OCO Paid Leave Policy Supports Employee Health
Workers given paid leave for cancer screeningsAs one of Oswego County’s largest employers, leaders at Oswego County Opportunities realize the importance of a healthy workforce and expressing appreciation to their employees.
With that in mind, OCO recently announced a new policy that provides its full- and part-time employees with up to four hours of paid leave annually to undergo cancer screenings.
The policy is wide ranging and may be used for any form of cancer, including but not limited to breast, prostate, cervical, skin, colon, ovarian, bladder or lung cancer.
OCO is among the first to implement a paid leave policy for cancer screening in New York state and the first nonprofit agency to do so in Oswego County.
OCO Executive Director Diane Cooper-Currier and human resources director Cindy Seeber worked closely with the coordinator of OCO’s cancer services program, Carolyn Handville, to establish and implement the policy.
"We care about our employees and their health and felt it was important to offer them paid time off to obtain life-saving cancer screenings,” Cooper-Currier noted.
“OCO’s administration is well aware of the benefits of routine cancer screenings,” said Handville. “Regular tests such as imaging, biopsies, Pap smears, prostate screenings, mammograms, blood tests, and even surgical procedures for the purpose of detecting cancers are essential to maintain good health. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in New York state. Early detection can save lives as it finds cancer when treatment is more likely to be successful and in some instances before it even develops. Evidence indicates that when individuals are given time off for cancer screenings, they are more apt to do so.”
“The new paid leave policy is really a win-win. Preventive cancer screenings reduce health care costs, improve employee health, and reduce related business expenditures. The paid leave policy is an excellent example of the care and concern that OCO’s administration and board of directors have for its employees,” added Handville.
Oswego County Business Magazine
Issue 162
June/July 2019
Cover Story
- SRC’s Steady Growth
Fueled by a series of million dollar contracts with the federal government and an increase in global sales, North Syracuse nonprofit continues steady growth
Features
Special Report
- More Millennials Moving to Syracuse
- ADA Compliance Extending to Websites
- Syracuse New Times Betting on Paid Circulation
- The Vanishing Family Farms
- The Art of House Flipping
- Ready to Buy a New Home?
- Downward Dive
- OCC Shifts Gears
- CCC Looks to Remain Competitive
- The Graying of Central New York – and NYS
- How CNY Manufacturers Try to Get New Workers
- Novelis and Toyota: ‘Let’s Go Places’
- Pulaski Manufacturer Spreads Wings Westward
- Skill-Up Oswego County!
- Program to Bolster Workforce
- Pure Genius
Business Updates
Profiles
Mercedes Niess
On The Job
What’s the Best Advice to Give to a Young Entrepreneur?
Success Stories
The Medicine Place
My Turn
Casual Dressing Now Dominating Workplace
Newsmakers
News Briefs on Local Businesses & Business People
Economic Trends
The Impact of Manufacturing and Logistics/Distribution on Oswego County
Last Page
Peter Myles
