News for Employees
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Oct. 13 deadline to earn Well Wisconsin incentive
The deadline to complete the steps in the Well Wisconsin program and earn a $150 incentive is October 13, 2023. Participants must complete a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity. There is also a simplified process for people who do not have computer access, need language support, or find the online steps challenging to complete. For details, visit hr.wisc.edu/well-being/health-screenings.
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Annual Benefits Enrollment begins Sept. 25
The Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE) period is Sept. 25–Oct. 20, 2023. This is your opportunity to enroll in or change your benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Certain benefits require re-enrollment every year. There will be a limited number of benefits plan changes for the 2024 calendar year. Health insurance premiums for 2024 have increased. The annual deductible for the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Access HDHP has increased to $1,600 for individuals and $3,200 for families to comply with federal requirements. For details, visit wisconsin.edu/abe. You can prepare for Annual Benefits Enrollment by reviewing your current benefits elections in MyUW > Benefit Information. Additional resources, including helpful checklists and presentations, will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Event to provide benefits enrollment help, showcase campus resources
The Employee Benefits and Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Varsity Hall at Union South. Units and services from across campus will provide information about resources available to UW–Madison employees. Representatives from Benefits Services will be on hand to answer questions about benefits enrollment. A 60-minute session, “Benefits 2024: What You Need to Know,” will be presented at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:15 p.m. An Open Benefits Lab will be available for those who have made their 2024 benefits decisions and would like help enrolling using Self-Service. For more information about the fair, visit go.wisc.edu/employee-resource-fair.
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Important leave deadlines coming up on Sept. 30
The deadline for Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees (who have or had an active leave-eligible appointment) to submit missing leave reports for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022‒June 30, 2023) is Sept. 30, 2023. Leave reports must report either leave usage or “No Leave Taken” for every month of the fiscal year. If missing leave reports are not entered in MyUW by the Sept. 30 deadline, the employee will have their sick leave balance permanently reduced. Employees can check for any missing leave reports by going to MyUW > Time and Absence > Leave Reports. In addition, Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees with 12-month appointments who are eligible to bank unused vacation time must enter any banked leave in MyUW by Sept. 30. Employees who have questions should contact the human resources department in their school, college or division.
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Webinar teaches mindfulness skills
LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Mind-Body Wellness, on Thursday, September 28, noon‒1 p.m. Mind-Body Wellness offers attendees an opportunity to slow down and learn practical mindfulness exercises. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.
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Get a flu shot on campus at no cost
Everyone should be vaccinated for the flu annually. Getting vaccinated helps protect each of us in addition to limiting the spread of influenza. University Health Services has scheduled free flu shot clinics for employees and students through December 7 at multiple campus locations and various times of day. Employees must bring their Wiscard and their insurance card to the appointment. Employees without proof of insurance will still receive a flu shot at no cost. To view the list of clinics and schedule an appointment, visit go.wisc.edu/flu.
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New online resource provides COVID-19 information for campus
University Health Services (UHS) has developed a new COVID-19 information page that provides information related to guidance, testing, vaccination, and when to seek care. UHS also offers a general page about colds and upper respiratory infections. The previous website at covideresponse.wisc.edu has been retired. Employees and students seeking information about COVID-19, including what to do if you have symptoms or if you are seeking a vaccine, may visit the new web page at uhs.wisc.edu/covid. UHS continues to maintain disease surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses to monitor trends and provide timely campus updates and guidance as needed.
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Workshops enhance classroom teaching and learning
The Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring is offering three workshops in September and October for anyone who teaches or supports instruction. These workshops will share evidence-based practices that can engage students and enhance learning. They include Active Learning in a Large Lecture on Sept. 22; Course Design Pop-up on Oct. 4; and Equity and Inclusion in Group Work on Oct. 12. All workshops are two hours long and will be held in person. Learn more and register for these Teaching at UW workshops.
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Resources to help with the restart of student loan payments
All Federal Direct Student Loan payments paused during COVID-19 will resume in October 2023. UW‒Madison’s Office of Student Financial Aid has compiled resources for members of the UW community with federal student loans — including borrowers who had been paying prior to the COVID-19 payment pause and will be restarting their payments, as well as those who will be entering repayment for the first time since the COVID-19 payment pause began. Be aware that there are scams and fraudsters taking advantage of borrowers. The Student Financial Aid team provides trusted resources on their web page.
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New community of practice for student supervisors
The Student Employment Team in the Office of Student Financial Aid is creating a new community of practice (CoP) designed specifically for those who supervise students. The Student Supervisors CoP will connect student supervisors on a regular basis to troubleshoot, affirm and uplift their work, and share best practices and resources. A kickoff event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Union South. RSVP at explore.wisc.edu/StudentSupsCoP if you plan at attend.