It’s not just how people hide their deepest, darkest secrets. Keeping a journal or diary is a great way to help you record and track your progress toward your goals. A journal can also look any way you need it to: a traditional notebook, a series of videos, a calendar, or even just a bunch of Post-It notes.

Don’t know where to start? Try with some of these ideas:

• express your thoughts and feelings about your self-improvement journey;
• track your daily, weekly, and monthly progress toward your goals;
• see which changes you’re making are working and which aren’t; and,
• reflect on how the changes you’re making each day are impacting your life.

Journaling can directly support your Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual, and Occupational wellbeing.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center and the American Psychological Association, journaling on a daily basis can help you:

• improve memory
• manage anxiety
• boost self-esteem
• reduce stress
• strengthen communication skills
• cope with depression

Here are some resources to help you get started:

How to Keep a Journal

Tiny Ray of Sunshine: Keeping a Bullet Journal

Benefits of Keeping a Video Diary

University of Rochester Medical Center

Penzu – Free Private Journaling Website and App

We hope everyone enjoyed the new Decked Out December activities this holiday season. From cookie swaps to office-wide decorations, we had some awesome participation in the Friday festivities. Here’s a recap of some of our favorite contributions.

Decorate Your Space

Cookie Swap

Ugly Sweater Contest

Every year as fall turns to winter, charity organizations all across the country plead for donations to support those in need in our communities. These requests are especially great during December, when struggling families cannot afford to give their children the holiday gifts they wish they could. In response to these needs, our company employees participate in some wonderful programs to support these families and give those children a truly memorable holiday.

Our Michigan branch office, for example, is an official dropoff location for the Grand Rapids chapter of Toys for Tots. The employees there set up their shower stall to fill it with toys every year. This year was a massive success, as employees and community members collected over 200 toys for children in the Toys for Tots program.

At the Corporate office in Lewisberry, PA, our annual Angel Tree program wrapped up just in time for the holidays, making the wishes of many local children come true. Through this program, families in need provide their children’s holiday wish lists. Employees choose as many lists as they would like and buy and wrap the toys those children are hoping for. Here’s a look at just how many presents our corporate employees put together this year.

Whether you gave or received this year, we hope that you all had a lovely holiday season.

We are happy to welcome these outstanding new employees to the Bath Fitter, Kitchen Saver, National Refacing Systems, and Homespire family! We hope you find fulfilling and long-lasting careers with us.

Due to the New Year’s Day holiday on Monday, January 1^st, we will be on a very tight payroll schedule over the next two weeks.

In order to meet the required deadlines with our payroll processor, we will need to adjust the schedule for submitting payroll items to the following.

Regional Admins:  All timecards must be approved no later than SUNDAY MIDNIGHT, 12/31 or sooner.

OE Managers:  All timecards must be approved no later than SUNDAY MIDNIGHT, 12/31 or sooner.

Install Managers:  All non-installer timecards must be approved no later than SUNDAY MIDNIGHT, 12/31 or sooner.

All Managers:  All timecards must be approved no later than SUNDAY MIDNIGHT, 12/31 or sooner.

Per HR: The deadline for new hires entered into PAN will also be moved up by one day. All new hires for the first pay period of the year must be entered no later than 4:00PM WEDNESDAY, 12/27 or sooner.

As usual, please email PayrollDept@bathsaver.com when completed.

EVERYONE MUST ADHERE TO THIS SCHEDULE!
PLEASE NO EXCEPTIONS!

We will do our best to get everything in for payroll.  Anything missed will be adjusted on the next payroll.

This adjusted schedule has worked in the past due to everyone’s cooperation.  We are glad to know that we can count on all of you to help this payroll processing go as smoothly as in the past.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at PayrollDept@bathsaver.com.

Thank you,

Payroll Department

WINTERIZE VEHICLES BEFORE YOU GET ON THE ROAD

Check the battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, headlights, hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, tire pressure and tread, and oil level early in the season. Keep your gas tank full as often as possible.

PLAN AHEAD

Choose the safest routes and times of day and allow plenty of time for travel, as trip times can increase due to winter weather. Always have an alternate route in case of bad traffic or sudden storms. Consider leaving earlier than usual in case of delays.

CHECK AREA WEATHER CONDITIONS

Before you get on the road, check the upcoming weather conditions by visiting the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov. Have a local radio station available to hear updated forecasts during your trip. 

USE CAUTION WHEN DRIVING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES

Elevated roadways, such as bridges, ramps, overpasses, and shaded areas, are the first to freeze in cold weather. Exercise caution, take it slow, and when possible, use an alternate route to avoid potentially hazardous roads.

REDUCE SPEED AND INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCES

In winter weather, a vehicle needs three times more space to stop on slick roadways. Visibility may be reduced due to weather conditions. Exercise patience while on the road avoid causing an accident.

BUCKLE UP

Always wear seat belts and make sure all of your passengers are buckled up before getting on the road. It’s not just safe, it’s the law.

STAY IN THE VEHICLE IF YOU ARE STRANDED OR STALLED

Always carry a charged cell phone to call for help and notify authorities of your location. Set flares around your vehicle to warn other drivers to steer clear.

HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT

The National Weather Service and www.ready.gov recommend keeping an emergency winter supply kit in your car. Your emergency kit should include: a charged cell phone, charger, and extra battery; battery-operated or hand-crank radio; jumper cables; spare tire; flares; blankets or sleeping bags; and flashlight with extra batteries.

I would like to thank the following outstanding employees. It prides me to know that your passion and dedication to your crafts and to our companies has such a positive impact on our customers. You are what makes our companies so great and successful.

~Marty

Hugh Dalton, Dana Wunderlich, and Michael Smith: Office 76

“We had an excellent service from out salesman, Hugh, to our tech, Dana, to our installer, Michael. They were very professional, informative, and helpful. Michael did such a great job, it looks better than we could have imagined. He is a hard worker and a pleasure to talk to. He genuinely cared about our satisfaction with his work. He is a great asset to your company!”

Kelvin Musick and Jason Fite: Office 480

“Kelvin convinced us of the quality of the product and worked with us for a few changes prior to install. Jason the installer explained what he was doing, answered any questions throughout the four days. Very amicable and pleasant and he’s an excellent carpenter. Really pleased with his expertise and work ethic.”

Timothy Burkett, Andrew Hood, David King, and David Fisher: Office 710

“This was a very professional process from start to finish. The initial meetings with Tim were clear and to the point. This was a major factor in choosing Homespire. Both Andrew and the installers Dave and Dave knew what they were doing. I am very pleased and happy with the finished results.”

Paul Myers, Joe Coyne, and Ron Uliano: Office 55

“Paul was very detailed when explaining about the liner and tub! He was patient with our questions [and] answered them quickly. Joe was very sweet when he came to measure. Very good at explaining what he had to do. Ron was awesome! He was amazing, putting the tub and liner in [and] went over every step! We loved them!”

Yigal Yaron and Jon Dalton: Office 430

“It was very good. Everything was explained in great detail. The sales rep was not pushy, he let us decide what we wanted. The installer Jon was great, he explained everything so we knew he knew what he was doing.”

Mike Tymash III and Tom Salvati: Office 60

“Every person on the Bath Fitter team that we had contact with was very helpful and courteous. Mike did an excellent job of explaining and showing us Bath Fitter products. We appreciated his follow up call to see if we were satisfied with the installation. Tom did a great job installing our new tub and wall. We are very satisfied with Bath Fitter’s product and workmanship. Thank you.”

Dustin Stuhre: Office 410

“Dustin was very polite and informative. He was very detail-oriented. He did an excellent job. We are so pleased with Dustin’s work ethic, his friendly personality. He did a GREAT job! We LOVE our kitchen!”

Lakeisha Thompson: Office 71

“All of your personnel were outstanding! We were very impressed. I called the Laurel office a few times and talked to Keisha. She took care of everything for me. She gets an A+ from me.”

On Thursday, December 7th, members of our Marketing Team met with representatives of the American Cancer Society (ACS) at their local chapter headquarters in Hummelstown, PA, along with representatives from three local news stations, to present the non-profit with a special donation. For the second year in a row, our companies pledged to donate a portion of our October sales revenue to the ACS in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the results this year were astounding.

The $52,238 donation was the largest single donation our companies have ever raised, and was over $7,500 more than we donated in 2016. This money will go toward the support services offered to local cancer patients by the local ACS chapter – financial support for treatments, car rides to appointments, overnight accommodations, etc. – as well as toward cancer research.

We simply could not have done this without the hard work of our employees and the dedication of our customers. Thank you all so much for making this possible.