Dehydration may seem like a minor ailment, but it can be quite dangerous. In fact, most heat illnesses are caused by dehydration. Did you know that by the time a person is thirsty, he or she is already 2 to 3 percent dehydrated? Once this occurs, it’s difficult to make up for the lost hydration.

Get the Facts
In the simplest terms, dehydration occurs when you lose more water than you take in and your body does not have enough water to carry out its normal functions. What's more, even mild dehydration—as little as a 1 to 2 percent loss of body weight—can cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, and fatigue, and may have an adverse effect on long-term health.

Hacking and cybercrime are in the news daily, and everyone has likely been impacted by it in some way from the numerous high profile breaches of the companies that store our data. The increase of these threats has awakened us to the reality that we need a level of vigilance that offers better protection.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, data breaches increased 40 percent in 2016, with a total of 1,093 reported breaches. This trend continued in 2017, with over 1,120 cases reported by October. Ransomware was the most common threat. Global ransomware costs due to business productivity impact and mitigation are estimated to have exceeded $5 billion in 2017. An additional $2 billion was paid to hackers in ransom over that same time period.

Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions are at risk of heat-related illness, especially those doing heavy work tasks or using bulky or non-breathable protective clothing and equipment. Some workers might be at higher risk than others if they have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions, or if they have certain health conditions.

National Safety Month is observed annually in June with the primary focus on providing education on how people can reduce the leading causes of hazards and disasters that occur in their homes and communities. Because an emergency can happen any time of year, organizations such as the National Safety Council help individuals, families, and communities become more aware of the dangers that can occur around them. Emergencies and disasters are on the top of the list of those hazards that many are not always fully prepared for.

An attractive benefits program is vital for your recruiting and retention efforts, but it is also a significant expense. To ensure you are providing a package that is both competitive and economical, you need to know how your offerings compare to others in your industry. Benchmark data can provide valuable insight for evaluating your benefits package, including:

• Where your weaknesses are
• Where your strengths are and how to maintain them
• Which areas you can improve
• Strategies for improvement
• New or different ways to do things

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is recognized each year during the first full week of May to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment.

Workplace injuries are a significant risk for any business, and they can lead to costly medical bills, lost productivity, and increased insurance premiums.​

T​he 17th annual Molyneaux Trumps & Tricks Euchre fundraiser was once again a major success! This year the total raised was $19,678! The deserving beneficiaries of the 2017 event were Hand-in-Hand and the Scott County Family YMCA. This brings total contributions from Trumps and Tricks to over $254,000 for local Quad City charities! Without the participation and generous contributions of the players, our sponsors, and Molyneaux team, this event would not be so successful. 

We are already looking forward to our 18th year. The Scott County Family YMCA and Child Abuse Council will be the 2018 beneficiaries. If you are not already on our mailing list, please contact us at euchre@molyneaux.com so you receive an invitation and can join us in supporting these amazing charities.

Molyneaux Insurance has been awarded a 2017 Top Workplaces honor. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including Alignment, Execution, and Connection, just to name a few.
 
“The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits.” says Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together. Claffey adds, “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”
 
“To be named #6 out of the top 75 small employers in the State of Iowa is a significant honor for us” says Roger Schemmel Jr., President of Molyneaux Insurance.  Schemmel added “There is no better compliment than for us to be recognized by our employees for providing a culture that results in a great place to work. Our goal is to be the employer of choice in the Quad Cities. We are working hard to attract, reward and retain the best professionals available. We know that engaged employees result in an exceptional customer service experience for our clients.”