News for Employees
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Enroll in 2018 Benefits by October 27 Deadline
The Annual Benefits Enrollment period ends this Friday, Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. This is the only time you can make changes to certain benefits without having an eligible life event or qualifying employment change during the year. In addition, certain benefits you may be enrolled in require action each year. Employees should choose their 2018 benefits using Self Service (eBenefits) via the MyUW portal. To get started, visit benefits.wisc.edu/2018.
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Diversity Forum Builds Cultural Capacity
The 2017 UW–Madison Diversity Forum, “Together: Building Cultural Capacity,” will take place Tuesday–Wednesday, Nov. 7–8, at Union South. On Nov. 7, the event will feature diversity updates, breakout sessions, a Campus/Community Town Hall, and keynote speaker Walter Echo-Hawk, Native American civil rights attorney. The second day will be a Cultural Competency Workshop Training for mental health specialists, student service professionals, and advisors. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested. This event is convened by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement.
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Leadership Conference Registration Closing
November 1 is the deadline to register for the 19th annual “Leadership and Management Development Conference: Forward Thinking for Today’s Leaders,” scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13 at Union South. Attendees can choose from a variety of breakout sessions focused on developing the skills to lead and manage more effectively. Faculty, staff, and community members are welcome. The registration fee is $125. CEUs are available.
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Open Forums on Graduate Assistantship Policies
Open forums will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25 (6 p.m.) and Friday, Oct. 27 (11:30 a.m.) to gather feedback on a draft of a new Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures document for graduate students and supervisors.
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Fellowships Support Excellence in Teaching
Early-career faculty teaching undergraduate courses may apply for the next cohort of Faculty Fellows in the Madison Teaching and Learning Excellence (MTLE) program. Applications for spring 2018 are due November 15, 2017. Over the course of two semesters, each cohort of MTLE Faculty Fellows engages in a modular curriculum designed to connect them with a network of teaching and learning experts across campus; welcome them into a small, supportive cohort of early-faculty peers; and guide them to become more engaging and impactful educators.
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Re-Enroll to Continue Certain Benefits in 2018
The Annual Benefits Enrollment period is currently underway and will end on October 27, 2017. Even if you do not want to make any changes in your benefits elections for 2018, some plans require that you enroll each year to continue your participation. Be sure to enroll by October 27 if you wish to participate in the Flexible Savings Account (FSA) in 2018, including Health Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, or Dependent Day Care FSA. The Health Savings Account (HSA) requires that you enroll each year you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). If you wish to decline health insurance, you must opt out every year to participate in the State Group Health Insurance Opt-Out Incentive Plan. Visit www.wisconsin.edu/abe for details.
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New Mental Health Resource Available Online
UW–Madison faculty and staff can obtain no-cost, confidential help for mental health issues and stress management support through SilverCloud, an online service offered by the Employee Assistance Office (EAO). Using a cognitive behavioral model, SilverCloud offers self-guided exercises to help employees learn about and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. The program can supplement face-to-face counseling, while some individuals may use it without seeing a counselor at all. SilverCloud is available to students through University Health Services. Go to eao.wisc.edu/silvercloud to learn more.
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Pay Increase Planned for Night and Weekend Employees
UW–Madison employees who work second or third shift receive additional compensation when they work nights between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. or weekends between 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and midnight on Sunday. This additional compensation, known as “differential pay,” will increase beginning November 12, 2017. The differential will increase from $0.45 to $0.80 per hour for hours worked at night and from $0.60 to $0.80 per hour for weekend hours worked. In announcing the increase, UW–Madison administrators stated that they appreciate the hard work and contributions of second- and third-shift workers to the mission of the university.
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Input Sought on Graduate Assistantship Policy Draft
A campus workgroup, charged with transitioning policy from the former Teacher Assistants Association contract to a Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures document, will host forums to gather feedback on the drafted document. The group’s purpose has been to develop a resource that will guide graduate students and supervisors on employment-related matters. Open forums will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. in 1106 Mechanical Engineering and Friday, Oct. 27 at 11:30 a.m. in 260 Bascom Hall.
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New Fleet Vehicle Driver Authorization Form
The Wisconsin Department of Administration has launched a new fleet asset management system, Enterprise Fleet Management System. All Electronic Vehicle Use Agreements (EVUA) will be submitted and stored electronically in this system. To avoid an interruption in service, all employees who drive fleet vehicles for university business must complete a new EVUA by October 27, 2017. The new form can be found at fleetportal.wi.gov.