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The lowdown on gynecological health [Infographic]

2021-04-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – More than ever, there is a wealth of information available on gynecological health right at a woman’s fingertips — specifically on social media feeds. From questionable at-home remedies to conflicting information on feminine hygiene and care — sometimes it’s hard to know what the right self-care routine to follow is to feel good and maintain optimal vaginal health.

Here are some key facts and statistics about common vaginal health issues, how they can make us feel and what we can do to stay healthy.

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Giving the gift of connection [Infographic]

2021-04-30T07:01:00

(BPT) – Connecting with others is essential to our health and well-being. Whether you’re looking for the perfect present or simply want to brighten someone’s day, you can’t go wrong with the gift of connection. From sentimental gestures to tech gadgets, these ideas can help you decide what to give. Commit to Connect with friends and family — and help them to stay engaged with you and others.

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A healthy balance: How to make the hybrid office better for you

2021-04-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – Hybrid work environments, combining remote and in-person work, are here to stay because the hybrid office offers flexibility that benefits employees and organizations without detracting from productivity. But with those benefits, there have been challenges. Remote workers have struggled with setting boundaries, building and deepening team relationships, and getting the easy access to resources they need to do their job. How should workers adjust to this remote model? After a year of accelerated experimenting due to the pandemic, there are clear steps employees can take to ensure this new hybrid model of work is successful. A few important considerations can help you limit your work stress and approach your job with a healthy body and mind.

Be part of company culture

As wonderful as remote work can be, there’s simply no substitute for in-office bonding, whether it’s around the coffee machine or on lunch break. A hybrid work environment necessitates the creation of a different kind of company culture, one that treats remote work as part of the new normal. Schedule virtual coffee breaks and lunches with coworkers; if you’re overwhelmed with screen fatigue, start an activity like a book club or a health challenge that gets you (and your colleagues) away from the computer. If shared activities like an online cooking class or scavenger hunts aren’t already happening, suggest similar activities to your HR team. It’s possible to create social connection even through Zoom and across miles — it just takes a shift in perspective and some creativity.

Be intentional about balance

Whether you have a dedicated office space, or your kitchen table does double duty as your desk, creating a healthy work/life balance has become much harder when there’s no physical distinction. The new workday often means getting emails, Slack messages, or Zoom invites well before your day starts or long after it’s ended. Whether you’re working from anywhere every day, or just a few days a week, set boundaries. Block time for breaks away from your screen and for exercise; eat healthy and avoid the all-too-tempting pantry of snacks; develop a habit of scheduling meetings within everyone’s workday; and, with the occasional exception, decline meetings that fall outside of yours. Because discipline around boundaries can be difficult to maintain, think about using some of the popular apps created to help you.

Advocate for the technology you need to do your job

While innovation has made hybrid work possible, certain tools elevate the experience. Three key considerations should drive an organization’s technology decisions for those logging in from anywhere. First, go with solutions based in the cloud. The old model of software that has to be downloaded on an employee’s desktop computer or on servers tucked away in a company closet doesn’t meet the performance or innovation demands of modern business. Second, security is a top priority. Securing devices with antivirus and keeping work devices separate from personal use are just two best practices, and IT teams should distribute security policy to help educate employees. Lastly, the employee tech experience has to be a great one. A directory service like JumpCloud allows employees to access any resource they might need using a single log-in, offering top-notch behind-the-scenes security so workers can focus on what matters — making work happen.

While the contours of the post-pandemic world are beginning to take shape, those preparing for the permanent presence of a hybrid workforce will be ahead of the game.

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Seven Small Business Tax Questions from Female Entrepreneurs

2021-04-29T09:31:00

(BPT) – Like many small business owners, you may view spending time on financial tasks — like doing your taxes — as a time-consuming chore that’ll take your focus away from your core business. Or perhaps you have so many questions, you just don’t know where to start. If so, you’re not alone.

Recently, H&R Block’s Chief Tax Officer, Kathy Pickering, spoke to a group of female entrepreneurs about small business finances and taxes as part of the Brit+Co Selfmade virtual start-up school for aspiring and fledgling female business owners. The questions from participants showed various comfort levels with different topics, from start-up to stimulus focused. Kathy’s answers helped those owners and may give you the confidence you need to get back to doing what you love.

If you have questions about your own specific situation, Block Advisors small business certified tax pros are always available to help you with your small business needs.

1. When setting up your company, are legal or other administrative fees deductible?

Starting a business can be costly, but you can deduct up to $5,000 of your start-up costs and up to $5,000 of your organizational costs as business expenses in the first year. Business expenses that qualify could include professional and legal fees, market research, marketing and advertising, employee recruiting and training, equipment and supplies, and more. You’ll want to keep accurate records and receipts so you can show proof of these expenses when it’s time to file your taxes.

2. How early do you need to form your business entity when starting your small business?

Generally, you should register your business as early as possible to have a definite separation between yourself and your business. Your business structure influences everything from your day-to-day operations to your taxes and personal liability. If you start a business by yourself but don’t form a business entity, you will likely be considered a sole proprietorship, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Also, check your state’s rules about licensing or other requirements to operate a business in the state.

3. What home office expenses can small business owners write off if operating out of their home?

If you use part of your home exclusively and regularly for trade or business purposes, it may qualify for the home office deduction. “Regular use” usually means that the location is your main place of business. “Exclusive use” means that there can be no personal use of the space. If you plan on deducting actual expenses, keep detailed records of all the business expenses you plan on deducting, like receipts for equipment purchases, utility bills and repairs.

4. What are the tax implications of receiving a PPP loan?

Historically, if you received a business loan and it was forgiven, it was still considered taxable income, but PPP loans don’t follow the same rule. Money received from your forgiven PPP loan will not be included in your gross income at the federal level — therefore won’t be taxed — but states might treat it as taxable income, so you’ll want to check on your state’s treatment of these funds.

In addition, recent legislation gives small business owners the option to deduct business expenses paid with forgiven PPP loans and other COVID-related loans and grants. This creates a second layer of tax benefits: your forgiven PPP loan is income tax free, AND you can claim business deductions on your expenses paid.

5. If you didn’t receive stimulus aid (such as a PPP loan or EIDL loan), are there other stimulus-related tax benefits for small business owners this year?

Yes, including a tax credit for keeping employees on your payroll and changes to paid sick leave benefits. The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit designed to help small business owners with fewer than 500 employees keep employees on your payroll, even if you’ve stopped doing business or your finances took a significant hit from the pandemic. Unlike business loans, you don’t apply for the ERC — it’s a credit on your business’ payroll tax returns.

There were also changes to paid sick leave benefits. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act originally required employers to keep paying employees forced to miss work due to COVID-19, but offered a tax credit to help cover the cost. The December and March stimulus bills extended the refundable tax credit through the third quarter of 2021.

Another significant tax benefit allows small businesses to file an amended tax return for 2018 and/or 2019 if your business losses were limited for those years. You can also carry back NOLs (net operating losses) from 2018, 2019 and 2020 to the five previous years. That means that if your business made money in the last five years, you can now reduce those prior years’ profits with this year’s loss and get money back for the taxes you previously paid.

6. What happens if I can’t afford to pay the taxes I owe?

Don’t panic, but don’t ignore the issue. Even if you can’t afford to pay your taxes right now, you should still file your taxes by the deadline. If you file your business tax return and can’t pay (or if your business still owes taxes from a past return), you do have options.

First, make sure the taxes you owe are accurate. It may help to hire a tax professional to look at your return to make sure you are filing correctly, and that you’re not missing out on any of the credits and deductions available to you. If you don’t file your tax return or make a payment arrangement with the IRS, they can eventually force you to pay. The IRS can file a lien that would harm your credit, and they can levy your bank accounts and income sources, such as payments from customers.

Depending on your circumstances, the IRS offers payment options ranging from short extensions for businesses that just need a little more time to pay, to online payment agreements.

7. What are other benefits of having a tax advisor like Block Advisors?

Most small business owners start their business to pursue a passion, not to crunch numbers. Having a trusted tax advisor in your corner means you’ll have more time to focus on what you love. Working with someone who understands small business can also help you save money at tax time, make tax prep less stressful and provide help and guidance if you get audited.

Working with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro also means having someone put a financial lens on your small business — and can help you get every credit and deduction you deserve. This includes a free P&L review and we can also help to better manage cash flow with our quarterly care reminders and payment services, providing guidance on how estimated tax payments and tracking expenses and income could impact your end-of-year tax return and overall profitability.

Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com.

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How to Build the Business of Your Dreams

2021-04-29T11:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

In the last year, more than 2.3 million women have left the workforce, bringing their labor participation rate to levels not seen in over three decades, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

Seeing unemployment rates skyrocket and mental health hit record lows, Brit + Co co-founders Brit Morin and Anjelika Temple created Selfmade, a 10-week virtual startup school for women to help start or grow their own business.

To help drive educational change, founding Selfmade sponsor Office Depot is enabling sponsorships for women to attend the course for free, focusing on women of color, women from underserved and underrepresented communities and in need of support to help them trailblaze.

“Office Depot’s commitment to empowering education, championing entrepreneurship, and strengthening local communities makes the company a natural fit to team up with Brit + Co for this innovative and empowering virtual startup course to help female entrepreneurs start and grow their business,” said Morin.

Hear from some of the Selfmade alumni and advice they have for female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting their own business:

Justine Pon, The Ponnery

Lesson #1: Define Your Own Success

Everyone has their own definition of success — maybe your goal is to sell your product in a mass retailer or you just want to make enough to cover a short vacation. It’s just important that you stay true to why you are starting your business and what you want to do with it. It also really helps to build friendships with other small business owners because community is so important. I’ve learned so much from people who I met in Selfmade who have been in business longer than I have and it’s really awesome to support and learn from each other.

Camille Newman, Pop Up Plus

Lesson #2: Don’t Wait

I started my business while still in the industry but I kept thinking I needed MORE experience and MORE this, that — it was an excuse to procrastinate out of fear. Start small. If you want to bake and package cookies, look into your packaging for a month, what will that look like? I think the myth of entrepreneurship surrounding these tech founders launching million-dollar brands can be damaging. That’s not the norm. It’s really the exception. So just get started as soon as you can to test the product and to begin to learn because you really only learn through experience.

Sruti Bharat, Future Map

Lesson #3: Test & Learn

Don’t be paralyzed by some perfect vision. I know I have this vision of what I want my company to be but when I focus on what I can do right now, this week, I can probably do something. That helped me unlock a lot of insecurity. I thought of entrepreneurs as people who dropped out of school to work on their ventures full time, but I have financial needs and responsibilities and that isn’t realistic for me. But if you legitimately prioritize your business as a side hustle, it can be the source of so much creativity and future opportunity.

Tracey-Renee Hubbard, Scotchbonnet

Lesson #4: Find Your Niche

One of the things that surprises people the most about my earrings is how lightweight and easy to wear they are and figuring out how to communicate that and connect to people online is challenging. I stopped looking at what is trending and sticking to what gets traction with my brand. I have focused on styling and really defining my brand. I put a lot of thought into curating an aesthetic so people recognize my brand. I also use hand-drawn illustrations and have worked them into my website in a way that is fun and on brand.

Koyun Fan, Sticky Rice Sisters

Lesson #5: Learn as You Go

You will never be 100 percent ready so just start now and learn and improve as you go. You will make mistakes, things won’t go as planned, you might not have customers to start, but you will learn. If you keep waiting for the “right moment,” or wait until “you’re ready,” you have already lost time that you could’ve used to learn on the job or make mistakes. In the beginning, not a lot of people will know you, so it doesn’t matter what you do — you can try anything you want and figure out what works and doesn’t. As you start to have more customers and followers, you will start to get better and they will help you, encourage you, and support you.

Take Your Business to the Next Level

Whether you are in the start, grow or ‘keep business going’ phase, Office Depot has a full suite of business solutions to help enable entrepreneurs and businesses of any size to accomplish more.

For more information on Selfmade, and to nominate yourself or someone you know for a scholarship, click here.

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Another Lesson Learned during COVID: Expertise Accessed Differently

2021-04-29T12:51:00

(BPT) – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to embrace flexibility in navigating daily life. Over the last year, consumers have adjusted their habits to follow safety precautions. People adopted or established a new reliance on apps and digital services for restaurant and grocery deliveries, fitness tracking, and connecting with friends and family. And they learned to lean on professionals with online mental health and healthcare appointments.

That same approach for connecting to expertise digitally, instead of the traditional in-person experience, now applies to filing your taxes. Now you can work with an H&R Block tax professional but skip the office visit. Consumers have access to expert tax help from anywhere, in the same way they might now access telehealth, virtual workout classes, or any other virtual expert service — live or on their own schedule.

Taxes can be confusing, especially this year. An H&R Block survey found that 56% of Americans have more tax questions than last year due to the pandemic. Between COVID changing our lives and the tax law changes from the past year, you need to get it right when you file your taxes.

“Many things have changed in the past year, but H&R Block is still here to help,” said Karen Orosco, senior vice president of U.S. retail for H&R Block. “You can work with our tax experts through new technology and tools, tap into our expertise from anywhere and get every credit and deduction you deserve.”

Expertise delivered through a digital experience

H&R Block offers the myBlock app as a solution to get tax expertise at your fingertips. You can upload documents, set appointments, message, and even video chat with a tax pro. You can also get updates on your tax return, connect with a tax pro year-round, explore mobile banking and plan for next year.

Even with H&R Block’s do-it-yourself online filing, you get access to all the tax expertise you might need. In addition to being guided through the process with the online software, you can access H&R Block Online Assist to get unlimited, on-demand chat sessions with tax experts. You can get direct assistance from a tax pro via screen share and on-demand chat. This is especially important in a year when a new source of income, like a 1099-G for unemployment, or a withdrawal from a 401(k), could create questions for even the most confident DIY filer.

“We have so many ways to help, and we put tools in place to make working with a tax pro easy and convenient,” Orosco said. “At the same time, clients have more access than ever to our tax pros so they can get their questions answered, taxes filed and feel confident.”

Don’t leave money, or stimulus payments, on the table

H&R Block tax pros always help people claim every credit and deduction they deserve, and this year that includes any possible unclaimed stimulus payments when filing a 2020 tax return. For those who did not receive a stimulus payment, believe they did not receive their full stimulus payment amount, or had life changes, such as the birth of a baby, a Recovery Rebate Credit can be claimed when their 2020 taxes are filed this year.

For the record number of people who received unemployment income last year, a recent tax law change makes up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits nontaxable income in 2020, if your household income is less than $150,000. If you already filed your 2020 taxes and it included unemployment income, there is no need to file an amended return, in most cases. In May, the IRS will begin calculating and issuing refunds for overpayments. However, because everyone’s situation will be unique, this benefit may make some people eligible for additional credits or deductions, including the Earned Income Credit. Working with a tax professional will help you know what actions you might need to take, in order to evaluate if you are newly eligible for a credit or to understand if your state tax return(s) will be impacted.

To get started on your taxes today, visit hrblock.com.

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6 Tips for a Stress-Free Pool Opening

2021-04-27T13:56:26

(BPT) – Longer days, warmer temperatures, backyard fun … summer is almost here! And, yes, there might be a lot on your home or yard to-do list in anticipation of the season, but don’t get overwhelmed — take the guesswork out of opening your pool. As you begin to prep for summertime fun, follow these simple pool opening tips and hacks to stay confident about the process so you can spend more time enjoying the water.

1. Use a Sump Pump to Remove Excess Water on the Cover

If you have a winter cover or safety cover, chances are a fair amount of water and debris has built up on the cover during the off-season. To ease removal, use a sump pump to drain the water off the cover before moving it. Pro tip: Before folding up the cover, save time and money by sprinkling on Alkalinity Up or talcum powder to prevent mold and mildew from growing on the cover. Loosely fold the cover and store it in a cool, dry place like a basement, garage or storage shed.

2. Reconnect and Prep Equipment

Reconnect the equipment you disconnected before the winter season. “This usually includes the pool filter, pump, heater, automatic pool cleaner, in-line chlorinators and anything else connected to your filtration system,” says Tracy Dick of Leslie’s Pool Supplies. “For above ground pools, reconnect the flexible plumbing lines to the pool equipment and skimmer.” Pro tip: When connecting equipment, lubricate all o-rings, seals and hardware with a silicone lubricant. This will keep the equipment working properly all year, and will make it easier to disassemble them when you close your pool (saving you time!).

3. Say Goodbye to Metal Stains

“Over a long winter off-season, metals like copper and iron can build up in the pool and cause stains,” says Dick. “These metals can be difficult to remove once they’ve begun staining the walls, so it’s best to attack them early, saving you a potential headache down the road.” One initial dose of METALfree during spring opening can help neutralize the metals in your pool and prevent further staining on the walls and pool floor.” METALfree also helps eliminate “stained water” that comes from having high metal content.

4. Stay Smart about Water Chemistry

Safe and healthy water is critical. Test your water chemistry before adding any chemicals so you know exactly what’s needed and how much chemical to add. The easiest way to test your water is with a FREE AccuBlue® Water Test at any Leslie’s location. If you want to test your water quickly at home, use test strips or a test kit. Pro tip: Here’s a helpful guide for standard chlorine pool water levels:

  • Total Alkalinity (TA): 80 to 120 ppm
  • pH: 7.4 to 7.6
  • Free Available Chlorine (FAC): 2.0 to 4.0 ppm
  • Calcium Hardness (CH): 200 to 400 ppm
  • Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 30 to 50 ppm

5. Brush and Shock

Once you’re done brushing your pool, vacuum to reduce the strain on your filter. “Allow your filtration system to run overnight before shocking the pool the next day,” says Dick. “Shocking is the final step for getting rid of all the bacteria, algae spores and other organic contaminants.” Pro tip: Use two pounds of shock for every 10,000 gallons of water, which should raise your chlorine levels to 10.0 ppm. Depending on your pool, consider Leslie’s Power Powder Plus. After shocking the pool, run the circulation system for at least two hours before adding an algaecide.

6. Prevent Algae All Season Long

For a clean and algae-free swimming season, start treatment before the first swimmers even jump into the pool. After shocking your pool, add an algae control to prevent the growth and help keep your pool clean, clear and fresh all year long. The last step is to take a water sample into your nearest Leslie’s location for a FREE AccuBlue® Water Test and customized treatment plan. Once they give your pool the thumbs up, get ready for a summer of fun in the sun.

With more than 930 Leslie’s stores around the country, it’s easy to find everything you need to prepare for opening your pool this year. From service, equipment, chemicals and floats, Leslie’s has everything you need, so you can spend less time maintaining your pool and more time enjoying it.

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5 ways to treat Mom to a special Mother’s Day

2021-04-29T13:51:00

(BPT) – Mothers are always busy working hard for their families. Especially in the past year, being a mom has taken on new meaning. In addition to her normal role, she’s now an educator, a nurse, an IT specialist, a sanitation expert and much more. Because moms are working so hard, Mother’s Day offers the opportunity to give them a break and show how much she means to you.

This Mother’s Day, your family can go beyond the breakfast in bed to really make her feel special. Here are five ways to show Mom you care:

Convey gratitude

Make sure Mom knows how much you appreciate her by conveying your gratitude in a special way. This could be as simple as writing a heartfelt letter. Another option is making a gratitude jar, where everyone in the family can add a note to share why they are thankful for Mom. For fun Mother’s Day décor, these notes could be written on longer strips of paper and taped into circles to create a chain of gratitude. No matter what you choose, showing gratitude for all that Mom does is sure to make her feel appreciated on her special day.

Plan a friends’ night out

Research shows satisfying friendships are connected to mothers’ well-being and sense of self, so consider planning an evening when she can go out with the gals and enjoy some time away from the house. To celebrate mothers everywhere, this Mother’s Day DOVE® Chocolate is privately renting out select movie theaters across the country exclusively for Mom and her friends to enjoy a COVID-safe evening all her own. Tickets will become available on Tuesday, April 27 at 9 a.m. EST. Only one entrant per theater is eligible to register. Upon registration, the winner will receive the additional movie tickets to share with friends for the rented-out theater at the designated showtime on the evening of Mother’s Day on May 9. Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dove-chocolate-mothers-night-tickets-150646296127.

Do the dirty work

Want to lighten Mom’s load and make her smile? Household chores are time consuming, and even though they should be evenly split by the family, the bulk of these often land on mothers’ to-do lists. While she’s out with friends, bust out the cleaning supplies. Pick up clutter, organize toys, do the dishes, dust and wipe down windows. If there is a chore she particularly despises, show you care by getting it done. When she comes home to a clean house, she’ll be surprised and delighted.

Give flower bouquet alternatives

A bouquet of fresh flowers is a timeless gift for Mom, but you can surprise her with an interesting twist on a classic. Flowers made out of fabric or wood are trending because they are unique, customizable and never wilt, and can be displayed proudly as part of her home décor. If you have kids, you can create these on your own. Get colorful cardstock to trace their hands and cut out to create flowers you can adhere to craft sticks. If you prefer live flowers, you can give her long-lasting blooms by opting for a potted plant instead of a cut bouquet. This allows her to enjoy the blooms indoors or replant outdoors, depending on the variety.

Surprise her with sweet treats

Many moms’ selflessness is unparalleled, so consider giving yours something as sweet as she is. Delicious chocolate, like new rich and creamy DOVE® Deeper Dark Chocolate (70% cacao) and Deepest Dark Chocolate (82% cacao) PROMISES®, are a Mother’s Day treat moms can savor now or save for later. Each silky-smooth dark chocolate comes with a special message inside the wrapper, plus they come in a resealable bag for lasting freshness.

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6 facts women need to know about giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021-04-29T09:01:00

(BPT) – Giving birth is stressful enough. Adding a pandemic to the mix has only increased anxiety among today’s moms-to-be. While it’s true that aspects of labor and delivery may look different than they did prior to COVID-19, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) says the goal remains the same — to ensure the health and safety of mom and baby.

“Laboring moms don’t need more worries and should be comforted to know that the hospital is a very safe place to have a baby now,” said ASA President Beverly K. Philip, M.D., FACA, FASA. “The obstetricians, midwives, physician anesthesiologists, nurses and other health care providers who care for women in labor have been vaccinated and follow other precautions to ensure safety, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).”

ASA wants to help prepare pregnant women for giving birth during the pandemic by noting six things that have changed.

  1. Getting the vaccine protects baby – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine, citing new research that it is safe. The good news is not only does the vaccine protect you, it protects your baby, who will receive antibodies from you. Talk to your health care provider about whether the vaccine is right for you.
  2. Testing is routine – Everyone who is admitted to a hospital today, regardless of vaccine status, is tested for COVID-19, including mothers in labor. If you are scheduled for a cesarean delivery, you’ll be tested two to three days before your procedure. Hospitals also will screen your labor support partner or person for signs of COVID-19. If you test positive, your providers will wear extra PPE and physician anesthesiologists — experts in airway control and critical care — will be closely involved in your care because COVID-19 can cause breathing issues.
  3. Everyone wears a mask – Hospitals require everyone who is admitted or visiting to wear a mask. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads through the air and women who are in labor usually breathe heavily during contractions, you’ll need to wear a mask while your health care providers are in the room with you, as will anyone who accompanies you for support.
  4. Cheering sections are smaller – Currently most hospitals will allow only one or two support people in the room with the laboring mom. If you test positive for COVID-19, safety protocols mean you will not be able to bring anyone in the room with you. Further, many hospitals allow only one visitor in the waiting room, if that. But be comforted to know that while providers have always been available to help with breathing or provide an encouraging word or extra support, they are making additional efforts to be even more available to provide the support you need, especially if you have COVID-19. For example, they can arrange a live video chat (such as FaceTime) with your support person.
  5. Less time in the hospital – After delivery, most new moms leave the hospital sooner than they might have before the pandemic: one day (vs. two days) after a vaginal birth and two or three days (vs. three or four) after a cesarean delivery. But your providers will follow up with you after your release to monitor your pain and answer questions. Led by physician anesthesiologists, the Enhanced Recovery after Cesarean protocol helps women recover more quickly after the procedure. The elements of the protocol include providing patient education prior to delivery, recommending limited fasting and increased intake of carbohydrates before the procedure, managing pain during and after labor and delivery with little or no use of opioids, promoting breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding, and getting women up and moving as quickly and safely as possible.
  6. Telehealth appointments can help you connect – Telemedicine can help women whose pregnancies are high-risk be seen regularly before they are in labor. After you give birth, it also can connect you with your providers, such as your physician anesthesiologist, who can recommend pain management.

Rest assured that some things haven’t changed during the pandemic. Health care providers such as physician anesthesiologists will be by your side during your time of need, including providing access to various options for pain management during labor such as epidurals, the most common type of pain relief used during labor. However, currently some hospitals may not provide inhaled nitrous oxide, which does not relieve pain but can reduce anxiety during labor, due to concerns about the risk of spreading the virus.

No matter the circumstances, having a baby is a joyful occasion. Changes in labor and delivery protocols during COVID-19 ensure it’s a safe experience, as well.

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The hospitality industry is hiring: Here’s what to look for when job searching

2021-04-29T08:01:00

(BPT) – As vacation destinations reopen across the country and the busy summer travel season approaches, the hospitality industry is poised for significant growth. According to the latest jobs report, there were 280,000 new hires in the leisure and hospitality industry in March alone. Many experts expect this momentum to continue to grow as travelers resume their typical vacation habits.

Whether you have experience in the hospitality field or not, heightened demand could mean big opportunities for job seekers. This is especially true for people interested in working in the vacation rental industry. According to a recent Skift Research survey of vacation rental users, 52% of guests plan to stay in a vacation rental more often in a post-pandemic environment.

“To meet growing demand, we’re hiring for seasonal and full-time positions in top vacation destinations from the Carolina beaches to New England and the Oregon Coast,” said Aurora Moore, a talent acquisition manager at Vacasa, the leading vacation rental management platform in North America. “Vacation rentals have rebounded quicker than any other segment of the travel industry, and we’re in a position to offer good jobs and competitive pay to people who have lost work or had their hours reduced during the pandemic.”

The current need for employees — and seasonal hiring incentives — is great news for people on the job hunt. If the hospitality industry sounds like a good fit for you, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re searching and applying for new job opportunities:

Apply now: Hiring is hot right now and will continue into peak travel months as necessary. To find the ideal job for your schedule and skill set, explore opportunities early before others scoop them up, as hiring is happening fast.

Ask about bonuses: With demand for hospitality staffing so high, some companies are offering incentives if you accept a job offer and stay in the role for a certain amount of time. For example, Vacasa is offering up to $500 hiring bonuses in select markets.

Consider safety: While safety protocols are common for guests, it’s important companies are taking additional steps to keep hospitality employees safe as well. Make sure you ask about and are comfortable with current COVID protocols.

Know application necessities: Some companies will require an official resume while others may have a simplified application process. For example, candidates can simply text “Vacasa” to 97211 to start their application process.

Explore job fairs: Look at different companies’ career pages and social media sites to learn about job fairs. Whether in person or virtual, these events provide the opportunity to meet with companies about multiple positions at once.

Know your availability: Know when you’ll be able to start, what hours you can work and if you want a seasonal position or would prefer permanent employment. Look for companies that offer the flexibility to meet your needs.

Research training: The hospitality industry is ideal for entry-level roles and for those who want to build their skills. To ensure you’re successful, ask about a company’s training program during the interview process.

Factor in growth opportunity: Your “right now” job could turn into the right opportunity with advancement to grow. Ask about career paths and opportunities for moving up in the organization.

Check your gut: If you feel like the company you’re applying for is reputable and betters the community where it is located, you can feel good about working hard for them and supporting their mission.

“We’re looking for dedicated, reliable and passionate team members who want to grow their careers in hospitality,” said Moore. “You can start at an entry-level position and, with hard work and team-first mentality, there’s no limit to the long-term opportunity. It’s a fun industry and an exciting time to be a part of it.”