work-life

In advance of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, CMF and SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, are continuing our workplace training programs with a series focused on improving “life in Congress” and the well-being of congressional staff. Coming up are sessions on Personal Safety & Preparedness (April 28) and Preventing Burnout: Using the Science of Stress & Energy Management to Reset and Recover (May 5). These webinars are open to ALL congressional staff AND interns.

Today marks three months since the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Just as a scab was beginning to form over that painful scar, the congressional community was again thrown into a lockdown by an armed threat bringing back all the terrible memories. You may feel that nothing will ever be back to “normal.” Trauma takes a long time to heal, and everyone heals differently. But there are many outside groups that want to help congressional staff recover and, in time, thrive.

Join CMF and SHRM on Wednesday, April 7, for a webinar featuring former Rep. Brian Baird, a clinical psychologist, who will offer strategies for managers and staff to manage their emotions and response to trauma and stress related to the pandemic and the January 6 attacks. Watch the recording >>

Working remotely does not have to mean working alone. Wherever you are at 3 pm (Eastern) on Friday afternoon, relax in front of the laptop and join your colleagues, the Congressional Management Foundation, and some other friends of Hill staffers for a casual, lightly-programmed virtual staff happy hour. This week's topic of conversation: Managing a Congressional Office Remotely During a Crisis.