News for Employees

• Academic Staff Institute registration deadline approaching

  March 25, 2026

  The Academic Staff Institute (ASI), an annual professional development conference for UW–Madison academic staff, will take place on Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Union South. The registration cost of $25 includes lunch. Those who join the Academic Staff Professionals Representation Organization between now and April 1 will receive free registration to ASI. All attendees will receive free membership to the Madison Academic Staff Network through August 31, 2026. Registration is open through April 1 at go.wisc.edu/xlw5yw.

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• Applications open for Insights to Impact (i2i) program

  March 25, 2026

  The Insights to Impact (i2i) program helps instructors transform data into actionable strategies that improve student learning and success. Selected participants work on a project that is meaningful to them, and receive dedicated teaching and learning data support, pedagogical consultation, and governance guidance. Projects often lead to data-informed curriculum changes and ongoing research opportunities. Faculty and instructional staff are invited to apply to the 2026–27 program. The early bird deadline is April 6, and the rolling deadline ends May 23. Early applications receive priority and spaces are limited.

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• America Saves Week provides resources for financial well-being

  March 25, 2026

  UW–Madison employees are invited to learn about financial well-being during America Saves Week, April 6 through April 10. The campaign encourages everyone to check in on their finances by highlighting areas such as saving automatically, preparing for unexpected expenses, and reducing debt. Live and on-demand webinars will be offered on a variety of topics. Some webinars require pre-registration. Credit check-ups and individual counseling sessions are available by appointment or with pre-registration. Learn more on the Universities of Wisconsin America Saves website. Employees are also encouraged to sign up for Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) News Online from Employee Trust Funds (ETF) to learn more about retirement, finances, and overall well-being.

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• Help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace

  March 25, 2026

  All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning about substance misuse, encouraging others to make healthy choices, and knowing where you or others can go for help, if needed. Review this information and find resources for drug and alcohol prevention at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.

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• Reminder of June 30 deadline to use personal holiday and vacation carryover

  March 18, 2026

  UW–Madison employees are reminded to make plans to use certain leave balances before the end of the fiscal year. University Staff, Academic Staff, Faculty, and Limited appointees must use personal holiday hours, floating legal holidays, or vacation carryover on or before June 30, or those hours will be lost. Employees eligible to bank vacation hours will be able to make those elections in Workday from July 1 to September 30. (Eligible University Staff may also choose cash payout elections.)

  Employees are encouraged to review their leave balances (called “time off balances” in Workday). Workday has several ways to view time off balances, including directly from the Employee Profile (see the HR Guide on How to View Time Off Balances for details). Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors to schedule time off. Employees with questions should contact the human resources department in their school, college, or division.

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• Registration deadline approaching for Administrative Professionals Conference

  March 18, 2026

  The Administrative Professionals Conference will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Union South. The conference is designed for UW–Madison employees and others who would like to learn professional skills across a wide variety of topics, including career management, leadership, workplace skills, relationship building, communication, well-being, and more. Registration is due March 31. The $125 fee includes the keynote, workshops, continental breakfast, and lunch. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to approve staff requests to attend the conference.

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• Reminder: Leave policy for voting

  March 18, 2026

  With the Spring Election coming up on April 7, employees are reminded of the UW–Madison policy regarding taking time off work to vote. Employees who cannot vote outside of working hours may vote during their scheduled work hours and must provide their supervisor with a written absence request prior to Election Day. Employees can arrange a flexible schedule with their supervisor that will allow them to vote or, depending on their eligibility, receive leave with pay or take leave without pay. Details are available in the Leave for Voting and Serving as an Election Official policy at policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5059.

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• Workday update coming March 14

  March 11, 2026

  Workday will be updating Saturday, March 14, as part of a scheduled Feature Release. This update brings new features, improvements, and fixes designed to enhance the Workday experience. The home page will have a new centered, aligned layout that includes the search bar location. The navigation sidebar buttons will reflect UW–Madison’s colors, and some links will be highlighted in grey and underline when the user hovers over them. Workday releases two major system updates each year, typically in September and March. For more information about feature releases, job aids, and access to help with Workday, visit wisconsin.edu/workday.

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• Professional development opportunities that focus on finance

  March 11, 2026

  Learning and Talent Development offers UW–Madison employees no-cost professional development opportunities for those with financial roles or responsibilities on campus. The free, cohort-based Finance@UW program delivers a comprehensive curriculum of skills necessary to succeed in financial roles on campus. This is complemented by a free LinkedIn Learning resource, Excel and PowerPoint: Creating High-Impact Financial Presentations, that helps finance professionals turn complex data into clear, impactful presentations using advanced Excel tools and seamless PowerPoint integration. LinkedIn Learning also offers Excel Nano Tips, a free series that delivers quick, practical Excel shortcuts to help finance professionals save time and work more efficiently.

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• Webinar boosts decision-making skills

  March 11, 2026

  LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Art of Decision Making, on Tuesday, March 24, noon‒1 p.m. Participants will learn about qualities of effective decision makers, overcoming indecision, and the decision-making process. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

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