News for Employees
-
Workday launch revised to July 2025
On October 6, 2023, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved a revised timeline for the implementation of Workday — the cloud-based system that will streamline and simplify administrative processes — as part of the Administrative Transformation Program (ATP). The Workday launch date, previously scheduled for July 2024, is now July 2025. ATP is a UW System-wide initiative to standardize and simplify how finance, human resources, and research administration tasks get done across all UW System institutions, allowing staff to refocus valuable time on UW’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. Most UW‒Madison employees will not need to take any action until March 2025, when their Workday training will begin.
-
Partners in Giving campaign: Be Part of Something Bigger
Through UW–Madison’s annual workplace giving campaign, Partners in Giving, employees can donate to the local, national, and international charities of their choice, now through May 14, 2024. Gifts of even $1 per pay period add up to make a positive impact in our local community and around the world. Pledges can be made online by payroll deduction or credit card. A paper pledge form is also available to be emailed or mailed, allowing payroll deduction or check. Requests for payroll deduction must be received by December 31, 2023. Learn more at giving.wi.gov.
-
Sustainability Symposium takes place Oct. 25
The UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.‒5:30 p.m., in the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. The Symposium will feature lightning talks, posters, refreshments, and a keynote from Dr. Weslynne Ashton entitled “Crafting a Just, Equitable, and Circular Food System.” All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend this no-cost event. Registration is open through October 23; registration will also be available at the door on the day of the event.
-
Understand Wisconsin's Public Records Law
The Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs would like to remind UW–Madison employees about their responsibilities under the Wisconsin Public Records Law. UW–Madison records are generally considered available to the public, subject to a few important exceptions. A web page on the Office of Compliance website contains helpful information, including an explanation of Wisconsin Public Records, guidelines for employees, and answers to common questions. Language translations of the guidelines will be available soon.
-
Re-enroll to continue certain benefits in 2024
The Annual Benefits Enrollment period is currently underway and will end on October 20, 2023. Even if you do not want to make any changes in your benefits elections for 2024, some plans require that you enroll each year to continue your participation. Be sure to enroll if you wish to participate in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2024, including Health Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Day Care FSA. You must enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) each year if you choose a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The State Group Health Insurance Opt-Out Incentive requires re-enrollment each year. Employees must choose the Opt-Out Incentive when electing benefits; waiving health coverage is not enrolling in the Opt-Out Incentive.
GHC of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) will split into two separate networks starting January 1, 2024: GHC-SCW Dane Choice (Dane County) and GHC-SCW Neighbors (Columbia, Grant, Iowa, Sauk, Jefferson, Juneau and Lafayette Counties). If you are enrolled in the GHC-SCW network in 2023, you will automatically be enrolled in GHC-SCW Dane Choice network unless you change to GHC-SCW Neighbors during annual benefits enrollment. Virtual presentations and other resources for employees can be found at benefits.wisc.edu/2024.
-
COVID-19 vaccine available on campus
All members of our campus community are encouraged to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. An updated, monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all students and employees at no cost through University Health Services. Vaccine clinics are scheduled for a variety of campus locations and times beginning Oct. 5 and continuing through Dec. 7. Visit uhs.wisc.edu/covid to find a list of clinics and schedule an appointment.
-
Joint Committee on Employment Relations and UW pay raises
The 2023‒25 state budget included funding for compensation increases of 4 percent in the first year and 2 percent in the second year for all state employees, including UW employees. The proposed state compensation plan is now before the Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER), though there is no statutory deadline or requirement for the committee to meet. Working with UW System, UW‒Madison State Relations continues to advocate to legislators the need for JCOER to convene in a timely manner to approve the provisions of the 2023‒25 pay plan for all UW employees.
-
Next Workday Walkthrough looks at manager tasks
As part of the Administrative Transformation Program (ATP), UW‒Madison will be transitioning to Workday, a cloud-based software platform that will streamline and simplify administrative processes. The virtual Workday Walkthrough on Thursday, Oct. 12, 3‒4 p.m., will cover the tasks managers will be able to perform in Workday, including viewing information about their direct reports, approving requests for time off, approving timesheets, and more. Workday Walkthroughs are an introduction to Workday; they are not training. Learn more, find the meeting link to join this Workday Walkthrough live, or access the recording later on the ATP website with your UW login.
-
Participate in Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, DoIT is offering activities and learning opportunities to help people learn cybersecurity basics and protect their data online. UW‒Madison is highlighting four key action steps everyone can take: enable multi-factor authentication, use strong passwords, recognize and report phishing, and update your software. Learn more and find online activities, including a cyber-themed scavenger hunt, word search, and crossword puzzle.
-
Save the date for upcoming benefits enrollment sessions
UW–Madison employees can enroll in or change benefits for the upcoming year now through Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Certain benefits require re-enrollment every year. Employees are encouraged to attend upcoming virtual and in-person sessions that will provide information about benefits options and how to enroll. A 60-minute overview, “Benefits 2024: What You Need to Know,” will be offered virtually throughout the enrollment period. This information session will also be offered in person at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 3. A daytime session will be offered in multiple languages (no English) on Sept. 28, and a late-night session for the second and third shifts will be offered in all languages on Oct. 4. Details about these sessions and additional resources to assist with benefits enrollment are available at benefits.wisc.edu/2024.