News for Employees
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Webinar teaches team communication skills
LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Communicating Cooperatively at Work, on Tuesday, July 28, noon‒1 p.m. Participants will learn about the importance of communication in team relationships; successful strategies for sending and receiving complex communications; five levels of listening; and communicating well in problem situations. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.
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Help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace
All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning about substance misuse, encouraging others to make healthy choices, and knowing where you or others can go for help, if needed. Review this information and find resources for drug and alcohol prevention at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.
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July 4 floating legal holiday
This year, July 4 is a floating legal holiday for eligible UW–Madison employees. Eligible employees are granted eight hours of floating legal holiday (prorated for part-time) when a legal holiday falls on a Saturday. Employees who have a floating legal holiday will be able to see the hours in their Legal Holiday balance in Workday. Information on how to view time off balances is available in the HR Guides for Employees. Employees will have until June 30, 2027, to use the floating legal holiday hours or they will be lost.
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Eligible employees can now enter leave banking in Workday
Faculty, University Staff, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees who are eligible to bank unused vacation or vacation carryover hours were recently notified of their eligibility on their Workday home page, under Announcements. Eligible University Staff may elect to bank unused vacation hours in a Banked Leave account and/or receive a cash payout. Eligible Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees may bank unused vacation hours in a Banked Leave account, but cash payouts are not permitted. Not all employees are eligible to enter banked leave; eligibility to bank leave is outlined in the UW–Madison Vacation Policy.
Eligible employees who wish to bank their leave must complete a form in Workday. Employees who submit the form will receive an email confirmation; this email will include information on when their Banked Leave balance will be updated in Workday. The deadline to elect banked leave is Sept. 30 of each year. Employees with questions should speak with their human resources contact or visit the GetHelpUW page on the Workday website.
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Parking permit updates from Transportation Services
The first round of permit assignments for the 2026–27 parking year have been emailed, and Round 1 offers must be accepted by July 21. If you applied but did not receive an assignment in the first round, no action is required; your application will remain on the waiting list for consideration in all future rounds. Employees who have not yet applied for 2026–27 parking can apply during Round 2, which runs through July 21. Additional opportunities to apply will continue throughout the summer. Visit transportation.wisc.edu for details.
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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.