The Costly Impact of Financial Stress

A problem that spans generations and income levels

Despite being gainfully employed, your employees are stressed — financially stressed — and that is taking a toll on their physical health. The number one cause of stress in America is money.

Everyone in your workforce — from millennials to boomers — is losing sleep over saving for retirement paying the bills or putting food on the table. And, unfortunately, it doesn’t matter whether the employee is sitting in a corner office, working in a cubicle or on the production line, financial stress doesn’t discriminate.

Experts have found that financial stress can cause acute-phase inflammation across all socioeconomic strata. A study published by the National Institute of Health found that there are significant correlations between financial stress, interpersonal stress, and psychological distress and well-being. All of which make their way into the work environment and impact the organization.

Poor financial health = poor health

Financial stress manifests itself in numerous physical conditions. In addition to mood disorders, financial stress contributes to migraine, cardiovascular disease, absences from work, insomnia, and more. If your employees are like the majority of the population, it’s likely that in addition to financial stressors, they are also experiencing everyday pressures and worry.

This combination, while not uncommon, is a huge health concern. We know that some stress is good; it can be motivating and invigorating. But, being in a perpetual state of unease and anxiety — like when a person is living paycheck to paycheck — increases the body’s cortisol levels and puts an individual at risk for: • Anxiety • Depression • Digestive problems • Headaches

• Heart disease

• Sleep problems • Weight gain • Memory and concentration impairment

You know the important role employee well-being plays in a productive business. Happy and healthy employees are more likely to be engaged and perform better than those who are dealing with personal issues while at work.

BE WELL WITH WELLMARK

Providing employees with a clear plan of action to improve financial well-being can have a positive ripple effect on other domains of well-being including emotional and physical.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is committed to supporting our groups and members and assisting you to create work environment that promotes healthy behaviors.

Through our employer consulting and well-being services, we look beyond your employees’ claims and provide a variety of evidence-based programs that address the six elements of well-being: financial, social, career, emotional, physical and community.

Contact your Wellmark representative or visit wellmark.com to learn more.

Cummins experts go above and beyond to ensure you’re moving forward. With over 3200 certified technicians and 24/7 emergency field support through locations all across North America, you can count on Cummins to keep you moving in a world that’s Always On.

Go to cummins.com to request service or to find a Cummins service center near you.

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#SouthDakotaTrucking

By The Trucker News Staff - June 9, 2020 - TA citizen drivers Professional truck drivers Jerry Seaman, left, and Herschel Evans have been selected as recipients of the 2020 Citizen Driver Award. (Courtesy: TravelCenters of America) WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America announced its seventh annual Citizen Driver Award winners today: Herschel Evans of Bremen, Georgia and Jerry Seaman of Huron, South Dakota. The travel center network created the award to recognize professional drivers who demonstrate traits that bring a high level of respect to the truck driving profession, including good citizenship, safety, health and wellness, community involvement and leadership. The winners were announced live on the Dave Nemo Radio Show on Sirius XM 146- Road Dog Trucking Radio. As part of the honor, Citizen Driver Award winners may select a TA, Petro Stopping Center or TA Express location to be dedicated in their name, allowing their story to be continuously displayed for all travelers that pass through. In addition, TA makes a $2,500 donation to each winner’s charity of choice. “The goal of the Citizen Driver Program is to put a spotlight on some of the most extraordinary drivers today and illustrate the fine examples of professionalism embedded in the truck driving profession,” said Barry Richards, president of TA. “These drivers dedicate their lives to their career and we’re pleased to honor them and highlight their life-long commitment and sacrifices.” Details about Evans and Seaman are listed below.

Herschel Evans — Bremen, Georgia

Evans has a 32-year driving career and is currently employed by Holland, Inc. He has logged 3.1 million miles, all accident-free. He is a strong advocate for safety, evidenced by his volunteer work on numerous safety committees and boards. Evans has been interviewed by commercial and industry media for his expertise and input regarding safety regulations and is a well-known speaker and presenter on the topic within the industry. Evans received the 2018 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance International Driver Excellence Award. In 2013, he was selected as an American Trucking Association’s American’s Road Team Captain. In 2017, he was presented with the Mark Russell Trucking Image Award for representing the industry through his role as an America’s Road Team Captain. Evans is also a trainer for Holland and ensures that all new hires begin their career with a solid driving foundation and a strong priority on safety. Evans has devoted countless hours to Convoy of Care. For the past 33 years, he has been involved with Atlanta Ride for Kids, a nationwide motorcycle charity ride that benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. In 2011, Evans took over an intercompany truck driving championship and turned it into the Safety Drive for a Cure benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Evans has chosen the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Safety Drive for a Cure as his charity to receive the $2,500 donation. The Petro in Atlanta, Georgia will soon be dedicated in his name. (Continued on page 19)

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Jerry Seaman - Huron, South Dakota

Jerry has a 48-year driving career and is currently employed by NTA Trucking, LTD. He has logged more than 5 million miles in his career, all accident-free. In 2010, Seaman was chosen as the NASTC Driver of the Year and as a member of their 2010 America’s Safe Driver Team. In 2011, Seaman began competing in the South Dakota Truck Driving championships. He received a first-place finish in the 5-axle van class, received Rookie of the Year, the Larry Thury award and was named Grand Champion. He also competed in the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships. Seaman is a dedicated Sunday school teacher, Sunday school director, worship leader and music director. He is devoted to working with the Special Olympics and has been involved with the South Dakota Convoy for Special Olympics since its inception in 2002. Seaman has worked this event every year since and has been an instrumental part of its growth and success. Seaman is a lifetime OOIDA member and a member of the Truck Historical Society. He has chosen the St. Christopher Trucker’s Relief Fund as his charity to receive the $2,500 donation from TA. The Vermillion, South Dakota TA Express will soon be dedicated in his name. More than 75 nominations for the Citizen Driver award were received this year, from fleet owners and executives, professional drivers, family members, trucking organization members and trucking industry suppliers. The following distinguished members of the trucking industry served as this year’s judges: David Cullen, Executive Editor of Heavy Duty Trucking; Eric Harley, On-Air Host of Red Eye Radio/Cumulus Media; Dave Nemo, On-Air Host, Road Dog Media/Dave Nemo Entertainment; Chris Spear, President & CEO of American Trucking Association (ATA); Todd Spencer, President, Owner Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA); and Ellen Voie, President & CEO of Women In Trucking TA launched the program in 2013 with the intention of recognizing the professional drivers who keep America moving. To date, 35 Citizen Drivers have been awarded with this prestigious honor. Information about the 2021 Citizen Driver nominations will be posted soon. For more information, visit ta-petro.com/citizen-driver.

DOT SERVICES • DOT Physicals • DOT and Non-DOT Drug Screening and Alcohol Testing • MRO Services • Injury Care (billed at South Dakota Work Comp Fee Schedule) • Third Party Administration • Employee Assistance Plan • Additional Occupational Health Services • Efficient, Friendly, Professional Services

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS The Avera Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers substance abuse evaluations for employees who test positive for drugs or alcohol, as regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Under DOT regulations, safety-sensitive employees (i.e., truck drivers, pilots and airline workers, transit workers, pipeline workers, etc.) are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests. When there is a positive test result, the DOT-regulated employee must seek the service of a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). 605-322-4069 Call 605-322-5100 to schedule an appointment.

2100 South Marion Road Sioux Falls, SD 57106