Benefits to Help You Through Life’s Unexpected Challenges

Life’s full of unexpected moments. Kristie Myers, a manager in Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), knows this all too well. In 2021, her husband Greg was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer, resulting in an operation to remove his stomach. In 2022, Kristie and Greg’s two children underwent the same operation after learning they inherited a CDH1 genetic mutation.

Overwhelmed by the likelihood of her entire family sharing a horrible disease, Kristie turned to the free counseling services available through the NGCare Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

“I’ve always known about NGCare, but a colleague suggested it to me when all this started happening,” Kristie said. “They could tell I was under stress and just needed someone to listen.”

Despite having a security clearance, Kristie didn’t let misconceptions about seeking mental health treatment stop her from receiving support. “There’s a stigma with those of us who carry clearances that if you seek counseling, you’ll lose your clearance. There really shouldn't be fear around reaching out to have someone listen.”

Through counseling, Kristie learned valuable skills to help her sort through and feel her emotions. “I needed to take care of my own emotions and feelings before I could be a support system for my family.”

Kristie appreciated the convenience of virtual counseling sessions. “I would walk to my car and have a session during lunch or stroll outside and talk on my cell phone.”

In addition to the NGCare benefit, Kristie found relief with Northrop Grumman’s new Paid Caregiver Leave. “This benefit’s definitely a step in the right direction and will provide peace of mind,” she said. In California, where Kristie lives, individuals can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/California Family Rights Act (CFRA) for eligible care of a family member in a rolling twelve-month period. Like California State Disability Insurance (SDI), an employee who has been working in California can claim Paid Family Leave (PFL) as supplemental income[1] during an eligible family care leave. “The two-week difference that Northrop Grumman offers adds more cushion to still have pay coming in.”

As Greg’s illness has progressed, the couple has had to get their affairs in order. “Where better to turn than another program offered here at Northrop Grumman?” Kristie said. Her family is now taking advantage of the optional legal coverage offered through MetLife to update their wills and trusts.

Throughout her struggles, Kristie receives support from her Northrop Grumman supervisors and colleagues. “I wish more people wouldn’t be so hesitant to share some of their challenges. There may be a lot of programs out there that they don’t know exist.”