Learning To COVexist

Senior Advisor, Global Affairs at American Benefits Council. Global HR expert developing innovative HR and benefits strategies.

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It has been three years since we were introduced to Covid-19. During that time, we’ve experienced worldwide disruption and a workforce—including leadership—that has been greatly divided on how to manage the problem. Employers have been tasked with deciding whether the organization should force employees to get vaccinated or lose their job, if employees can and should work from home (and for how long), whether everyone must wear masks in the office and more.

When I contracted Covid-19, I was keenly interested in how others managed their illness. I sought advice from my most brilliant colleagues, friends and family. An incomplete list of recommendations from highly respected individuals included goat milk; baby aspirin; mushrooms; raw garlic; ivermectin; high doses of vitamin C, D and B; tonic water with quinine; organic raw zinc; quercetin; Tylenol; Mucinex DM; Paxlovid; melatonin at bedtime; and doing nothing.

While I started out with the staunch belief that everybody has a social responsibility to get vaccinated, I’ve come to an understanding that not everyone thinks the way I do. Our country is a melting pot. Our unique culture is what makes us great because of our individual differences. This explains why our nation is the center of creativity. We’re free and encouraged to think out of the box. From technology to medicine to every field, we excel. We will continue to have varying degrees of ideas, ideals and values across the nation, and these, therefore, mirror our workforce. What was discovered during this time is that no matter what science we can profess about the vaccine, there are equal forces against it, based on good, personal and individual reasons. We’ve seen how even authoritative regimes (i.e., China) have failed in their ability to manage their own people under the Covid umbrella, so forcing workers into a belief system just doesn’t work.

First, gain consensus independently amongst the C-suite members then gather them together. Suggest taking the initiative to communicate the importance of acceptance. It falls squarely within diversity, equity and inclusion. Let’s do what we can to integrate the differences among our workforce—and even leadership. It will not only bring people together but also virtually every study shows the increase in productivity with an integrated workforce that is moving the organization in the same direction, one that is fully integrated and engaged. Engagement is the single greatest asset that your workforce has to beat the competition, stay in the lead, increase revenue and create more profits.

When asked how I was feeling after overcoming Covid, I replied, “I’m at about 96%. That’s pretty good considering I was at 91% before I got Covid.” If a crisis is the same as an opportunity, Covid could represent an opportunity here to practice our strengths in duty of care, empathy and understanding. It’s an opportunity to take our pre-Covid workforce which may have been operating at 91% to a post-Covid workforce at 96%. That benefits everyone. Let’s not miss this opportunity to bring our workforce together and COVexist.

Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?

PULSE Council

The PULSE Council is a group of eighteen students who have taken PULSE and have been chosen to continue working with the program as student leaders. Council Members can assist students and supervisors by answering questions, discussing concerns, and acting as a resource for everyone involved in PULSE. Each PULSE Council Member coordinates three or four community partners.

As a coordinator, the Council Member aids interested students in selecting and getting oriented to a community partner and serves as the primary contact for the students and the designated site supervisor throughout the academic year. During the course of the year, Council Members will arrange meetings with all students at each service site and will remain in contact with students individually. These meetings provide PULSE students with an opportunity to discuss the experiences that pertain specifically to their service site. Each Council Member has three office hours per week in the PULSE office (Stokes N125).

5 new Seattle City Council members sworn in

Those sworn in included five new members and two who retained their seats during the 2023 November general election.

SEATTLE — The Oath of Office was administered to elected Seattle City Council members on Jan. 2.

Those sworn in included five new members and two who retained their seats during the 2023 November general election.

The following council members were sworn in:

Of those names, Morales and Strauss are the only returning council members.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the culture here at City Hall from the ground up – a culture that truly unifies our City,” Saka said. 

Saka won the race for District 1 over challenger Maren Costa after receiving 54% of the vote during the 2023 general election.

“I’m honored to be here today to begin my second term representing the people of District 2 – a part of the city with so much brilliance and so much potential. I want to thank everyone who voted for me. I want to thank my entire district for the honor of continuing to serve you.  I want to welcome my new colleagues to the Seattle City Council. I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you." Morales said.

Morales was reelected to serve District 2 after receiving 51% of the vote and defeating challenger Tanya Woo.

“I can’t wait to get to work with my new Council colleagues. As we usher in a new era at City Hall together, I am excited to get to work, give my D3 neighbors a voice at city hall, and address the issues we face in both District 3 and the city,” Hollingsworth said.

Hollingsworth won the race for District 3 over challenger Alex Hudson after receiving 53% of the vote.

“I believe we can earn back the trust and respect of the residents of Seattle. I am humbled by the privilege to work with my colleagues on the Council, with Mayor Harrell, and with our entire community," Rivera said.

Rivera narrowly defeated challenger Ron Davis for District 4 with 14,180 votes over Davis' 13,945.

“Friends, at this time when the sirens of a strongman sing loudly, we must demonstrate that a pluralistic society and democratic government can meet the needs of all its residents for safety, for housing, for opportunity, and for community and care. I have no doubt that Seattle will rise to the call and, once again, show itself a leader.  So, now, without a moment to lose, Iet us get to work," Moore said. 

Moore was elected over challenger Christiana Obeysumner after receiving 64% of the vote.

“It is us working together that will create the success we all want and know we can be. I look forward to working with you, working for the residents of D6 and Seattle. Now, let’s get the job done for our city," Strauss said.

Strauss was reelected after receiving 53% of the vote over challenger Pete Hanning.

“As a new Councilmember I am looking to bring my public service experience from my Naval career and from the past decade being a civic volunteer and community leader to my new role. Ultimately, it’s about creating a safe base for our children, our families, our small businesses, our bigger ones too, our schools, and our busses. But, also, importantly, for the most vulnerable amongst us and those in crisis,” Kettle said.

Kettle defeated incumbent Andrew Lewis after receiving 51% of the vote.

An immediate task for this council will be appointing someone to fill the citywide seat left open by Teresa Mosqueda, which will make six new members on the council. That application opens on Wednesday and the seat has to be filled in the next 20 days. 

KING 5 asked three of the councilmembers what qualities they are looking for as they decide on who they will appoint to this seat:

“I'm looking for someone who has a demonstrated record of collaborating across differences, finding common ground, and ultimately getting stuff done, stuff that works for all of us,” said Councilmember Rob Saka.

“We have a very new council, and I think it will be important to try to find somebody who has a little bit of experience in these topics,” said Councilmember Tammy Morales, referring to topics like a transportation levy, a new police contract, and the city’s comprehensive plan.  

“A person who has been engaged, someone who has really sought to better their neighborhoods and a person who knows the issues from that engagement,” said Councilmember Bob Kettle.

Nelson is council president, committee chairs selected

Meanwhile, Councilmember Sara Nelson was unanimously selected as council president and committee chairs were selected on Jan. 2.

The following council members will serve as chairs on these committees: 

"It’s the biggest issue were facing I mean there's a lot of top issues, but as I mentioned in my remarks we have to start with a safe base," said Councilmember Bob Kettle, of chairing the Public Safety committee. 

"I’m really interested in supporting our local businesses, our small businesses, and being able to locate within our neighborhoods," said Councilmember Tammy Morales of working on housing and commercial districts in the city. "So that's one of the things I'm interested in doing on the Land Use Committee."

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