Chapter 4: Occupational and Financial Health
One mild Saturday in early December 2017, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at their apartment in Oakland, along with one of my other best friends, Carly Shay and her parents, Sam and Freddie, as well as my other best friend, Emily Mistle. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Would you ladies like anything to drink?" James offered us. "Angel and I would both like a soda," Emily replied. James got Emily and me our sodas. "I have some exciting news for you guys," I told my friends. "What is that?" Carly asked. "I got a job at the Goodwill in Lawrenceville," I announced. "That's great, Angel," Carly remarked. "I just got another job, too, at Boutique La Passerelle in downtown Pittsburgh. It's a clothing store." "Since we are talking about jobs, that leads to our topic of the day- occupational health!" I announced. "What is occupational health?" Sarah asked me. "Occupational health is defined as the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure time, addressing workplace stress, and building relationships with co-workers," I explained. "What are some ways to avoid occupational hazards?" "Be positive at work," Sarah replied. "Offer to help others at work," James added. "Don't spread rumors," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Talk to your friends or family but not those at work about work issues," Carly replied. "Talk to management if you have big issues at work," Mrs. Shay added. "Take time to think about situations that arise, but do not act right away," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Take proper safety precautions based on where you are working," Henri chimed in. "Be proactive when you see issues arising like cleaning or helping without being asked but do not hover," James added. "Ask for feedback and advice," Sarah replied. "Good," I agreed with my friends. "Now, what other dimensions of health does occupational health influence and why?" "Your financial health," Emily answered. "Your social health," Sarah replied. "Your mental health," James added. "Your emotional health," Henri chimed in. "Okay," I agreed. "Now, why is it important to achieve occupational health?" "So you do not get fired from a job, and it keeps you financially secure," Emily answered. "It builds your reputation as a good employee," Carly replied. "It makes you feel good and increases your confidence," Mrs. Shay added. "It avoids burnout," Mr. Benson chimed in. "All right," I replied. "Can you guys tell me some signs of occupational health?" "Doing work that you find motivating and interesting," Sarah replied. "Understanding how to balance leisure with work," Henri chimed in. "Working in a way that fits into your personal learning style," James added. "Communicating and collaborating with others," Emily answered. "Working independently and with others," Mrs. Shay replied. "Feeling inspired and challenged," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Feeling good at the end of the day about the work you accomplished," Carly replied. "Okay," I replied. "Now, what are some ways to improve your occupational wellness?" "Don't settle and keep motivated to work towards what you want," Sarah replied. "Increase your skills and knowledge to advance your occupational wellness goals," James answered. "Find the benefits and positives in your current job," Henri chimed in. "Create connections with your co-workers," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Avoid overworking yourself and find a work and life balance," Mrs. Shay added. "Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy," Carly replied. "Write out your occupational goals and create a plan to reach them, and then start working the plan," Emily answered. "I would talk to a career counselor if I feel stuck and know myself so I can discuss accommodations with Human Relations or my supervisor," I pointed out. I paused for a second. "Now, how would I ask for on the job accommodations?" "First, decide if you feel disclosing your diagnosis is something you want to do, like what are the pros and cons, and will this improve your workplace wellness," Mr. Benson replied. "Then, if you choose to disclose, decide when the right time to do that is, like during the interview phase, or waiting until you are hired on, or when there is an issue," Mrs. Shay pointed out. "Finally, have a script ready, like how I have been successful in the past was to work from a written list instead of verbal instructions or how I have been successful in the past was to remove any unnecessary distractions, like typing reports in an office away from the reception area, and then finishing this part of the conversation by asking if that was something they could do for me," Carly suggested. "Can you guys think of some sample on the job accommodations?" I asked. "Providing advance notice of topics to be discussed in meetings to help facilitate communication," Sarah replied. "Allowing employees to bring an advocate to performance reviews and disciplinary meetings," James added. "Providing structured breaks to create an outlet for physical activity," Henri chimed in. "Providing a checklist of assignments," Carly replied. "Dividing large assignments into several small tasks," Mrs. Shay added. "Providing a checklist of assignments," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Allowing additional training time for new tasks," Sarah replied. "Relocating the employee's office space away from audible distractions," James added. "Reducing clutter in the employee's work environment," Henri chimed in. "Encouraging the employee to ask or e-mail work-related questions," Emily answered. "Giving assignments verbally, in writing, or both, depending on what would be most beneficial to the employee, like use of visual charts," I pointed out. I paused for a second. "Now, let's talk about financial health, which is defined as having an understanding of your financial situation (where your money is coming from and where it is going) and taking care of it in such a way that you are prepared for financial changes," I explained. "Now, what factors influence our financial health?" "Your job, including how often you work and how much you get paid," Sarah replied. "Your cost of living, like your bills, car repairs, fuel, and insurance, hobbies, and food," James added. "The size of your household, including your pet, partner, and child," Henri chimed in. "Your location," Carly replied. "Your debt," Mrs. Shay added. "Living within your means," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Good," I agreed. "Now, what are some areas related to financial health we want to improve on?" "How about making and following a budget?" Emily suggested. "That sounds like a great idea!" I exclaimed. "Can you guys tell me some signs of financial health?" "Learning how to manage your money and establishing a personal budget," Sarah replied. "Not living beyond your means," James added. "Learning to not let money be the driving force of your life," Henri chimed in. "Donating some of your money, if possible, to a cause you believe in," Carly replied. "Making a plan to pay back your student loans," Mrs. Shay added. "Not getting into credit card debt and trying to pay off the entire balance each month to avoid interest," Mr. Benson chimed in. "Thinking long term by setting up a savings account," Emily answered. "Good," I agreed with my friends. "Now, what are some ways to stretch my dollar?" "Cutting out and cutting back on costly habits and limiting music and app downloads," Henri replied. "Using free public transportation and going to free local events," James pointed out. "Comparison shopping online to find the best deals and shopping the sales rack or at thrift shops," Sarah suggested. "Borrowing books and DVDs from the local library and reading your favorite magazines at the local library," Mr. Benson replied. "Using your student account if you have one and buying generic," Mrs. Shay pointed out. "Limiting eating out and saving even more money by cooking your own meals," Carly suggested. "Drinking less since cutting back on alcohol can save money," Emily suggested. "I like using online discounters such as Living Social or Groupon," I pointed out. Then, we did an activity on budgeting, where we first guessed how much rent would cost for living in certain areas, such as Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Highland Park, Polish Hill, and Regent Square. "It cost a lot of money for me to get my hair curled at the local salon," Sarah told me, "and for me to French braid your hair and paint your nails. It cost me almost the same as my manicure and pedicure." "I remember," I agreed. "But, it was still fun, though!" "I had to save money for going to a certain summer camp when I was 15," Carly pointed out. We budgeted amounts for our areas, including rent, utilities, our cellphones and the phone, the Internet and TV, groceries, dining out, toiletries, transportation, entertainment, and other things, like Sarah's new hairstyle, Sarah's manicure and pedicure, and Carly's summer camp. We were going over our budgets to see if our salary was enough, thinking of additional ways to earn income, like helping out at an event, doing our neighbors' yard work, pet sitting and walking animals, and having a yard sale, thinking of things we like to buy that are non-essential items, like games and magazines, and how much we could save by not buying the items, and thinking of other ways to reduce costs, such as getting a roommate, riding a bike or taking the bus, waiting to purchase large items, using the library or coffee shop instead of purchasing the Internet, and shopping at the thrift store. Pretty soon, it was time for me and Emily to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"