How the Pandemic is Affecting the Apparel Industry and Our Customers

Much like the rest of the world, WorkPlacePro® and its affiliates are experiencing significant issues securing supplies due to the worldwide pandemic. Most apparel-based businesses across the United States are reporting increasing difficulties sourcing t-shirts and other items due to shipping delays, production issues, and price increases.

The havoc on the global supply chain starts overseas with factories coping with new health and safety protocols. Many suppliers have had issues getting staffed back up to be able to meet the consumer demand. In addition, changing regulations for trade and shipping have made logistics and exports even more difficult.

There are shipping challenges, too. FedEx, UPS and DHL have all increased fees in 2021, and have all experienced delays. Shipments overall have increased during 2021 due to more people staying at home and shopping online. Carriers have had significant difficulty managing the demand for space with increased e-commerce shipments. Further, they are providing logistics services for the vaccine, which added to the congestion.

What This Means

At WPP, we are doing everything we can to continue operating at full capacity despite these challenges. We are working to secure goods upfront, but we might have to get creative with solutions to get products in your hands on time. We work continuously with our suppliers to plan ahead, but sometimes shipping or production delays affect their schedules. As a result, we might have to order from different suppliers and warehouses across the U.S.

Color Variation Examples

Another result is that items might vary slightly within the same order. We might have to source substitute brands to fill in sizes that were never stocked, and as a result, one size might be a color shade off from other sizes in the order.

 

Customer satisfaction has always been of the utmost importance to us at WorkPlacePro. We truly hope that our customers understand we are doing everything we possibly can to provide the same great service they have always expected from us. These are unprecedented times, and the complications we have experienced are unlike anything before. With the support of our loyal customers and employees, we believe we will come through this a stronger company and hope to be your top apparel provider for many years to come.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we can continue to navigate these often-unforeseen challenges.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is the month that recognizes the need for Suicide Prevention Awareness, seeing as suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 and the 4th leading cause of death for people 35-54   .

Suicide is always a concern, but with the ongoing pandemic and ever changing landscape that is 2020, mental health is as important as ever. Any health care professional should agree there is no health without mental health.

National google searches for “anxiety and depression” have increased dramatically since March, when the pandemic first started making headlines. Is there a direct correlation? Maybe not statistically, but for those that may have new feelings of anxiety or depression, coping with these new emotions can be difficult. For those that have experience with these mental illnesses, the problem is only compounded by the endless feeling of unknown.

Raising awareness about Suicide Prevention goes a long way towards erasing the stigma of talking about it. Every year we create a design for shirts to raise awareness so you and your group can wear them or sell them during the month of September! We also donate to the National Alliance on Mental Illness yearly because this is an on going battle.

Other ways to help your mental health include getting outside, where social distancing is possible. Go for a walk! This can be especially beneficial if you have a dog, because they will love it too and nothing beats a happy pup. Being outside is a mind booster as well as a physical booster so it’s a win win. Try to meditate if you can even for just 5 minutes in the morning or at night. For a couple more examples that are relatively easy to achieve, check out this article.

Whatever you do, do not discredit the importance of mental health. Erase the stigma around talking about mental health. Be open to the conversation with others or if someone reaches out to you. Above all, remember you are #NotAlone.

If you or someone you know needs helps now, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

For more information, we suggest checking out the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Art Becomes Classroom Supplies

Since 2016 we have hosted a contest for students of all ages, all across America for the chance to have their design turned into a shirt that is sold nationally. The contest is centered around the theme of Autism Awareness so the students along with being creative, learn to bring awareness and acceptance to a cause that is impacting more and more people each year.

The over all student winner receives shirts with their design for their entire classroom and teachers, as well as a pizza party and a gift card from WorkPlacePro in the amount of $500. Fortunately this year we were able to see what the classroom decided to buy with their gift card! Maysn and Sophia (5th graders from Texas) were our 2020 winners– check out what their art and hard work earned them!

Their pizza party is delayed until the fall due to Covid-19, but they look forward to having pizza with one of their new classroom books they will be discussing at that time, according to their teacher Ms. Welty.

Check out our winner’s original submission and the winners from the other categories! We always have so much fun hosting this contest and hope to for years to come! Our wide selection of Autism Awareness apparel and accessories change often and are always for a limited time. Check back often, sign up for our email notifications and maybe you could be the winner next year with your own design on a shirt!

A Letter from Our Founder

Dear WorkPlacePro Customer,

I pray this letter finds you and your family healthy and well during this difficult time in our nation. During our 40 years of business, whether you have bought one shirt or a thousand, our customers are the heart of our company’s success and we are so thankful for each of you!

Many of you know high school and college seniors whose special year and last moments with lifelong friends have been tragically cut short. Our oldest grandson, Chase Cimala, is a senior in high school and one of the many that have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We wanted to share that Chase has written an original song entitled “Cheers To My Teenage Years” dedicated to his graduating class, which we invite you to listen to from the links below. One music blogger wrote “his song throws a positive light on graduating from high school in 2020” and termed it “The Class of 2020’s Grad Song“.

In the midst of these troubling times, we hope this song brings hope that the people, places, and memories these students have made will always be a part of them. And for those of us that are older, we hope it reminds you of precious days gone by and brings a smile to your face as well! Cheers to the graduating class of 2020!

Best Regards,
Richard Humble
Founder/Owner
WorkPlacePro

» Listen on Amazon
» Listen on Spotify
» Listen on Apple Music

 

Follow Chase on Instagram or Facebook for more of his music.

 

New Round Up Partner for COVID-19 Relief

WorkPlacePro has partnered with GiveDirectly as part of our Round Up campaign during the current national and global COVID-19 crisis. Simply choose GiveDirectly as your organization of choice when checking out and your total will be rounded up to the next dollar. The change donated will go to GiveDirectly.

GiveDirectlly is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization committed to giving cash donations directly to the people that need it most. During the COVID-19 Crisis, GiveDirectly is delivering cash to families impacted in the U.S. first and then expanding globally when/if needed. Vulnerable households enrolled in SNAP and households living in areas hit hardest by this crisis will receive funds first. Populations suffering recent job loss & the elderly will also benefit through GiveDirectly donations.

Learn more at: https://www.givedirectly.org/covid-19/

WorkPlacePro’s Response to COVID-19

As the world navigates the COVID-19 health crisis, we want to assure you that our number one focus is to maintain the same level of availability and support that you’ve come to expect as our valued customer. We’d like to update you on the steps that we are taking to mitigate risks and ensure that WorkPlacePro (along with our affiliates, Better Life and EarthDayShirts) continues to meet your needs through this health crisis.

WorkPlacePro’s leadership team is meeting continuously to assess and appropriately respond to the crisis as it evolves, to adjust our operations to maintain continuity, and to support the safety and health of those impacted. In addition, WorkPlacePro is operating in accordance with guidance from local government and public health authorities across the globe. Of course, the health and welfare of both our employees and your employees remain a priority. We have put in place many virus-mitigating actions which result in a reduction of potential transmission.

We want you to feel confident about ordering from WorkPlacePro. Our manufacturing facilities will remain open, and our Customer Service Team will be ready to assist you. We know the health of your business relies on us to supply the right products to you in a timely fashion. We are working tirelessly to ensure we can provide the best service to you and your business.

Our business continuity plan has been activated to ensure our manufacturing staff, products, and customer support services are available for continuous operations in all areas of our business. We are confident in our business continuity plan to be effective as we all navigate this fast-changing situation. Here are some of the practices we have put in place:

• We have eliminated all non-essential business travel in the US and have restricted travel outside of North America at this time.

• We are requiring employees who are ill (or suspected to be exposed but not exhibiting symptoms) to self-quarantine for a 14-day period.

• All visiting vendors and customers who need to physically be present at our facilities are instructed to follow WorkPlacePro’s Standard Operating Procedures, including:

• If experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, or have visited an area with high rates of disease transmission within the past 14 days, you are asked to self-isolate and not enter our facilities.

• Only attend in person if remote controls fail.

• Wash or sanitize hands prior to entering our facilities; maintain social-distancing guidelines of six feet of separation from others if practicable.

Based on currently available information, we continue to modify our practices and take new steps to ensure that we are providing quality service to our customers, reducing risks to our employees and their families, and sustaining the seamless operation of our business.

Although we will do everything in our ability to get your orders to you on time, there may be delays in your orders due to the effects resonating from the impacts of this global virus. To help schools which are closed temporarily, we are extending deadlines for upcoming educational designs through 4/16/2020.

Thank you so very much for your business. WorkPlacePro is committed to being a trusted, reliable partner to you during these challenging times. We will be updating you going forward as this rapidly evolving situation changes.

Tips for St. Patrick’s Day Fun

March 17 Calendar Image
St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Looking for some St. Patrick’s Day fun for everyone in your family? Held annually on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is a worldwide celebration of Irish culture to commemorate St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century.  Taking advantage of this festive holiday can provide joy for everyone in your family! Here are some easy ways to incorporate some Irish culture into your day.

  1. Decorate Your Workspace: Brighten your co-workers’ moods with some festive decorations in your office or cubicle. No need to spend a lot of money!  Click here for some quick and inexpensive Do-It-Yourself ideas you can easily create.
  2. Get Your Kids Involved: What child doesn’t love the magic of rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold? Adding holiday specific colors to any craft project will bring out the fun.  Here’s a unique idea that will let your child explore their creativity by building a leprechaun trap!
  3. Make a traditional Irish meal: Stuck in a dinner rut? Incorporating a theme into your meals will force you to step out of your comfort zone!  Embrace a new cuisine with these popular Irish feasts. Yum!
  4. Avoid Getting Pinched: Wearing green is a staple of St. Patrick’s Day. As the tradition goes, wearing green on Saint Patrick’s Day is supposed to make you invisible to leprechauns. They will pinch you as soon as you come up on their radar if you don’t wear green. Wear our limited “Loads of Luck” design to stay pinch proof!

Holidays are a great way to stop and remember to enjoy life!  Whether you use our suggestions or create your own, we encourage you to have a treasure of St. Patrick’s Day Fun!

How to Have Fun on the 100th Day of School

Tips on Celebrating with Kids

A new school celebration gaining popularity in elementary schools across the country is dubbed, “The 100th Day of School.”  This celebration literally occurs on the 100th day of the school year. The calendar date varies, due to differences of start dates and inclement weather, but it typically falls in the January-February time frame.

This day provides the opportunity to plan fun activities for young minds.  They can learn new math skills, create a new art project, or stretch their creativity. Here are some 100 days of school ideas to do with your little ones either at school or at home:

  1. Practice Counting- Think about it. There are lots of ways to count to 100! You can count by 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, etc.  100 is an easy, round number for young minds to practice with. Here’s some neat ideas to practice counting!
  2. Exercise- Explore ways to get to 100 with your body! Do 10 reps of 10 different exercises, like jumping jacks, sit-ups, or push-ups. Or walk 100 steps and measure the distance of your steps compared to someone else’s. Check out some other fun kid-friendly exercise ideas!
  3. Design a necklace- Build fine motor skills by having your children or students string 100 items onto a piece of yarn that they can wear as a necklace. Use cereal such as fruit loops to combine craft time with snack time!
  4. Make a t-shirt- Here at WorkPlacePro®, we are all about t-shirts! We love the idea of kids creating their own. Start this project plenty of time in advance, so the child can begin collecting items that they will later glue onto a t-shirt.  Fun ideas might include stickers, pennies, Legos, or sequins.  Let them use fabric paint to decorate and make it their own! We love these creative examples shown here.

The 100th day of school is not only a great way to have fun, but it’s also a time to reflect on what has been learned so far and what is yet to come.  We wanted to create a t-shirt design that celebrated a memorable school year for this purpose!  Check out our “Best School Year Ever” design here, available until November 14, 2019!

It’s Cool to be Kind: Seven Tips to Show Kindness This Winter

Winter is coming!  While some love the coziness winter brings, this season can be tough for many people.  Proclaimed “winter haters” blame less natural sunlight, colder temperatures, holiday stress, and more sickness as contributors to their negativity.

So, what can you do to brighten someone’s day this winter season?  Below is a list of a few small tips that might make all the difference.

  1. Give someone a sincere compliment. Simple enough, right? Complimenting an outfit, a job well done, or telling someone to have a nice day might just be all they need to put a little pep in their step.
  2. Make a batch of cookies for a neighbor or friend. Not a huge baker? No problem. Check out these easy, no-bake Christmas cookie recipes.
  3. Send Christmas Cards to residents at a nursing home. Even better- get your kids involved! Imagine the love and joy that a nursing home resident would receive through a homemade card.  Get some ideas on easy cards that kids can make here.
  4. Pay for someone’s coffee. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read on social media that when someone had their coffee paid for, it completely made their day. Pay it forward!
  5. Take breakfast to the firefighters at your local fire station or to the officers at your police station. They brave bad weather on a regular basis to keep their citizens safe.  Here’s another cute idea to show them you much you appreciate what they do for their communities!
  6. If you have a child or children that ride the bus to school, bring the bus driver a treat bag such as this one. He or she will appreciate the ray of sunshine on a cold day.
  7. Put together some care kits in ziploc bags for those who are homeless. You may want to include chapstick, lotion, gloves, hand warmers, a hat, snack crackers, etc.

Want to further promote kindness this holiday season? Check out our “Cool to be Kind” snowman shirts available for purchase on WorkPlacePro.com!

The Most Magical Time of the Year — How to Maximize Traditions for Holiday Fun!

Doesn’t it seem like the Holidays come earlier and earlier each year? Start making your list and checking it twice now, because the holiday festivities will begin quicker than you can say, “Can I put my decorations up yet? It is September, after all.”

Ahh, the most wonderful time of the year. A time for celebration, family, traditions, decorations, hot cocoa and fuzzy socks. Is there really anything better?

cappuccino in white ceramic teacup

 

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

One of my favorite traditions that we started a few years back is making a “Christmas Eve” box. We do this with our children, but even if you don’t have kids – adult-sized onesie pajamas are still fun, right? Usually it’s something similar to this. We wear comfy PJs, have hot chocolate and popcorn, watch a holiday movie and read a holiday-themed book. 🙂 It really is fun for everyone, and gets us all settled for that long winter’s nap!

four kids doing jump shot inside bedroom while wearing pajamas

Food, Food and More Food! Did I mention food?

Guys. There are so many different cool ways to make holiday treats! Check out these must-have cookies that are easy and fun. Not to mention the whole family can participate, thus creating more traditions! There are millions of creative ideas for treats – and there is nothing like walking into a room that just smells like holiday cheer!

person holding clear jar filled with cookies

DIY Projects

Who doesn’t love a good DIY project? The holidays can be expensive. Between traveling, hosting dinners, gifts, cards, parties, however you celebrate – there is almost always a cost involved. Look into some of these DIY decorations that could save you money off the retail price, and yet again, another tradition!

hanging snowflakes paper decor

Whatever your traditions may be, however you celebrate your holidays – WorkPlacePro® invites you to celebrate with us. These holiday designs are perfect for numerous professions, or just for fun! Stay safe (and warm) and we wish you all Happy Holidays!

selective focus photo of Happy Holidays board decor