Ergonomics: Tips for Your Desk Workstation
March 25, 2022
Ergonomics Tips for Your Desk Workstation

If there was one benefit for some people during the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic it was that many employers were forced to embrace the concept of employees getting work done while they were confined at home. While it wasn’t ideal for most of us to do our work and our kids’ school from home, the re-opening of schools has made the home work environment just a little easier. We, here at Simco, have embraced the hybrid work model; we are free to work from home, but the office is open to anyone who wishes to use it and there are certain times when teams are requested to be in the office for collaboration which can be essential to a team’s cohesion and efficiency.


While many of us have embraced working from home, it may have taken some time to get a workstation set up; and perhaps you have inherited some bad habits such as working from your couch (or your bed) with the laptop open on your lap. While it may be tempting to change up the scenery, it’s a bad idea for more than one reason. First, it’s unprofessional, inefficient, and probably unproductive, but it’s also a very poor ergonomic decision as well.


Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs with the goal of increasing efficiency and productivity while simultaneously reducing discomfort and the likelihood of injury. If you are an office worker you were most likely set up with a proper desk and adjustable chair. Perhaps you were given a standing desk or other alternative workstation set up. You have a rest for proper placement of your wrists and elbows, your monitor height was adjusted accordingly, and you have plenty of space for your work materials. Many of these conveniences may be lacking from the home work environment. Especially in the beginning when you couldn’t even find a desk to buy.


Poor ergonomics leads to reduced efficiency and can lead to long-term health issues including injuries to muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. Musculoskeletal injuries can occur when you engage in repetitive movements or even because of poor posture. Neck, shoulder, back strains, eye strain, and the dreaded carpal tunnel are all results of poor ergonomics in partnership with repetitive motion. Here are some good posture tips to promote ergonomic health.


Chair

Your chair should be at a height that your feet rest comfortably on the floor with your knees approximately level with your hips, making sure that your seat is not pressing into the back of your knees.


Back Support

Your backbone should be straight, your shoulders back and your abdomen and buttocks pulled in, chin tucked. If your chair is preventing this try putting a cushion between the curve of your lower back and the back of the chair.


Desk

Your workspace surface should have space underneath for your legs and feet. If a surface is too low adjust the chair height accordingly. Your arms and wrists should be parallel to your legs at a 90-degree angle.


Computer Monitor

Your monitor should be 20-30 inches from your eyes. The top of your screen should be at eye level or below so that you have to look slightly down at your work. If glare is a problem, find a matte screen filter or turn off some or all of the overhead lights and close the blinds.


Eyes

When looking at your screen follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Take a longer break of at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours that you spend on your device. If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes an occasional break by wearing your glasses instead and get regular eye exams. During this eye strain break you should take a minute to readjust your posture so that you’re not frozen in one position for more than 20 minutes.


Headsets

Use a headset if you frequently talk on the phone and type or write at the same time. A crooked neck throws your whole spine out of alignment.


Wrists, Elbows and Arms

Wrists should be kept in a straight and natural position when using the keyboard with your upper arms close to your body . Do not use your wrist rest while typing. Use it to take occasional breaks from typing. Keep the mouse and the keyboard on the same level surface, position your arms so that your hands are aligned with, or slightly below, your elbows.


Layout

Organize files and materials so that you don’t have to bend or strain to reach them.

Whether you are working from home or in the office, a proper workstation is necessary to maintain your best workplace health. Taking the time to give yourself a break from working, staying hydrated with plenty of good old H2O and having good posture will go a long way towards preventing injury and strain when you’re spending a lot of time at a computer.

Feel free to use this workstation assessment checklist to make sure that all of your employees are in their best ergonomic position.

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How to Avoid Gaps in Coverage During Open Enrollment Season

September 23, 2025
Open Enrollment season is just around the corner, running from October 15 to December 7 for Medicare and November 1 to January 15 for Marketplace/individual health plans (NYSOH in New York) . This is the annual window when you can review, change, or enroll in health insurance and Medicare coverage. But with deadlines, plan changes, and fine print to consider, many people unintentionally leave themselves exposed to gaps in coverage: periods when they aren’t insured. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs, denied claims, and stress for you and your family. Here’s how to make sure your coverage is seamless heading into 2026. 1. Know Your Enrollment Dates Missing the open enrollment deadlines is the most common cause of coverage gaps. Mark your calendar for: Medicare Open Enrollment : October 15 – December 7, 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace (NYSOH in NY) : November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 Employer-Sponsored Benefits : Dates vary by employer Tip: Don’t wait until the last week. Plans can take time to process, and waiting until December may mean your new coverage isn’t active on January 1. 2. Review Any Notices From Your Current Plan Insurance companies often send letters in the fall about plan changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are discontinued, premiums may rise, or provider networks may shrink. If you ignore these notices, you could roll into a plan that doesn’t meet your needs, or worse, be left without coverage. Check your mail and email for plan notices and share them with a licensed agent if you need help understanding the changes. 3. Don’t Assume Last Year’s Plan Is Still Best Healthcare needs change year to year, and so do insurance options. Prescriptions, providers, or even your financial situation may mean another plan is a better fit. Sticking with last year’s plan without comparing options could result in higher costs or limited benefits. Make a list of your current doctors, prescriptions, and expected healthcare needs for 2026. Use this to compare plans carefully. 4. Watch for Coverage Overlaps or Lapses Switching from one plan to another? Be mindful of dates. Sometimes old coverage ends before new coverage begins, leaving a gap. Other times, both plans overlap, causing billing confusion. Confirm your effective date for the new policy. For most enrollments completed by December 7 (Medicare) or December 15 (Marketplace), coverage will start January 1. 5. Get Help From a Licensed Professional Navigating Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, or Marketplace health plans can feel overwhelming. Working with a licensed agent can help ensure your coverage aligns with your needs, and that you won’t face any surprises when you need care. Reach out to Simco’s licensed agents for one-on-one guidance. We’ll walk you through your options and help you avoid coverage gaps. Final Thoughts Avoiding gaps in coverage during open enrollment comes down to being proactive, reviewing your options, and enrolling on time. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself the peace of mind that you and your family will be covered heading into 2026. Simco’s licensed agents are here to help. Whether you’re reviewing Medicare plans, Marketplace options, or supplemental coverage, we’ll make sure you stay protected without interruption. Contact us today to schedule your coverage review before open enrollment begins.

The Hidden Costs of Fragmented Workforce Management Vendors

September 2, 2025
Many businesses rely on multiple vendors to manage critical functions such as HR, payroll/HCM, benefits, commercial insurance, and retirement plans. While outsourcing can provide specialized expertise in each area, using separate providers often creates hidden costs that can quietly undermine efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction. Here’s why integration matters, and how a consolidated approach can save time, reduce risk, and improve the employee experience. 1. Increased Administrative Burden When each service is managed by a separate vendor, administrative work multiplies. Employees and HR teams may spend extra hours logging into different systems to process payroll, submit benefits updates, or manage compliance tasks. Reconciling employee information across multiple portals and coordinating communications between vendors creates unnecessary complexity, which can distract your team from strategic priorities. 2. Higher Risk of Errors and Compliance Issues Fragmentation can increase the likelihood of costly mistakes. Payroll errors, mismanaged retirement contributions, and insurance coverage gaps often occur when systems do not communicate effectively. A single misalignment can have a ripple effect: Incorrect payroll deductions Late or missing retirement contributions Gaps in insurance coverage or compliance violations With multiple vendors, the risk of these errors and their consequences rises. 3. Limited Visibility and Reporting When each service lives in its own system, it’s hard to get a complete picture of your workforce. Without centralized reporting, many businesses struggle to: Analyze labor costs or benefits spending accurately Identify compliance gaps or coverage issues Track trends in employee engagement and retention Limited visibility makes it difficult to make informed decisions and optimize operations. 4. Compounded Costs Paying multiple vendors for separate services often results in more than just the sum of their fees. Each system typically comes with its own implementation, training, and subscription costs, which can quickly add up. In addition, internal administrative hours spent managing vendor relationships, reconciling conflicting data, or troubleshooting errors create a hidden expense that is often overlooked. Businesses may also face unexpected costs when trying to integrate or transfer data between disconnected platforms, or when compliance issues arise due to misaligned processes. Over time, these scattered costs compound, reducing overall efficiency and limiting resources that could be better spent on strategic growth initiatives. 5. Frustrated Employees The impact of fragmentation extends to employees. They may face confusion about where to access benefits or payroll information, experience delays in issue resolution, or encounter inconsistent communications. This frustration can lead to disengagement, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Businesses that integrate these functions provide a smoother, more cohesive experience for employees, resulting in higher satisfaction, better engagement, and a stronger workplace culture. Why Integration Matters Integrating HR, payroll/HCM, benefits, commercial insurance, and retirement services with a single partner simplifies operations, reduces errors, improves reporting, and enhances the employee experience. Businesses that consolidate services gain: Streamlined administrative processes and reduced duplication of effort Improved accuracy and compliance through connected systems Enhanced visibility into workforce metrics and financials Cost efficiencies by eliminating overlapping fees and redundant systems A more consistent, positive experience for employees By managing these services in a unified platform, your business can focus on growth instead of juggling multiple systems and vendors. Take the Next Step If your business is managing multiple vendors for HR, payroll, benefits, insurance, and retirement, it’s time to consider a more integrated approach. Streamlining these services with a single, high-touch partner like Simco can save time, reduce risk, and create a better experience for both your team and your employees.

Strategies for Supporting Employees During the School Year

August 25, 2025
As the 2025–26 school year gets underway, many employees are navigating the dual pressures of professional responsibilities and family life. For parents of school-aged children, this can mean adjusting to new routines, handling childcare logistics, and managing the emotional ups and downs that often accompany the start of the year. For employers, this season offers an opportunity to demonstrate support and strengthen employee loyalty. Below are nine strategies businesses can adopt to help their workforce balance work and family demands more effectively. Flexible Work Options Flexibility remains one of the most powerful ways to support working parents. Allowing employees to shift their schedules, such as starting earlier or later, or offering hybrid and remote work options helps parents handle school drop-offs, pickups, and unexpected schedule changes. For example, permitting an employee to work from home two mornings a week may relieve the stress of managing transportation while ensuring business needs are still met. When employees feel trusted to manage both work and family responsibilities, engagement and productivity rise. Back-to-School Support The transition into a new school year often involves extra expenses and planning. Employers can ease this burden by organizing back-to-school supply drives, offering stipends for educational expenses, or sharing curated lists of local resources like tutoring programs or after-school care. Some businesses even host “lunch and learn” sessions on topics such as family budgeting or time management during the school year. These gestures show employees that the company understands their life outside of work and wants to help them succeed in both areas. Prioritize Mental Well-Being Back-to-school season can be stressful for the whole family, with shifting routines, homework expectations, and social adjustments. Employers can proactively support mental health by promoting counseling services, stress management programs, or mindfulness workshops. Offering access to telehealth therapy sessions or creating quiet spaces in the office for breaks can make a tangible difference. Focusing on mental well-being helps employees feel cared for and creates a healthier, more resilient workforce overall. Paid Time Off for School Activities Balancing school commitments with work obligations can be difficult without supportive policies. By providing paid time off specifically for school-related events, such as parent-teacher conferences, school plays, or volunteering opportunities, employers can reduce the guilt or anxiety parents may feel about taking time away from work. Even a few hours of school-activity leave per semester can significantly boost morale and demonstrate the company’s commitment to work-life balance. Childcare Assistance Childcare remains one of the greatest stressors for working parents. Businesses can step in by offering childcare subsidies, backup childcare arrangements for emergencies, or partnerships with local providers to secure discounted rates. Employers with larger workforces may explore on-site childcare facilities or after-school program collaborations. Even simply sharing information about community resources and vetted childcare options can make a big difference for employees struggling to find reliable solutions. Open Communication Encouraging honest, ongoing conversations between managers and employees is essential. Managers should be trained to ask about potential school-year challenges, such as altered availability during drop-off hours or the need to leave for school events, without judgment. Creating a culture where employees feel safe discussing these needs allows managers to find practical solutions, like shifting deadlines or redistributing workloads, that benefit both the employee and the organization. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) EAPs are often underutilized, yet they can be invaluable during the school year. These programs typically offer access to counseling, parenting support, financial planning, and more. Employers should not only remind employees that these resources exist but also explain how they can be used during this time of year. For example, highlighting financial counseling services in September, when school-related expenses spike, makes the EAP more relevant and accessible. Family-Friendly Policies Workplace policies should reflect the realities of family life. Review scheduling practices to avoid early morning or late afternoon meetings when parents are often unavailable. Consider policies that allow parents to swap shifts or trade hours with coworkers. Involving employees in creating or revising family-friendly policies ensures the solutions are practical, widely supported, and foster an inclusive culture that values everyone’s needs. Recognition Matters Acknowledging the extra effort parents put in during the school year can have a lasting impact. Recognition doesn’t have to be large-scale, a personal thank-you note, a shout-out during a team meeting, or a small gift card can go a long way toward showing appreciation. Celebrating milestones, like surviving the first week back to school, helps parents feel seen and valued, reinforcing their commitment to the company. The Bottom Line Supporting employees during the school year goes beyond providing benefits; it’s about creating an empathetic, flexible, and responsive workplace culture. By adopting these strategies, businesses not only help their employees manage family responsibilities with confidence but also foster a more engaged, loyal, and productive workforce.

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