Bay Path University

Bay Pathway Spring/Summer 2021 6 T H E G E N I E I S O U T O F T H E B O T T L E Andrea Hill-Cataldo is the president of Johnson & Hill Staffing, and the outgoing chair of Bay Path's Advisory Council. For her impact and influence in the region, she was recognized by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty award winner and has been inducted into Bay Path's Women Business Leader Hall of Fame. For over 25 years, Andrea Hill-Cataldo has been the president of Johnson & Hill Staffing. As a businessperson, she is always planning for the worst-case scenario. Never in her wildest imagination would she have predicted a pandemic. "In the beginning, we did see some decrease, but slowly over the summer things picked up. Now, numbers are above pre-pandemic. This is a good time to be looking for a job." In her own company, her employees went fully remote. Cataldo-Hill has found what many employers have discovered: Her employees are incredibly productive. "With working remotely, the genie is out of the bottle. Employers are seeing cost savings with utility bills and a need for less real estate. Employees love the work-family balance. And, of course, the impact on the environment is a tremendous positive. There is no doubt that hybrid, at least, is here to stay. "Our temp employees have adjusted incredibly well. There has not been one single problem, and they have been very responsible with their work. Not one of our employer partners have complained. In fact, I just did a webinar about employee expectations: Their overwhelming request is for hybrid, and given the current job market, there is no doubt it is heading in that direction." When matching employers with potential employees, Johnson & Hill Staffing looks for a specific skill-set for remote workers: maturity, organization, and comfort with technology, particularly Zoom. They also ask if they have a quiet place to work. "Things are shifting in the work culture. Across generations, people want a work culture that aligns with their values. They need to believe they are doing meaningful work, and the organization they are working for has a strong social consciousness." M A K I N G T H E S P A C E W O R K F O R Y O U Dr. Kim Henrichon teaches in Bay Path's occupational therapy programs. Her background includes clinical practice and management in the community hospital settings, in addition to specialty practice in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. Working remotely gives you the power over your own office space. In general, traditional office spaces were designed to fit people into prescribed places, often with no thought of light, air, or movement. You worked in standardized layouts where the only personalization is your family or pet photo, and other reminders of your life "outside." With working remotely, you have the opportunity to create an environment conducive to the work you are doing. You can make the space work for you. You can make it flexible. "Your physical space is one of the most important elements of your work life. Two of the most important qualities for your workspace are simple: good light, and, if possible, fresh air. Studies have shown the natural light improves productivity and improves mood. Fresh air keeps you awake and stimulates your senses." The transition to working remotely, combined with incredible advances in technology, have shown the office set-up can be much simpler, such as a home office, kitchen, or den. Even a closet. Nevertheless, there are still best practices you can follow to have a comfortable workspace. "Your desk and sitting area need to fit your body. In general, whether you are sitting or standing, your joints should be in a neutral position. While working on a keyboard, your wrists should be straight and not cocked. Your back should be upright, and your shoulders relaxed and back, not hunched forward. When sitting, your hips and knees should follow a ninety-degree angle. And your feet should be able to flat on the floor." Occupational therapy is a holistic approach to healthcare that promotes your overall well-being and quality of life. Bottom line: Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. The key to successfully working remotely is variety. You have to get up and move around. Do some stretches. Movement should be a mandatory part of your remote work routine.

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