March 13, 2020 was the day most businesses in Michigan sent their staff home.

Michigan’s unemployment rate hit 24.0 in April of 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nationwide, unemployment rose by 4.8 million in June.

But for those who were fortunate enough to keep their jobs, they were told to work from home.

Many of us are still working from home.

With employees and managers now apart, trust & communication is crucial now more than ever.

According to medium.com, before the pandemic happened, 48% of businesses did not allow working from home.

Now that most of the America’s work force is working from home, we have learned to embrace the situation.

TEC Client Services Manager, Kristy says, “These last several months were a great learning experience that exposed what processes were working and what needed improvement.”

Employees and managers have had to take their communication skills to the next level.

“Communication is key just as it is in an in person setting. Whether using phone calls, text, Zoom or Teams it is important to communicate various tasks/projects, absences, breaks, etc.” Says TEC’s Nicole Goodman.

Our TEC Team has embraced this continued time away from the office and in our new private offices.

Kristy Stacy says, “I think the key is trust in the company and your teammates. We are very lucky to work for a company that truly cares and appreciates it’s employees and to work with co-workers that respect & care about each other.”

Meanwhile, not all managers have had a trustworthy time.

The Harvard Business Review conducted a study with more than 1200 people in 24 different countries.

That study found that nearly 40% of 215 supervisors & managers expressed low-self confidence in their ability to manage workers remotely.

23% of managers disagreed with Harvard Business Review’s statement, ‘I am confident I can manage a team of remote workers.’

COVID-19 has not only changed our personal lives, but it has also changed the way we conduct business.

Today’s focus is how we can avoid the spread of germs.

Ironically, according to Times Magazine, the stapled handshake was embedded in the patient-doctor relationship. Embedded to the point that handshakes between the two happened 83% of the time according to a 2007 analysis.

With that being said, The American Journal of Infection Control revealed that a handshake transfers nearly twice as many germs as a high five.

Now, the handshake is no more, at least for now.

Shaking someone’s hand was the first and last action during a business matter.

“I, myself, always believed the handshake would show me how strong a person is.”

TEC Group’s Social Media Specialist, Hannah says, “No one likes a weak handshake from a potential employee or a boss.”

Now that this world is waving goodbye to handshakes, others are thinking of what the new handshake will be.

We have one word: Bow.

“Personally, I never liked the handshake. Too much touching.” Says Recruiting Manager, Kyle. “The significance given to a handshake is man-made like any courtesy, we have the power to collectively change it and I think we should. I’ve always been interested in the much more reverent and hands-free bow, as exhibited in countries like Japan.”

With that, others show a spark of hope when it comes to a handshake comeback.

Tracy, Senior VP of Specialty Services says, “I think that it will take a while for the handshake to return, but it will eventually. For now, eye contact and a warm smile will have to suffice.”

But, we can’t be too confident while moving forward with the handshake. Samantha, TEC’s Safety/Benefits Coordinator says, “I think handshakes will need confirmation from the other person before you just go ahead and reach out your hand.”

1. Eyes on you: Make sure you are behind a blank wall. That will help limit distractions.
2. Be prepared: Just like any other interview, have your resume on-hand to reference along with any questions you may have.
3. Silence is golden: We no longer have the luxury of going into a conference room. Make sure you are in a quiet room in your home.
4. ‘Can you hear me now?’: We all remember the iconic Verizon Wireless commercial. Don’t be that person. Make sure you have good internet service.
5. Practice makes perfect: It might sound weird, but record yourself answering questions. This way you will see how you come across online versus in-person.

Working from home can be a big change. And it can take a toll on you!

TEC Group, Inc. is here to weaken the blow of being stuck at home with these helpful tips.

1. schedule chunks of time in the day for specific work tasks and schedule time to take a few breaks
2. Have a space in the house where your work things are and keep them organized
3. Keep a consistent schedule; Wake up at the same time. Eat breakfast, have your coffee, meditate
4. Create your own space – Try best to disconnect from household distractions
5. Communication is key – Call your teammates and stay involved
6. Plan for the next day – Now, more than ever, it’s most important to set daily goals and tasks
7. Take a real lunch break where you step away from your home office space/laptop, don’t just eat in-front of your computer
8. Try to get outside at some point in the day for some fresh air
9. Set daily goals for yourself to hit to stay on track
10. After work, try and spend as much time as possible outside working on the yard or walking your pets

Our TEC Jeep drivers went on their own Easter Egg hunt and found some fun creatures on their vehicles!

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You can submit your Jeep Easter Eggs at socialmedia@tec.biz!

As we take this time at home, many of us are looking back at happier memories.

For our team here at TEC, we have been thinking about one specific memory; The Polar Plunge 2020.

The Polar Plunge raises money for the Michigan Special Olympics.

The plunge is held across the nation, and across Michigan.

Four of our team members braved the frozen waters of Lake Fenton after going beyond our goal by raising $1,172.

TEC’s team went as the ‘AnarcTECs.’

We all hope to see this amazing event again next year!

Michiganders along with the rest of the nation is in this for the long haul.

And we are all feeling the emotional impact as days, weeks, even months go by.

We want to ensure that you have the resources you need from your healthcare provider to state & national help.

BSBC COVID-19 Resource Center

Michigan.gov-COVID-19 Resource Center

CDC – COVID-19 Resource Center

WHO – COVID-19 Resource Center

Recipe #1 – Crater Cake

Our team is making the best of the stay-at-home order.

They are cooking up some good eats!

Taylor Kelly with Client Services made Crater Cake with her dad!

Click the picture to find the recipe.

Recipe #2 – Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

By: Recruiter, Jackie Klida

What you need:

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup white sugar

Chocolate chips

1 egg

¼ cup melted butter

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 325

degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan

• Step 2:

Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and butter together in a bowl. Mix flour and baking soda together in a separate bowl; stir into banana mixture until batter is just mixed. Stir salt into batter. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

• Step 3:

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Recipe #3 – Baked salmon with dill sauce

By: Social Media Specialist, Hannah Wiegand

What you will need:

Filet of salmon

1/4 TBSP of butter

Chopped dill to your liking

Lemon pepper/Garlic/Salt

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 365 degrees
• Throw your butter in a sauce pan, bring it to a simmer, add your dill and squeezes half a lemon into the sauce pan
• Place your salmon filet in a baking pan
• Pour your sauce over your raw salmon
• Bake for 15-20 minutes

Enjoy!

Recipe #4 – Bakery-Style Chocolate Chunk Cookies

By: Payroll Accountant, Samantha Rutkowski

What you will need:

2 cups + 2 Tbsp flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp salt

1 ½ sticks melted, unsalted butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

6oz chocolate chunks for the batter, plus more for topping

Directions:

1. In medium-sized bowl, whisk together the baking soda, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the cooled, melted butter, the dark brown sugar, and the granulated sugar for about one minute. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
3. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix briefly. Fold in 6oz of chocolate chunks.
4. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
5. Remove the dough from the fridge and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put a piece of parchment paper onto a rimmed baking sheet. Roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place onto the baking sheet. There should be enough

room for up to 6 dough balls. Refrigerate leftover dough, or prepare another baking sheet to go in after the first sheet finishes baking.

6. Bake 10-14 minutes, rotating the sheet about halfway through.

7. Remove from the oven when cookies are very lightly browned on the top (they will still look gooey).As cookies are cooling, press additional chocolate chunks into the tops. Top with flaky salt.

Recipe #5 – Egg Fried Rice

By: Recruiter, Ashlee Stevenson

What you will need:

• 1 tsp + 1 Tbsp vegetable* oil
• 3 large eggs, whisked lightly
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 4 cups cooked and chilled rice (I use brown)
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Sliced green onion (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat a wok or large, deep skillet on high heat. Add 1 tsp vegetable oil.
2. Whisk in eggs and cook, stirring often, until eggs are set. Transfer to plate.
3. Add 1 Tbsp canola oil to the pan. Add onions and cook until translucent; about 2 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. Stir in garlic, then add frozen vegetables and cook until heated through. Season with a pinch of salt.
4. Create a hole in the middle of your vegetable mixture and add butter, then add cold rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Press mixture down into the pan to brown the rice – you will hear popping and sizzling, and that’s what you want – then stir and repeat a few times. It’s fine if the rice is chunky; it will break up a bit as it warms.
5. Return the egg to the pan and stir to heat through.
6. Remote from heat, then stir in 1-2 Tbsp of soy sauce. Use more or less based on your liking.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions; serve immediately.
8. Leftovers can be store in a tightly sealed container for up to three days.

You can substitute olive oil, however, it has a lower burning point than vegetable oil

Recipe credit of www.yellowblissroad.com

We are in an unpredictable time in our lives.

The worlds’ state is unprecedented, and rules are always changing.

The CARES Act (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act) was passed recently.

Click here to get a full breakdown of resources TEC has for you and what this means for you.

Posted is valuable information from Dependent Care to updates on Commuter Communications.

We are all hurting right now.

Michigan’s Stay-At-Home Order started on March 16th and has been extended until May 15th. By that time we will have been isolated for two months.

If you are struggling for food, shelter, or medical assistance, you are not alone.

TEC is teaming up with United Way’s 2-1-1 Program.

This program will provide services to six counties:

· Wayne County

· Oakland County

· Macomb County

· Washentaw County

· Monroe County

· Lapeer County

United Way’s 2-1-1 Program will connect you with parent & caregiver resources, child nutrition programs, and utility assistance.

If you need help finding the resources please call 2-1-1 or go to unitedwaysem.org/2-1-1 where you can live chat with a representative.

If you are having issues with the 2-1-1 number, you can also call 1-800-552-1183.

Remember, you are not alone. Call 2-1-1.