News for Employees
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Health screenings on campus help employees earn Well Wisconsin incentive
The Well Wisconsin program offers resources to help employees lower their health risks and meet their health and well-being goals. Program participants who complete and submit the three required activities by October 16, 2026 — including a health check — will earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive. Employees and spouses who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health insurance program may take advantage of free health checks at Dejope Residence Hall on Thursday, July 30, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Appointments are required; walk-ins will not be accepted.
To register for an appointment, go to webmd.com/wellwisconsin, and set up an account with Well Wisconsin if you do not already have one. Then go to Biometric Screening, search for zip code 53706, and choose the session for “Housing – Dejope Residence Hall.” Employees can also call Quest at 855-623-9355 to make an appointment. A limited number of appointments are available. Second- and third-shift employees will be offered an opportunity for late-night free health screenings on Sept. 9; additional details will be available soon.
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Where to find updates on campus cooling issues
UW–Madison campus buildings are experiencing higher than normal temperatures and humidity due to a broken chilled water line. Campus is still open and operating, but many buildings will be warmer and some will be temporarily closed to the public and not be cooled at all. UW–Madison maintains a Campus Alerts web page with updates on the impacts to campus operations, including a list of buildings that are closed to the public. Information is provided in six languages.
The page also includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that address employee concerns, building operation, parking and transportation, and more. The FAQs are being updated as needed, so please be sure to check the Campus Alerts page regularly in the coming days and weeks. Employees with questions should contact their supervisor or manager for additional guidance.
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How employees can help conserve cooling on campus
Many in the UW–community have asked how they can help limit the impact of the broken chilled water line on campus buildings at this time. In a June 30 update, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer recommends cooling conservation steps such as turning off lights, limiting entry and exit of buildings, keeping blinds or window treatments closed, not opening windows to outside air, and turning off heat generating equipment not currently in use. Shared refrigerators should not be unplugged. Employees should not bring in a window or personal air conditioning device; standard personal fans are permitted. For additional details, visit the Campus Alerts web page.
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Women and Leadership Symposium registrations accepted through July 3
The Women and Leadership Symposium will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, July 14, 8:30 a.m.–3:25 p.m. at the Memorial Union. This event brings together engaged professionals for networking, professional development, and sharing of best practices. Symposium sessions will address topics such as relationship building, well-being, building influence, career management, and workplace skills. The event is open to UW–Madison employees and community members who are interested in women’s advancement. The registration fee of $100 for UW–Madison faculty and staff and UW affiliates includes the keynote, breakout sessions, continental breakfast, and lunch. Register by July 3 to secure your place at the conference.
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Reminder: Submit leave reports by June 30
All leave-eligible Faculty, Academic Staff, Limited Appointees, and FLSA-exempt University Staff are required to submit monthly leave reports, even if no leave was used. Employees must report leave as it is taken or enter a “No Leave Taken” at the end of the month. All missing leave reports for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) are due by June 30, 2026. Failure to submit leave for fiscal year 2026 by Sept. 30 will result in a permanent reduction of sick leave hours, excluding University Staff.
Employees with missing leave reports receive email reminders. Employees can also review and complete missing leave reports in Workday. Refer to this online resource from the Universities of Wisconsin for information on how to review missing leave reports, enter time off, and submit no leave taken requests.
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Professional development teaches employees how to increase their impact on workplace culture
Every UW–Madison employee can have a positive impact on the workplace. By developing skills in areas such as conflict management, active listening, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships, individuals can contribute to a rewarding work experience for themselves and others. Teams can also use intentional practices to enhance how they meet, communicate, and collaborate.
In July, Learning and Talent Development is offering several courses that can help UW employees contribute to a healthy and fulfilling work environment — one that builds trust, fosters high performance, and provides meaning and connection. These courses are open to all UW–Madison employees at no cost. Registration is now open, and space is limited.
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Campus bus detours and construction updates
Several campus construction projects are affecting local bus routes. Through Friday, all stops on Linden Drive between Charter and Babcock are closed, rerouting routes 28, 38, 65, 80 and 84 along Observatory Drive. Additionally, the southbound Randall Avenue stop is closed until further notice, affecting routes 80, D and O. Looking ahead, Linden Drive will close near Van Hise Hall at the end of July and affected bus routes will use the same Observatory Drive detour. Bus schedules and planned detours can change due to construction delays and other factors. To stay informed about bus schedules and detours, and to sign up for text/email alerts, visit Metro Transit’s website at cityofmadison.com/metro. For current campus construction projects, visit transportation.wisc.edu/construction.
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Today’s Ice Cream Social will move indoors
The employee appreciation Ice Cream Social scheduled for this afternoon will take place in the lobby of Birge Hall, 430 Lincoln Drive (accessible entrance on the building’s east side), due to weather concerns. All employees are invited to join the event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Babcock Ice Cream and non-dairy treats will be served. For more information about accessibility and transportation, as well as other event details, visit go.wisc.edu/2g3492.
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Campus Accessible Events guide updated and expanded
The campus Accessible Events guide supports event planners with inclusive design tips to make their events more seamlessly accessible for everyone across in-person, virtual, and hybrid spaces. Following these best practices can also reduce the need for people with disabilities to request reasonable accommodations. A recent update to the guide expands on physical site accessibility, provides guidelines for creating and delivering accessible content, and more.
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Resources to help employees and supervisors have career development conversations
Conversations about career development — during performance evaluations and throughout the year — are an important part of employee growth. Learning and Talent Development offers a number of free learning opportunities and resources to help employees take ownership of their careers and to help managers and supervisors provide guidance and support.
The Career Development@UW series of workshops offers strategies, tools, and resources to help employees navigate their career path effectively. Employees can develop their own step-by-step approach to Setting Career Goals with this online resource. Coaching and Developing Others is a free course that builds understanding of coaching as a tool and provides practice using real-world situations. Managers and supervisors will find resources for fostering trust-based dialogue and creating more intentional career conversations at Informal and Formal Career Conversations. Employees can prepare for these conversations using the self-paced module, It’s Your Career: Having Productive Career Development Conversations with Your Supervisor.