Would RCO look into having an updated or new way for external personnel to send documents through a secure email? The secure email system that we use has been criticized by both PSWs and Agencies for being difficult to navigate or not attaching documents to outgoing emails. The system does not inform people why their documents are not attaching if they do not attach either, so they cannot fix it if they wanted to. It would be super helpful to have a drop box of sorts on our website. Where people can choose the brokerage, enter their email, write a message, place their files in a "drop box" of sorts, and send the email, at which point it would be sent securely via an easier method.

The gas situation in Salem has not been addressed to staff since the last email on Dec 9. Offices are freezing even though space heaters were taken away several weeks ago. No communication has happened to let anyone know what is going on. Originally, we were told that the gas could occasionally smell when the furnace cycles on and off. Every time the heat kicks on, the gas smell occurs which is not just occasionally. If we truly have nothing to be afraid of, I would think we should at least be given some form of communication letting us know. The times we have reported it seem to be met with laughter or anger. At the very least RCO management should make staff feel like they can bring up any issues at work.

I am wondering if there is a plan to address the heating system/gas smell that occurs. When the gas smell occurs, it has caused people to feel sick, queasy, and have a headache. I know that for awhile the heating system was down and staff were provided space heaters. Is it possible that this can happen again while RCO figures out what is causing the gas smell as it has been quite cold in certain parts of the office, even with a blanket, and inhaling the gas smell isn't good. I have appreciated that when the gas smell gets bad everyone has been told that they can WFH, but am hoping that we can get the heat working correctly or be provided the ability to have something to keep everyone warm.

On our website, on the PSW tab (https://www.rcoregon.org/psws), it refers to "Workman’s Compensation" under #3. Can this please be updated to state "workers' compensation" and remove the outdated workman's? Thanks!

On our website, on the PSW tab (https://www.rcoregon.org/psws), it refers to "Workman’s Compensation" under #3. Can this please be updated to state "workers' compensation" and remove the outdated workman's? Thanks!

I think RCO should get better swag. How about a survey asking staff what they would like and actually be given the chance to order and purchase swag. It would be best to offer staff headphones or earbuds when they first start to allow them to complete trainings without interrupting others. If given the chance to suggest some swag ideas it would include a cardigan, a padfollio, and things that we can use while at work. Often staff aren't aware of some accomodations that could be provided to a staff who experiences distractions or sensitivity to loud noise or lights. If there were examples of accomodations available it might make people feel more comfortable asking. It is vital to productivity and comfort to have an office where you aren't freezing or sweating. What could rco offer to their employees to ensure they are comfortable whether they are too cold or hot?

While I do realize it is not realistic given the work that's been done to the current office, I would encourage admin to consider moving the Salem office location. Our office space alone has some issues with being able to have confidential conversations due to the layout of spaces and the windows/thin walls. In addition, it feels like we do not have enough conference room spaces (even when Herrin is available) for meetings with our clients. The biggest concern is the external setting of our office space. The homelessness/opioid crisis going on literally right in our parking lot is highly concerning. It has gotten to the point where I do not even feel safe arriving or leaving the building on my own. It is not an ideal location for our customers, many of them walk to our office and are having to interact with these individuals. On top of that, our lobby spaces and conference rooms are not well accessible to individuals with mobility challenges.

With the rise in opioid overdose, it would be great if RCO offices could have Narcan on-hand and staff trained on how to administer.

I think RCO should by the area behind our Salem office that was once a bank drive through lane. We could fence one end of it off and take the fence down at the back of our parking area. This would increase our parking (which sometimes is cramped especially with as many staff as we have now, and have the added benefit of decreasing the homeless foot traffice we have now. The current owner of the fomer Wells Fargo building is not using it and might be glad to unload it.

Ever since we took away the paper schedules on the conference room doors in Salem, we have been having issues with people taking rooms that are booked. I have had to nicely ask people to leave the rooms when it is booked, and it is awkward and feels unprofessional. I think that some kind of system similar to what we had would be helpful to help avoid issues.

During lunch, we only have 30 minutes and many PAs who all need to heat up their meals, that does not give much time, if any, for the last half of the microwave users to get back to their desks and eat. Is it possible to get a second microwave for us to use? It would be super cool and helpful!

Anabel brought up RCO cardigans and I thought that would be super cool because, while I appreciate my vest from the staff day... I don't really wear vests and a cardigan is much more my style!

I would like to suggest we have the opportunity to work 4 10's., this would allow for late night meetings, flexibility for both staff and customers and away to avoid burn out.

I would like to propose that we end the work from home option. RCO's goal and mission is to serve our customers to the best of our ability, then it seems all RCO staff should be in the office and available. COVID and the PHE has been over for quite a while at this point. Employees should not be scheduling work around their personal life but the other way around. There are days when there is not a PA in sight and leads or office team have to assist customers or PSW's with signing documents, which should not be the case. I think RCO staff are taking advantage of the working from home, and we should be restricting it to only allow it under necessary circumstances.

Could RCO consider observing Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Can we please add a non-binary option to provider profiles in BOD? There is currently male, female, and undisclosed. Non-binary would be great and most inclusive.

I believe the doors being open can do more harm than good when it comes to flu season/COVID precautions. Not only does it make it difficult to have HIPPA sensitive conversations with customers, but it also causes trouble when others are having conversations nearby. If we are discussing germs, would it not spread more with a door open and possibly get more people sick? With the air filters constantly going, daily sanitizing, and masks being used when needed, it seems like the doors are open more so for eavesdropping than for the health of the staff.

I would like to suggest that RCO honor Juneteenth as a paid holiday like other entities in the state now do, especially since it is now recognized as a federal holiday. As RCO works to strengthen its commitment to DEI practices, this would be a meaningful approach to honor and reflect on the reason this holiday exists.

Good morning, I would like to suggest a deeper dive into the whole texting issue. I don't recall seeing anything specific to texting on the transmittal for the ending of the PHE, though it is possible I just missed it. I do know that every agency/provider that I have spoken with since then about it says that they are still using texting to communicate with customers. I have many customers who are struggling and frustrated by the inability to use texting to communicate with me as this is their preferred form of communication. It has made it very difficult to get a hold of some of them as they will not respond to other forms of communication. Some are very uncomfortable and/or frustrated by receiving random phone calls and most do not use email. It doesn't feel very person-centered to ask what their preference is and then tell them they are unable to utilize that. Perhaps we could have a liability form that they sign to give permission? Our clients are able to give consent for us to discuss their case and send documents to others, why are they not able to consent to this? I also agree with the other person who posted on the thread about working from home. Other agencies are working from home full-time, and it has been proven to be possible as well as more productive for some individuals. The outlook that you must be at a specific place to provide good service is old-fashioned and outdated. I personally feel it should be at the staff's discretion unless there is a specific need for them to be in the office. As stated by the previous poster, it is pretty rare for customers to just randomly stop in, at least that has been my experience as well. I know there is also a concern about having enough people in the office in the event that the OfficeTeam is out sick or on vacation but maybe we could just agree to be willing to come in if that situation should occur. I would be willing to receive a phone call asking me to come in if there were not enough people to cover the door and phones. I think we have a great team and any of us would be willing to step up if needed. I do agree that we need a new office with a more functional set up and flow but don't feel that we need a much larger one if people were allowed to work from home more. It seems like a large open office might also be intimidating to some of our customers. Perhaps we could find something around the same size or slightly larger with a set up that works well for us, allow staff to work from home more and then utilize the saved funds to increase wages, add more perks and/or have more employee events/activities. Thank you for providing a platform to voice our opinions and thoughts. I hope that they will be taken into consideration. I believe that valuing and implementing the needs, input and suggestions of your employees is how you retain them long term. It speaks highly of RCO management wanting to involve everyone in the structure of and decisions about the company. I think everyone here at RCO is invested/dedicated to making the company a supportive, accommodating, happy place to work and ensuring that our customers have the support they need. I hope to be part of this team for many years to come.

Good afternoon, I have a suggestion for personal agents work schedules. It was proven effective and conducive during the state of emergency with the pandemic that the job of a personal agent could be completed in a work from home capacity. I would say the vast majority of the time, customers schedule ahead of time to meet and drop-ins are extremely rare. The office can be distracting with it being so small. There is minimal privacy or it's so quiet it can be uncomfortable to talk on the phone. It would be nice for people, if they choose, to be able to work in office and then have a few spaces for drop in. I know that for me, I'm much more productive within my area. I can set the energy ie; candles, sensory input etc. In the office we don't really do anything as a team and we mostly send emails for questions or conversations. Other brokerages work from home as well and have the ability to come in if needed for printing, meetings etc. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me and the rest of the team. It truly means a lot and makes us feel valued and heard.

Have a cool background