News for Employees
-
Bowling league for faculty and staff starts this month
The Wisconsin Union invites registrations for the Faculty and Staff Bowling League at Sett Recreation at Union South. The cost is $160 per four-person team; friends from outside UW–Madison may be invited to join a team. The next league will be held on Wednesdays, Oct. 29–Nov. 19, from 5–8 p.m. Register by Oct. 27.
-
Online session provides help with benefits enrollment
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is currently underway and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Employees who need more information in order to make informed decisions about benefits may wish to attend a live, virtual presentation of “Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know” on October 15, 16, or 22 via Zoom. This session includes a review of 2026 benefits changes, information on how to enroll, and time for questions and answers. The recorded presentation is available for viewing 24/7 on YouTube. Links to these and other resources can be found at benefits.wisc.edu/2026.
-
Nominations open for awards honoring academic staff
Each year, UW–Madison and Universities of Wisconsin honor academic staff members for their achievements and dedication to excellence. The UW‒Madison Academic Staff Excellence Awards will honor nine individuals in seven categories. The deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.
Nominations are also open for the 2026 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes outstanding undergraduate teaching at Universities of Wisconsin institutions within the Alliant service area. Nominations for this award are also due Dec. 8, 2025.
-
Workshop open to all employees teaches AI basics
The Learn@UW team is offering a one-hour workshop to introduce the basics of AI using UW–Madison approved artificial intelligence tools: Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. This hands-on session will show attendees how to log in, write a successful prompt, protect university information, and think critically about the results these tools provide. Sessions will be held Monday, Oct. 20, noon–1 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 12, noon–1 p.m. via Zoom. UW–Madison employees may attend at no cost.
-
Webinar helps employees reduce holiday stress
LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Holiday Stress, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, noon-1 p.m. via Zoom. Participants will learn how to create a holiday season that is relaxed, fun, and comfortable. This session will explore topics such as finding the meaning in the holiday season, evaluating traditions, relieving stress, tips for parents, and managing the holiday blues. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW–Madison employees.
-
Re-enroll to continue certain benefits in 2026
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is currently underway and will end on October 31, 2025. Even if you do not want to make any changes in your benefits elections for 2026, 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 2026, 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 Medical Opt-Out Incentive requires re-enrollment each year. Employees must choose the Medical Opt-Out Incentive when electing benefits; declining medical coverage is not enrolling in the Opt-Out Incentive. Those enrolled in family Accident Insurance must enroll if they wish to participate in 2026.
Employees may attend a virtual presentation, “Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know,” to learn about next year’s plan changes, their benefit election options, and the decisions they need to make by the Oct. 31 deadline. In-person sessions and help enrolling in benefits will be offered at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on October 14. Find details and other resources to help with benefits enrollment at benefits.wisc.edu/2026.
-
Partners in Giving campaign: Build a better tomorrow together
Through UW–Madison’s annual workplace giving campaign, Partners in Giving, employees join together to make a difference in our communities and beyond by raising funds to support hundreds of local, state, national, and international charities. The active fall campaign is Oct. 6–Dec. 2, though donations can be accepted through May 15, 2026. If giving through payroll deduction, your pledge should be made during the fall campaign. Learn more, including how you can give online or through a mailed or emailed pledge form, at giving.wi.gov.
-
Federal shutdown update
On Oct. 1, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer and Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska sent a message to all students, faculty, and staff regarding the shutdown of all non-essential federal government operations. Though this event is concerning for our campus operations and research enterprise, campus leaders have been preparing for this possibility over recent weeks and have planned for multiple scenarios. During the shutdown, the university’s goals are to provide guidance and advocacy for our community and limit disruption on campus to the maximum extent possible. Campus leaders are monitoring developments and potential impacts and will continue to communicate with the community and shared governance. The Office of Federal Relations will also post broader campus updates on an as-needed basis.
-
Benefits Open Enrollment begins October 6
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 6–October 31, 2025. This is your opportunity to enroll in or change your benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Certain benefits require re-enrollment if you wish to continue them into 2026. Changes made during this period will be effective January 1, 2026.
Benefits-eligible employees can find information about how to prepare for benefits enrollment online. Employees are also encouraged to attend upcoming virtual and in-person information sessions to learn about benefits options and how to enroll. This information session will also be offered in person at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Oct. 14. A daytime session will be offered in English, Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepali on Oct. 8, and a late-night session for the second and third shifts will be offered in all languages on Oct. 15. Details and additional resources to assist with benefits enrollment are available at benefits.wisc.edu/2026.
-
Save the date for Employee Benefits and Resource Fair
The Employee Benefits and Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Varsity Hall at Union South. The event features resources and presentations that can help with benefits enrollment for 2026. The Benefits Open Enrollment period runs from Oct. 6–Oct. 31, 2025. Representatives from Benefits Services will be on hand to answer questions, and a 60-minute session, “Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know,” will be presented at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 12:45 p.m. An Open Lab will be available 9 a.m.–3 p.m. for those who have made their 2026 benefits decisions and would like help enrolling or making changes through Workday.
Units and services from across campus will have representatives on hand to introduce resources and opportunities available to UW–Madison employees. Employees may also attend free sessions to learn about resources for families, retirement planning, and more. For details, visit go.wisc.edu/employee-resource-fair.