News for Employees

• Professional development courses now in Workday

  July 22, 2026

  UW–Madison employees have access to a wide range of courses, programs, conferences, and workshops, including many that are offered at no cost. Beginning in July, most Learning and Talent Development courses will be available in Workday. Details, including registration links, can be found on the web page for each course. Many registration links will direct employees to enroll in courses in Workday. Employees can subscribe to the Next Level newsletter to receive monthly updates on the professional development opportunities available to UW–Madison employees.

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• Student Supervisor Certificate program invites applications

  July 22, 2026

  Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Student Supervisor Certificate (SSC). The cohort-based, 8-course program recognizes student employment as a high-impact practice and equips supervisors with the tools, resources, and community needed to support student success. Any UW–Madison professional staff member who directly supervises student employees — regardless of department, location, years of experience, or number of students supervised — is eligible to apply. Applications are due August 10.

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• New Teams group connects administrative staff exploring AI at work

  July 22, 2026

  Administrative staff exploring AI at work have a new way to connect. The Administrative AI Exchange is a Microsoft Teams community where staff in human resources, finance, facilities, and other administrative functions can ask questions, share their experiences, and learn how peers across the university are approaching AI. The group is informal and open to everyone at UW–Madison, including those who are exploring or adopting AI.

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• Where to find updates on campus cooling issues

  July 22, 2026

  UW–Madison campus buildings are experiencing higher than normal temperatures and humidity due to a broken chilled water line. Based on current information, repairs to the broken chilled water line are expected to be completed before students return for the fall semester. UW–Madison maintains a Campus Cooling Issues news page with updates on the impacts to campus operations. Information is provided in six languages.

  The page also includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that address employee concerns, building operation, information about working and staying safe in the heat, parking and transportation, and more. Employees with questions should contact their supervisor or manager for additional guidance.

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• Parking permit updates from Transportation Services

  July 15, 2026

  Applications for 2026–27 parking permits have reopened for a second round. Employees who have not yet applied can submit an application by the July 21 deadline. Approved permits will be valid September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. The first round of parking permit offers was emailed on July 2 and must be accepted by the July 21 deadline. If you applied but did not receive an assignment in the first round, no action is required. Your application will remain on the waiting list for consideration in future rounds. For more information about campus parking permits, visit transportation.wisc.edu.

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• Professional development contributes to positive workplaces

  July 15, 2026

  The actions employees take every day can contribute to a positive workplace experience for everyone. Learning and Talent Development offers professional development opportunities that can enhance leadership skills and build the confidence to respond to workplace concerns. Employees with these skills help build a workplace where people feel connected and empowered. Most courses and cohort programs are open to UW–Madison employees at no cost.

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• Webinar teaches team communication skills

  July 15, 2026

  LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Communicating Cooperatively at Work, on Tuesday, July 28, noon‒1 p.m. Participants will learn about the importance of communication in team relationships; successful strategies for sending and receiving complex communications; five levels of listening; and communicating well in problem situations. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

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• Help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace

  July 15, 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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• July 4 floating legal holiday

  July 8, 2026

  This year, July 4 is a floating legal holiday for eligible UW–Madison employees. Eligible employees are granted eight hours of floating legal holiday (prorated for part-time) when a legal holiday falls on a Saturday. Employees who have a floating legal holiday will be able to see the hours in their Legal Holiday balance in Workday. Information on how to view time off balances is available in the HR Guides for Employees. Employees will have until June 30, 2027, to use the floating legal holiday hours or they will be lost.

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• Eligible employees can now enter leave banking in Workday

  July 8, 2026

  Faculty, University Staff, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees who are eligible to bank unused vacation or vacation carryover hours were recently notified of their eligibility on their Workday home page, under Announcements. Eligible University Staff may elect to bank unused vacation hours in a Banked Leave account and/or receive a cash payout. Eligible Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees may bank unused vacation hours in a Banked Leave account, but cash payouts are not permitted. Not all employees are eligible to enter banked leave; eligibility to bank leave is outlined in the UW–Madison Vacation Policy.

  Eligible employees who wish to bank their leave must complete a form in Workday. Employees who submit the form will receive an email confirmation; this email will include information on when their Banked Leave balance will be updated in Workday. The deadline to elect banked leave is Sept. 30 of each year. Employees with questions should speak with their human resources contact or visit the GetHelpUW page on the Workday website.

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