Join the Wellness Committee on January 21 at NDC and January 22 at Robin Centre where you can de-stress and rejuvenate for 2016. 

Meet us in the hallway for hot chocolate and cookies, and while taking a break from the computer screen, you can unwind and clear your thoughts with a favorite pastime, colouring…

Yes! Research has shown that colouring for adults is a great way to reduce stress and clear your thoughts.   

After colouring, wander over to meet our meditation expert who will share with you the proven scientific benefits of meditation: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Next, visit Lifeworks.com, the RRC Employee and Family Assistance Program website to navigate and find resources to help in managing stressors in your work and personal life.

 End your break by visiting our therapy dogs who will brighten your day and lift your spirits!

 Staff and students – please drop by!

 January 20, 2016 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – NDC Library Hallway

January 21, 2016 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Roblin Centre Atrium

For more information, contact wellness@rrc.ca.

Red River College Athletics and Recreation Services offers Group Fitness Programs suited to all interests and fitness levels. Our highly trained and enthusiastic instructors will lead you through a fun and challenging workout suited to you.

Registered Programs For 2016 Winter Term

Here are some the classes already scheduled for next year!

Boot Camps with Jesse on Mondays from 12:05pm to 12:50pm and Wednesdays from 11:05am to 11:50am.

Yoga with Amanda and Shannon on Mondays from 4:15pm to 5:15pm and Thursdays from 4:15pm to 5:15pm

Dynamic Core with Lesley on Tuesdays from 12:05pm to 12:50pm and Thursdays from 12:05pm to 12:50pm.

Cardio Fusion with Ming on Tuesdays from 4:15pm to 5:00pm.

20/20 Stack Training with Lesley on Wednesdays from 11:05pm to 11:50pm

Spin with Lesley on Thursdays from 11:05pm to 12:50pm.

Fitness Classes Now Free for Students!!!

Starting in 2016, all Fitness Classes are free to use for RRC Students. Students can fill out Fitness Class registration form, minus payment, and drop it off or email to Recreation Coordinator Cole Skinner @ coskinner@rrc.ca or GM20 in the North Gym. Students are also welcome to drop in the fitness classes as well, provided space available.

Info

Regular classes will start January 25th and run until April 11.

Drop in cards for 5 or 10 classes per term can also be purchased.

Free Week

Not quite ready to sign up? Want to try a class but not fully commit? Then Free Week is for you! January 18-22, all of our Fitness Classes are free to try for everyone. Bring a friend and have some fun!

Register

To register for a class download the 2016 Winter Fitness Classes Registration Form , if your staff, alumni or community user fill it out and take it to the Student Service Centre to make a payment.  If you are a student, please complete form and drop off at Front Desk at the North Gym.

****EDC/Downtown Students and Staff.

Sport Manitoba is offering Fitness Classes this year that will also be open to RRC Students and Staff. With the Sport For Life Centre only a few blocks away in the exchange, this is an excellent option for those working/studying downtown and looking to participate in Fitness Classes.

Click Here for more information.

Minimize your stress this holiday season![1]

Preparing for the holidays comes with increased demands on our time and activity. Stress results when demands exceed our ability to cope. The holidays are events out of the ordinary that we often expect to be extraordinary. Finding the perfect gift, preparing the perfect meal or hosting a family gathering with no setbacks or conflicts may not be a realistic expectation, for yourself or for others. When expectations are too high, when they are not met or things happen that are out of our control, we can end up feeling disappointed or frustrated and stress is a likely result.

Everyone has a different way of coping with stress and some can make the situation better or worse. Here are some positive ways to cope with holiday stress:

• Review your expectations for the holidays. Make sure your expectations are yours and not someone else’s and make sure that they are realistic. What you can do and want to do might be very different.
• Make sure that you are expecting something over which you have some control. Make sure that you plan an event that you can make happen.
• Let others know what you expect of them and don’t forget to ask for help if you need it.
• Only take on what you can manage. Spending more than you can afford or inviting more people to an event than you can accommodate is likely to lead to stress and frustration.
• Review or plan your coping strategies before a special event. Time out for physical or relaxation exercise, a walk or hobbies can be great coping mechanisms for stress and are good lifestyle practices in general.
• Focus on what really matters. Think about what is more important to you – the perfect gift, a turkey cooked perfectly and on time or enjoying time with family and friends.

Your Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) through LifeWorks also has plenty of recourses to assist you with managing holiday stress. Visit the LifeWorks website to view some helpful articles.

Individual Health, Dental and Travel

Individual Health Dental Travel (HDT) Insurance plan assistance, offered through HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting, is a service that aims to provide additional coverage for an Employee who is already covered, or provide coverage for a dependent who is not otherwise covered for benefits.

Individual insurance is all about you. The insurance carrier, plan level and options are all chosen based on your wants, needs, and budget. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you can apply for plans that offer non-medical applications provided you apply within a certain timeframe of terminating your Group coverage.

This program is 100% voluntary for any Employee requiring additional coverage, leaving the Group Plan, or in need of coverage for a family member; simply contact HUB STRATA for your initial Needs Assessment.

Contact HUB STRATA at 1-866-787-2826 or at emerge@stratagroup.ca to discuss your post-group health, dental and travel needs.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

If you’re a family caregiver, you may be struggling to balance the demands of your many roles. This month, LifeWorks will feature their resources on caring for older dependent loved ones. Check out these resources:

• Podcast – Facing a Terminal Illness
• New Seminar – The Sandwich Generation

[1] Cohen, Dr. K.R. 2014. “Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Holiday Stress. Canadian Psychological Association. http://www.cpa.ca/docs/File/Publications/FactSheets/PsychologyWorksFactSheet_HolidayStress.pdf

Out-of-Country Emergency Travel Health Coverage

Eligible Red River College employees and their eligible dependents have 100% Emergency Travel Health Coverage for trips up to 90 days.

What is an out-of-country medical emergency?

The definition of an out-of-country medical emergency is “a sudden, unexpected injury or acute episode of disease”. You will not be covered if you are travelling against medical advice.

What to do during a medical emergency out-of-province/country?

When traveling abroad, it is important to carry your Great-West Life ID card. Your card includes the toll-free numbers required to obtain assistance during a medical emergency. In the event of an emergency call Global Medical Assistance (GMA) as soon as possible. The call can be made during or immediately following a medical situation, such as:

• You are hospitalized or about to be hospitalized.
• You need assistance in locating proper medical care.
• Physician and/or Hospital requires insurance verification (confirmed through GMA directly).
• You are involved in an accident requiring medical treatment.
• You have a medical problem and require translation service.
• Emergency evacuation is deemed medically necessary (arrangements will be made through GMA).
• Any serious medical problem arises.

Be prepared to give the name of the person covered, the group and contract number and a description of the problem.

For more information or to print your ID card, log in to the Great-West Life Member Portal with your Great-West Life user name and password.

Global Medical Assistance (GMA)

The Global Medical Assistance program through Great-West Life provides medical assistance through a worldwide communications network which operates 24 hours a day. The network locates medical services and obtains Great-West Life’s approval of covered services, when required as a result of a medical emergency. Coverage for travel within Canada is limited to emergencies arising more than 500 kilometers from home. You must be covered by the government health plan in your home province to be eligible. For a list of covered services, see your benefits booklet.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to build resilience and develop relationships by volunteering and committing to your community. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

Check out these resources:

• Podcast – Giving Back
• Seminar – Happiness: Learning from Positive Psychology

Remember your EFAP User ID and Password:

User ID: rrcefap                                Password: efap

STRATA Select Voluntary Benefits

Through the Voluntary STRATA Select Program, you are eligible for discounts on a variety of products and services such as:

• Hotel Bookings
• Home & Auto Insurance
• Home Telephone
• Home Security Systems
• Hospital Cash
• Individual Health, Dental and Travel
• Long Distance Savings
• MyCare (Medical Access Plan)
• Personal Safety Monitoring Devices
• Pet Health Insurance
• Travel Discounts
• Vehicle Rental Discounts (National / Enterprise)

Log on to your STRATA Select website for more information.

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Preferred Vision Services (PVS)

Preferred Vision Services is a service provided by Great-West Life. PVS entitles you to a discount on a wide selection of quality eyewear and lens extras including scratch guarding and tints when purchased from a PVS network provider.

You can also obtain a discount on laser eye surgery and even hearing aids!

You can use this discount as often as you like for yourself and for your dependents.

Refer to your group benefits booklet for more information. You can also contact the PVS Information Hotline at 1-800-668-6444 or visit the PVS Web site at www.pvs.ca for information about PVS locations and the program.

Supporting Your Wellness

Are you missing out on the resources and support your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) has to offer? RRC’s EFAP through LifeWorks is a resource to help you stay healthy, reduce stress, and be happier at work and at home.

Remember your EFAP User ID and Password:

User ID: rrcefap                                Password: efap

LifeWorks is available any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online and by mobile application.

Your EFAP provides:

• Toll-free access to qualified, professional consultants for confidential, expert help with work, life and everything in between;
• Telephonic, face-to-face or video counseling live via webcam with Master’s level counselors across Canada;
• Customized research to assist you in addressing your particular issues;
• Information about resources and support agencies located in your community; and,
• Access to hundreds of educational materials including articles, booklets, audio recordings/CDs, toolkits and assessments, and more.

NEW! Try the LifeWorks mobile app available for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices. This FREE app provides the convenience of EFAP access via your smart phone!

NEW! Now you can chat confidentially online with a qualified LifeWorks consultant. You can even access counseling services through the chat feature. You can launch a chat session on the LifeWorks website. A personal account is required to access the chat feature as well as self assessment tools and action plans. Visit www.lifeworks.com and click ‘REGISTER’ at the top right of your screen to register for a personal account. Personal account information and usage is confidential.

ORIENTATION WEBINARS! To provide you with more information on services available, LifeWorks provides 24/7 access to a pre-recorded program orientation webinars, and conducts scheduled live program orientation webinars throughout the year.

To view the pre-recorded program orientation webinar click here.

The next live program orientation webinar will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 1pm EST, to register click here.

Check out these recommended LifeWorks resources:

• Podcast – Quick Stress Reducers
• NEW full-length audio recording/CD – Brief Exercises to Help Reduce Stress
• Seminar – Relax the Body, Calm the Mind

It is influenza season again. We want to protect our friends, family, colleagues, and any with whom we interact who could become seriously ill. See  below for different myths that are “busted” .

MYTH: The flu shot gives you the flu.

FACT: The flu shot cannot cause the flu. It’s normal to feel tired, feverish, and achy for a couple of days after the flu shot. The real flu lasts 1-2 weeks.

MYTH: I never get sick, so I don’t need a flu shot.

FACT: You can give other people the flu even if you don’t have symptoms yourself.

Kids, elderly persons, and people who have chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, cancer, people who are on special medications) can get extremely sick from the flu.

MYTH: The flu shot will protect me from the stomach flu.

FACT: The flu affects your lungs, not your stomach. The flu shot is for a type of infection that affects your lungs only. The stomach flu is different and caused by different germs.

MYTH: You only need to get the flu shot once.

FACT: The flu shot only protects you for about 6 months. You need it once a year.

MYTH: Getting the flu shot is the only thing I need to do to not get sick.

FACT: You still need to wash your hands and cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing to prevent the spread of germs

Developed by Health Services 4th year Student Nurses who are here on practicum from Univeristy of Manitoba.

Feature Friday- Free Fitness Classes for Students

This ten session course will feature all of our great instructors! You will be able to try a wide array of fitness classes within the term, everything from yoga to spin class to boot camp! Along with this great variety, the class will be free to all students! A great way to experience a variety of fitness options here at RRC. Staff are also welcome to attend Feature Friday’s, for $70 they can attend all 10 classes.

As part of Red River College’s group benefits, Employees in Flex Options 1, 2, 4 or 5 may have coverage for a variety of dental benefits. Your coverage is based on your Flex Option choice.

Preventive and Basic Services

• Recall exams, twice per calendar year* (only once where a complete oral exam is also provided within the same year)
• Bitewing x-rays, twice per calendar year*
• Complete series of x-rays, one per 24 months
• Panoramic x-rays, one per 36 months
• Complete oral examinations, one per calendar year (initial examination with a new dentist)
• Polishing, scaling and fluoride, twice per calendar year*
• Minor restorative services (fillings, posts, prefabricated crowns for primary teeth)
• Periodontal and Endodontic services
• Oral surgery

*must be separated by an interval of at least 5 months

Major Services

• Crowns, Onlays, Inlays and Veneer Restorations
• Dentures, maintenance and repairs
• Bridgework

Orthodontics

• Coverage for dependent children under the age of 19 (treatment must start before the child’s 18^th birthday)
• Diagnostic services and treatments

For detailed dental coverage information refer to your benefits booklet.

The above is a summary of the provisions of the group plan. In the event of a discrepancy between this benefit and the master contract, the terms of the group contract will apply.

Pre-Determination of Dentalcare Benefits

Before incurring any large dental expenses ($500 or more), or beginning any orthodontic treatment, ask your dental service provider to complete a treatment plan and submit it to Great-West Life. The benefits payable for the proposed treatment will be calculated, so you know if the expenses are eligible and the approximate portion of the cost you will have to pay.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

It’s that busy time of year again, LifeWorks can support you with practical tips to tackle your individual, family and work to-do lists. Check out these resources:

• Podcast – Tackling Your ‘To-do’ List
• New Seminar – Stop Putting it Off: Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination

Mike Poitras, Guy Dugas, Wayne Ferguson, Tyler Steiner, Deron Warkentin, Michael Whalen, Dayna Graham

We did it! Your team cycled 140 km to the MS Riding Mountain Challenge finish line because you encouraged us to keep going, and you helped make sure Canadians with MS receive as much support as possible. We couldn’t have done this without our supporters at RRC, and we can’t thank you enough.

You helped us raise $6,392 for MS!

We were the #2 team in Manitoba (the #1 team, Mosaic, had 23 riders and raised $18,380). Why not join us in 2016 and help the team hit #1 next year?

Thank you RRC!

Dependent Children Eligibility

If you have unmarried, natural, adopted or step children, under the age of 22 and not working more than 30 hours a week, unless they are full-time students, they are eligible for coverage through your group benefits plan with Great-West Life. If your child is age 22 or over, they must be a full-time student to maintain coverage until age 25.

A child is considered a full-time student if they have registered in an educational institution for 15 hours a week or more; sometime in the last 6 months. If your child is being paid to attend an educational institution, they are no longer deemed a dependent.

Dependent Children, age 22 to 25 – Don’t forget to reconfirm Student Status

It is important for employees with dependent children over the age of 22 to remember to update their student status with Great-West Life to ensure their dependents continue to receive uninterrupted Health and Dental coverage for the duration of their formal education, or until age 25.

Watch for the student re-certification from Great-West Life each year!

Is your child covered while away at school?

The Out-Of-Country Emergency Care (OOC) provided through your Great-West Life plan only covers emergency medical situations while outside of Canada. An emergency is described as a sudden, unexpected injury or an acute episode of disease. Dependents attending school out-of-country will remain on your Health and Dental plan for the duration of their education, or until they reach age 25.

There are no pre-existing conditions on the OOC coverage; however, if the insured individual does have a medical issue, the condition must be stable and controlled for 3 months prior to their departure from Canada. If you are unsure, you should check with your doctor and Great-West Life.

So what does this mean for your child going out-of-country for school?

If your child is considered an eligible dependent, they will be covered for unexpected emergency medical while out-of-country. For a dependent who is not a student, no benefits will be paid for expenses incurred more than 90 days after the date of departure from Canada in the event of a medical emergency.

For a dependent who is attending school out-of-country, benefits will be extended if approval is given by the student’s provincial health plan. For more information on your provincial health plan, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/index.html.

Be aware that any routine or non-emergency services or expenses such as chiropractic care or prescription drugs incurred out-of-country will be reimbursed at the reasonable and customary amount charged in your home province of residence.

If you review your dependent’s coverage needs and require purchasing individual coverage, plans purchased in Canada for students abroad can be significantly less expensive compared to plans available through the school. Red River College employees have access to HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting Individual Health Dental and Travel service which provides information and assistance in obtaining individual coverage. Contact HUB STRATA at 1-866-787-2826 for more information.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

Positive, meaningful ties with friends, children, partners, spouses and work colleagues enrich our lives in many important ways. We have advice on giving it your best with others. Check out these recommended resources on giving it your best with others:

• Podcast – Going the Extra Mile
• New Seminar – Building Trust at Work and in Your Personal Life

STRATA Select Car/Truck Rental

Through our affiliation with HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting, we are able to offer our employees products and services at discounted or preferred rates through the Voluntary STRATA Select Program.

You may be eligible for a preferred discount for your car and rental needs in Canada, the USA, as well as overseas through Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car and Truck Rental (subject to availability).   For more information on these discounts or the Voluntary STRATA Select Program, please visit your STRATA Select website.

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