Creating value by connecting people, strategy and performance.

April 30, 2013

The HR Link

NEW HEALTH INSURANCE RATES

O n April 22, 2013 the JN Group Human Re-

source Development Department an-

nounced that there will be an increase in

the health insur-

ance premium rates effec-

tive May 2013.

This increase in premiums

paid by employees is as a

result of continued increase

in the organization's health

utilization levels, there has

been an increase in the

costs associated with the

provision of the health in-

surance benefit for employ-

ees. The current utilization

level is 119%; which is a 14% increase over the

2012/13 contract period.

At its present level group utilization stands

well over 39% above industry standards.

Janice Green, JN

Group Benefits Officer

notes that this reality of

continuously high utili-

zation since 2010 and

administrative costs

from our supplier Sagi-

cor ,employees are

faced with an increase

in costs for the same

benefits.

Ms. Green further

stated that the new

rates effective May 1,

2013 for the 2013/14 contract period are :

JNBS employees with a dependent will pay

$4148 and those with the family option will

now pay $7521. JNGI will also continue to

absorb 75% of all health insurance costs.

JNGI employees as of May 2013 will pay $

1037.50 for employee only plans, $2074.50

for Employee plus one and $2917 for fam-

ily plans.

GHRD encourages all card holders to exer-

cise due care in the use of the cards by en-

suring that they do regular check ups and

only utilize the card to subsidize medical

care and drug costs.

WELLNESS CORNER

Four Ways to Improve To Your Health

1. Start a Food Diary.

Studies have shown time and again that people who keep

food diaries are more likely to lose weight. Before you even

start to make changes to your diet, start by writing in a food

diary for two weeks. Record everything you ate, nutritional

information like fat, fiber content, and more.

2. Take a Hard Look at your Lifestyle and Food Habits.

Look through your food diary. What sorts of lifestyle habits,

both good and bad, are contributing to your food choices and

preferences? Don’t have enough time in the morning to eat a

big breakfast? Ordering takeout at the end of the day because

you’re too tired to make dinner? Find simple solutions like,

say, waking up a little earlier each morning or doing some

prep work over the weekend to prepare for weekday dinners.

Often times, lifestyle changes will bring upon diet changes.

3. Start Slowly. Let’s say you want to run a marathon, but can barely make it around the corner without stopping. Does it

mean you’ll never be able to go the distance? No, it means you haven’t trained enough. The same applies

for revamping your diet. If you suddenly cut 1,500 calories a day, your body won’t be very happy, and

you’ll be more likely to stray from your healthy eating plan. But you can train yourself to, overtime, in-

corporate healthy eating plans. Try to swap out, or cut back on, one thing a week. Swap white grains for

bran or whole grains. Reach for an apple or a handful of nuts instead of potato chips .

4. Consider Not Just What You Eat, But How Much. So much of dieting is about how much we eat, not neces-

sarily about what we eat. Studies have also shown that

people tend to underestimate how much they consume.

You can blame restaurants, in large part, for that one —

they’ve gotten us accustomed to larger portion sizes over

the years.

You can still eat many of the foods you love as long as

you monitor your portion sizes. Love chocolate? Try to

limit yourself to one small piece a day.

2

“Just as a seed

contains all it

needs to

sprout, so are

you already

equipped to

thrive”.

Securing a Golden Performance…

Every performance review period, we hear the words work plan. A Work Plan is developed from a unit

plan and documents how each individual will contribute to the achievement of departmental and organisa-

tional objectives. Similar to the Strategic and Unit Plans it covers all four perspectives of the Balanced

Scorecard Model. It outlines how and when the individual target

will be achieved. The means of verification and the resource re-

quirements are integral to the development of the work plan.

In writing your work plan, make sure to use the following tips:

1. use an accomplishment verb such as implement, harness, culti-

vate, calculate, incorporate, Automate etc.

2. Articulate a single , specific, measurable result.

3. Make sure to include a standard such as a costing of the tar-

get.

4. Include a timeline for achievement of the target.

In following these tips, writing your workplan should be a much easier process . Remember that your

workplan should include routine every day activities and is a critical step in ensuring the success of the

organisation.

GET YOUR NHF TODAY

Regardless of age, health or income status, residents can get help

through the National Health Fund (NHF) by applying for a NHF

health card. The NHF card provides subsidies for fifteen ( 15)

chronic illnesses including : Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Hyper-

tension, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, Vascular Disease, Diabe-

tes, Epilepsy, Major Depression , Asthma and Glaucoma and Arthri-

tis.

Apply : It’s 4 Easy Steps

1. Collect a NHF Application Form from your doctor, hospital,

health clinic, pharmacy, NHF Head Office or any NHF Helpdesk location across the island.

2. Take it to your doctor who will fill in the illnesses from which you suffer. The doctor must

sign the form including his or her doctor registration number.

3. Fill out all the relevant sections of the card – name address, date of birth, gender and your Tax

Registration Number (TRN). If you do not have a TRN card, apply to your nearest Tax Office.

4. Ensure that you copy the number correctly on your application and attach a photocopy to the

completed application form and mail or take them to the NHF office.

3

SCENES FROM ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK

Sharpening the saw…..Encouraging Academic Success

Creating value by connecting people, strategy and performance.

Special points of

interest:

April 30,

2013—Deadline

for Appraisal

submission .

May 10, 2013—

Lunch and

Learn Parent-

ing Session @

JNBS Chief

Office

The Editorial Team

Mr. Lincois Ewers

Mr. Judon Bowden

Ms. Ingrid Marshall