833-275-6947 | askmyhr@partners.org
System-wide call center for all things Human Resources and benefits-related. Often a good place to start!

• AskMyHR Portal

833-275-6947 | askmyhr@partners.org

• Information on Mass General Brigham Benefits

Occupational Health Service (OHS) is Mass General Brigham employee benefit that provides health care that focuses on the prevention and treatment of health conditions related to work, and ensures that individuals are healthy and safe to perform their job activities. They also coordinate wellness activity offerings to promote health, wellbeing and productivity.

• Mass General Brigham Occupational Health Services – Information and Contact

• Parental Leave
  – Ask my HR phone: 833-275-6947
  – Email:  askmyhr@partners.org
  – Leave of Absence – Dashboard – Leave of Absence (service-now.com)

MGB Safety Offerings 

• MGB Armed Intruder/Active Shooter Course and HealthStream Offerings

Video presentation of various Armed Intruder/Active Shooter situations including scenes which show you what to do if there is an Active shooter in your area. This information will help you survive. MGH course: MGH Armed Intruder/Active Shooter

• MGB AVADE (HealthStream course code – MGBE AVADE® Workplace Violence Prevention) provides a comprehensive, current, and effective approach to preventing, avoiding, de-escalating, and mitigating violence and aggression
  – It can help you become safety-aware with a vigilant mindset, understand body language communication and de-escalation, and teach you defense techniques for yourself and other.
  – Although this is a workplace training, many of the concepts are transferable to any environment

• Mass General Brigham maintains an Employee Alert System (EAS) that sends alerts in life-threatening situations such as an armed intruder. Instructions on how to ensure your cell phone is enrolled are available on The Pulse

MGH Police & Security Resource Guide 

Massachusetts General Hospital Police and Security Department offers services tailored to prevent and respond to workplace violence for the MGH community. The following guide provides workplace safety resources, education and information for anyone working in health care.

• MGH Police and Security – Guide to a Safe and Respectful Workplace – Healthcare Violence and Conflict Prevention Handbook

• MGB AVADE (HealthStream course code – MGBE AVADE® Workplace Violence Prevention) provides a comprehensive, current, and effective approach to preventing, avoiding, de-escalating, and mitigating violence and aggression
  – It can help you become safety-aware with a vigilant mindset, understand body language communication and de-escalation, and teach you defense techniques for yourself and other.
  – Although this is a workplace training, many of the concepts are transferable to any environment
• Crisis Prevention Institute – De-escalation Tips
• The Joint Commission – De-escalation in Health Care
• Trauma Informed Care
  Engaging in Trauma Informed Care can help in both prevention and de-escalation of violence in the workplace. Many Mass General Brigham departments already use this method of care, which can result in greater compassion for patients and increased safety for staff.

• Mass General Brigham Supports for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Crying
• Anger and resentment
• Feeling on edge or jumpy
• Feeling disorganized or distracted
• Experiencing upsetting memories
• Having intrusive thoughts
• Denial
• Experiencing physical reactions (headaches, heart palpitations, stomach issues)

All of these feelings and reactions are normal and natural responses especially if there is repetitive name calling/use of profanity or cumulative experience of these events. If you have ever been a victim of trauma, it may be more difficult for you to cope with verbal assaults. We are all individuals and react and respond in our own ways.

• If a situation is escalating or you feel overwhelmed or in need of some assistance, bring in a manager or supervisor to help you respond in the moment or afterwards. Your department may be able to offer training or guidance for how best to handle difficult patients or visitors
• Share the incident with your co-workers, friends or family members if it is helpful for you to talk about the event.
• Try to maintain your usual activities and coping mechanisms (exercise, mindfulness, healthy eating) after your shift and on your days off.
• Recurring thoughts about a verbal barrage directed towards you are normal and it may take 10-14 days for the intensity of the thoughts to diminish. Seek help if the feelings become prolonged or you have concerns about the impact on you.
• The EAP is available to help and support you in response to verbal assaults in the workplace.

• AMJMed – Discriminatory and Sexually Inappropriate Remarks from Patients and their Challenge to Professionalism

• Support for those Experiencing Grief in Relation to Work

Mass General Brigham EAP

Recognize when you need help. If emotions feel overwhelming and too intense, if you have trouble focusing at work, if you can’t sleep or if you feel anxiety that is not improving, then consider getting assistance. The EAP is available to you as a free and confidential resource.  If you want to talk, have questions, want information or consultation now or in the future feel free to call 866-724-4327 for assistance.

• Understanding Burnout in Healthcare
• Mass General Brigham Wellness Programs
• RUOK? – Helping a Co-worker or Friend

Building Your Coping Skills

The EAP created a booklet filled with tools to manage these stressful times. View or download the Building Your Coping Skills Booklet.

The following apps and programs are free to Mass General Brigham employees during the Pandemic.

Foundations

Foundations (previously called Evermind) is for people feeling more acutely stressed, anxious, and depressed who would like to learn how to handle stress. The app applies techniques used cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Access Foundations here.

Headspace

Headspace is an application that can be used on your phone with meditation and guided relaxation. Access Headspace: here. (Link is not supported in Internet Explorer: suggested browsers include Chrome, Firefox and Safari).

Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT)

iCBT offers self-paced and self-directed CBT through clinically created online modules. iCBT is provided by Mass General Brigham to help employees and family members with depression and anxiety. Access iCBT*: Employees need initial screening/referral from an EAP clinician to sign up – contact the EAP at: 866-724-4327. *Some Mass General Brigham primary care providers also refer to iCBT.

 Success with Stress – Taking Care of You

EAP offers 10 minute on demand recordings demonstrating
a variety of relaxation techniques. Access seminars on EAP site here.

EAP Resiliency Sessions

Managers at Mass General Brigham entities and departments can call
866-724-4327 to request free EAP sessions/trainings for employees.

Compassion Fatigue

Sixty-minute session led by EAP clinicians, geared towards helping healthcare workers recover from feelings of exhaustion, frustration, anger and depression. Also helpful for employees experiencing Secondary Traumatic Stress – a negative feeling driven by fear and work-related trauma.

Re-imagining Stress

Sixty-minute webinar led by EAP clinicians, designed to help change mental attitudes about stress. Participants can learn how to change their body’s response to stress.

R U OK?

An EAP webinar (45-60 minutes) to help employees feel comfortable checking-in with colleagues to see how they are doing. Using the R U OK? Mental Health Awareness framework, this presentation will guide you through why, when and how to approach a colleague about whom you have concern, so that you feel equipped to respond. More information can be found on the EAP website here.

• How to handle Changes in the Workplace