Sales Update

LOA Reminder

What is LOA?

• LOA stands for – Leave of Absence

• LOA is to cover an extended time off from regular work. Whether the LOA is covered under the Federal Family Medical Leave or RRI West’s Personal Leave, it is unpaid (unless you elected Short Term Disability), that may protect your job while you are not able to work for medical reasons (self or immediate family) or military reasons.

• Being on an approved LOA may help protect your Full-Time status by not counting the weeks with zero hours.

What do I need to do if you or your employee would like to take a LOA?

• Once someone requests a LOA, please contact Tamara Ross (Tamara.ross@rriwest.com) or Kelly McCloud (Kelly.mccloud@rriwest.com) and they will send you the LOA Request Form.

• Complete the LOA request form for the employee and return it to your P&C team.

• The P&C team will check to see if the individual is eligible.  If so, we will start the required paperwork and send it to you and the employees’ email address.

How do you know if someone needs to take a LOA?  We have a simple saying:

3 days out…… give us a shout!!

If an employee is out for more than 3 days, contact Tamara or Kelly immediately!

Thank you for your assistance in maintaining compliance with both federal, state and internal protocols!

Leadership: Building and Leading a Team

Effective leadership is essential for building and guiding a successful team. Great leaders inspire their teams, create a sense of purpose, and drive collective progress. Here are key elements of building and leading a team:

Vision and Purpose: A leader's first step is to articulate a clear vision. This vision gives the team a sense of direction and purpose. It's crucial to communicate the "why" behind the team's goals, fostering alignment and motivation.

Selecting the Right Team: Building a team begins with selecting the right members. A good leader understands the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of individuals, ensuring that their skills complement one another. Diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving and innovation.

Fostering Trust and Collaboration: Trust is the foundation of any strong team. Leaders need to create an environment where team members feel valued, safe to express their ideas, and confident that their leader supports them. Open communication, transparency, and empathy help build trust and foster collaboration.

Empowerment and Delegation: Successful leaders empower their team by delegating tasks and responsibilities, allowing members to grow and showcase their abilities. Leaders must trust their team to make decisions and solve problems, which not only builds confidence but also drives efficiency and innovation.

Encouraging Growth and Development: A leader's role is not just to direct but to develop. Mentoring, providing feedback, and offering opportunities for professional growth ensure that team members continue to improve and feel valued.

Adaptability and Resilience: Leading a team often involves navigating change and overcoming challenges. Leaders must remain flexible, adapting their strategies as needed. They should also foster resilience in their teams by encouraging a mindset that views obstacles as learning opportunities.

Celebrating Success and Learning from Failure: Recognizing and celebrating team achievements boosts morale and reinforces positive behavior. Equally important is creating a culture where failure is viewed as a learning experience, not a setback. This helps teams stay motivated and continuously improve.

Leadership is about more than just managing tasks—it's about inspiring people, fostering collaboration, and empowering teams to reach their full potential. Effective leaders build teams that are resilient, innovative, and unified in purpose.