Intec Communications, LLC
APRIL 8TH, 2016
Chris's Corner
It’s been a while since we issued our last Newsletter, too long, and it feels good to be back! I’ve lost my editor, so any grammar mistakes are mine, I have no one to blame them on, that doesn’t mean I won’t try. Let’s get to it.
Spring is here and everyone knows what that means, Summer is right around the corner. Over the winter a laundry list of tasks have built up that we as a company have to address and quickly, we just don’t have time in the summer, it is just too busy. Let’s call it a little Spring cleaning.
if you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn-Irish Proverb.
Open enrollment into our benefits package has begun! As an employee you have many benefits available to you, take advantage. 1st and most important is Health insurance, 2nd is 401K, and beginning May 1st 2016 you will have access to Dental and Vision coverage! Read the materials!
I want to remind all employees April is the only time of the year you can join or change your coverage without a qualifying event, those changes are effective May 1. All employees will be signing a new election coverage or exclusion form this month. This will happen every year, even though we are staying with our current provider, United Health Care. This includes the new Dental and Vision coverage. If you don’t have coverage, please elect to be covered. It’s the law to have health insurance, not our law, our governments law, whether we like it or not. The penalties are getting harsher each year for every citizen of the USA not covered. If you’ve already done your taxes, I’m sure you already are aware of the costs, penalties go up again this year if you or your dependents are not covered. And, it will provide piece of mind for you and your family.
... the greatest part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. Martha Washington 1731
As far as benefits go, the most underutilized one is the 401K program we offer. It is managed by Paychex. It allows you to start saving for retirement, pre-tax. I know most of the staff working for Intec does not have retirement on the mind, but you should and it will eventually happen, the earlier you start preparing for it the better off you and your family will be. Who wants to work forever?
E-mail- Every employee has been issued an Intec email account. Use it. That is how our communication is distributed. All technicians have been issued an iPad with everything you need to do your job and to keep updated on all new policies and procedures, and to communicate with everyone within the organization.
Occasionally our needs and our client’s needs match perfectly. In one area that is currently the case is time and location tracking. Tech ETA usage in Comcast markets by all of our technicians is a new Metric we are to be 100% in compliance with by the end of April (the exact date varies by market). We, as a company, are required to track every minute each employee is “on the clock”. This takes active participation from all employees. Every employee needs to clock in and out when they are and are not working throughout the day. Our software (eCRT) can be used directly from your iPad (desktop or laptop for office employees) to clock in and out and to accurately capture your time. Notify local management immediately if there is a question, incorrect documentation, or you forgot to clock in or out for a specific time period.
Punctuality is the Soul of Business. – Thomas C. Haliburton
Don’t forget to use all of your login’s each day you work, eCTR, BPID, TechNet, ACSR, AMDOCS, QA.NET, FICIS, EIS, Server Credentials, ERone, WFX, Tech Nucleus, E-mail, and all of the others I may have forgotten. Not all employees use all of these, but if you do, log-in. Do not let your log-in’s and passwords lapse.
And to close, everyone should have our REFERRAL APP on at least one of their Mobile devices, and it is preloaded on all iPads issued. We have an EXTRA bonus currently running in all markets. The program is a permanent ongoing incentive for all employee’s up to and including Supervisors. Give a friend, relative, or acquaintance a career opportunity that puts extra money in your pocket! Ask your Director or Manager for details, you should already have them. Or ask me, anytime.
Until next time, I appreciate each and every one of you and stay safe.
Chris Matatall,
Chief Operations Officer
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.- Emerson
TAXES
The regular tax return filing deadline is April 15. However, due to the Washington D.C. Emancipation Day holiday being observed on April 15 instead of April 16, 2016, Tax Day is on the following Monday.
Have you registered for Intec's Training website?
Once your account is setup and approved, you will have access to tons of useful information; X1 Troubleshooting Tool, Remote Codes, Set-Top Boxes, Modems, Routers, Wiring Diagrams, Charts and Much More!
Follow the link: http://www.intectraining.net/
Improve your knowledge and further your career today taking advantage of all of the resources this site has to offer.
LOCK, TAKE, HIDE!
It's sad to say that burglaries do happen, but you can always prevent it!!
Make sure when you park your car no matter where you are, you always lock your car, take your keys, and hide your belongings.
SAFETY 1st!
How Close Is TOO close?!
If the car in front of you stops suddenly, you need to be far enough behind it so that you cant stop in time to avoid a collision. But how far is that? Your safe following distance depends on how fast you are going and what the road conditions are. The two-second rule is a convenient way to figure your safe following distance at a various speeds without having to do calculations with numbers.
The Two-Second Rule
The Two-Second Rule says that your following distance should be at least two seconds travel time behind the vehicle in front you. Measure your following distance this way: Choose a landmark such as a telephone pole or tree that the vehicle in front of you has not yet passed. When the vehicle's rear bumper passes that landmark, start counting seconds: "one thousand and one, one thousand and two." If you reach the landmark before you finish counting, your are following too closely.
The Two-Second Plus Rule
Two seconds is the minimum following distance you should maintain. It applies to daytime driving in good weather conditions and at speeds less than 40 miles per hour. Use the Two-Second Plus Rule when traveling at higher speeds, when visibility is low, or when weather or road conditions are less than ideal.
Under the Two-Second Plus Rule, you should maintain a following distance of two seconds plus additional seconds for each additional driving condition.
If several conditions apply, add up the extra seconds for all of them. For instance, if you are driving behind a motorcycle in the fog, add two seconds for a total of four seconds following distance.
Practice Often
Use the Two-Second Rule and the Two-Second Plus Rule to check your following distance from time to time when your are on he road. By doing this, you will learn to automatically maintain a safe following distance in all conditions.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Direct Deposit is the way to go. No waiting in lines, all your money stays in your pocket because you don’t have to pay those silly check cashing fees, no waiting on the “payroll package” to arrive at your local office.
Please see your Supervisor or Manager for more details and sign up today.
-From your Payroll Specialist, Theresa Cook-
IMPORTANT HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
It’s now Open Enrollment for the 2016/2017 insurance year! We will be holding Open enrollment for this month, with benefits beginning on 5/1. Big news! We now offer Dental and Vision insurance. You may choose one, two or all three insurance plans! The new enrollment form was sent out on 4/4/16. If you did not receive this email or you would like more information please email health@inteccommunications.net or speak to your supervisor. The deadline for enrollment forms will be 4/15/16.
Get Plugged In
Have a question on a policy? Suggestion on how to improve an aspect of our business?
Please email any questions, suggestions,or concerns to: info@inteccommunications.net