Check on others. Helping others improves your sense of control, belonging, and self-esteem. Look for safe ways to offer social support to others, especially if they are showing signs of stress, such as depression and anxiety.
• If you feel you may be misusing alcohol or other drugs (including prescription drugs) as a means of coping, reach out for help.
• If you are being treated for a mental health condition, continue with your treatment and be aware of any new or worsening symptoms.

If you feel you or someone in your household may harm themselves or someone else:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifelineexternal icon
  • Toll-free number 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • The Online Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon is free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
• National Domestic Violence Hotlineexternal icon
  • Call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224

If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety:

• Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon
  • Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Take advantage of Care24 services which are available to all District employees enrolled in a medical insurance plan. More information available at https://www.siouxcityschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Care-24-UHC-Employee-Assistance.pdf

If you need to find treatment or mental health providers in your area:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Find Treatmentexternal icon

Mental Health Resources

• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Stress and Coping
• American Psychological Associationexternal icon
• National Alliance on Mental Illnessexternal icon

COVID-19 Resources

• NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic
• CDC COVID-19
• CDCINFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-888-232-6348 | Website: cdc.gov/info

Kysa Hagemann

Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Safety and Benefits

Email: hagemak@live.siouxcityschools.com
Location: 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6692

The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.

The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The District is required by Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs, activities, or employment.

Inquiries or grievances under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education/Title IX Coordinator at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, or both. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.