Dear Staff,
Over the years of my working with people I have learned what motivates and drives me in the work arena. Throughout my years at Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center I find tremendous reinforcement that my drive to enjoy work and to succeed comes from working and learning together with dedicated, compassionate and very talented staff- that is what makes me relish coming to work every day.
My enthusiasm for working at BHSC has become even more evident to me in working with you all to “survive” the impacts of the COVID-19 disruption on the organization. Throughout this past year, our employees have endured a range of challenges, including large-scale concern about job security and personal safety. Almost one year ago many of you shifted to working from home, which was a completely new experience for staff and the organization. You may have initially experienced the perks of this newfound flexibility but also the profound loss of connection and interaction that was previously an important part of the work experience at all of our sites. It has been a year of uncertainty and disconnection.
While virtual connections over Zoom have helped, they do not replace the personal interactions with management and colleagues in the workplace. I also know that each of you felt the stresses of working, while caring for and teaching your own children- and for many of you also had to deal family issues and personal loss. It has been a year of cumulative stress and trauma on all of us.
But with great hopefulness, I believe that we are emerging from this unique moment in history that challenged each of us- along with the children, adults and families that we serve and support. I believe that because of you, and together along with you, we will emerge even better and stronger than ever.
Today is National Employee Recognition Day and I wanted to let you know that you are always top of mind to me, the Leadership Team and all of our managers and supervisors.
I want you to know that:
– Words can never be enough to express how much I admire your actions, because your work always meets and exceeds our expectations. Thank you!
– Your hard work and creativity is appreciated by all! Congratulations and I hope we have you on staff for many, many more years to come.
– Your passion is a quality that cannot be learnt and an ability which cannot be taught. Thank you for being a part of this organization.
Finally, I want you to know that I (and we all) appreciate you for more than just your work. Today we also want to celebrate your character and the very positive effect you have on others. Congratulations on being a great work team and thank you so much not only for all you do, but for being the type of people that I am proud to call my work tribe.
Be well. joe cozzo
