You’ve Been Warned; Your Employees May Have ‘The Flakes’

It’s unfortunate, but this winter many of us at BLR® have them, even though you don’t catch them from coworkers. And they can keep workers from coming into the office. They are “the flakes,” and your employees may have them, too. But don’t get out your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or infectious disease policies; just review your telecommuting policy!

Boston’s WBUR 90.9’s “Cognoscenti” Janna Malamud Smith, a psychotherapist, is warning that the brutal winter is having an increasingly negative effect on people. In her blog, “Snow Got You Down? You Might Have ‘The Flakes,’” she lists over 30 symptoms of this condition that people are exhibiting after weeks of frozen precipitation and subfreezing temperatures. Among our favorites are:

• You want to pull the covers over your head until April;
• Your sole goal outside is not to fall;
• You feel like an oversized guinea pig in a tiny cage;
• You have decided the white stuff is filthy Styrofoam that will NEVER melt;
• You can’t stop eating things you never usually eat–like melted peanut butter and cheddar cheese;
• You think people should appreciate you JUST for getting dressed and pulling on the three pairs of socks you’ve taken to wearing;
• You are getting nothing done; and [HR take note]
• You feel everyone should understand if you just decide to stop showing up.

With our offices located in the Boston area, Connecticut, and–shockingly–outside of Nashville all experiencing prolonged nasty weather, we will be vigilant for any of these symptoms to appear. Luckily, our BLR T.E.A.M. members (Together Employee Appreciation Matters!) are keeping our spirits up when the thermometer readings are down.