News for Employees
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Upcoming sessions help employees with benefits enrollment
UW–Madison employees can enroll in or change benefits for the upcoming year now through Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Certain benefits require re-enrollment every year. Employees are encouraged to attend upcoming virtual and in-person sessions that will provide information about benefits options and how to enroll. A 60-minute overview, “Benefits 2025: What You Need to Know,” will be offered virtually throughout the enrollment period. This information session will also be offered in person at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 8. A daytime session will be offered in English, Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepali on Oct. 3, and a late-night session for the second and third shifts will be offered in all languages on Oct. 9. Details about these sessions and additional resources to assist with benefits enrollment are available at benefits.wisc.edu/2025.
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Well Wisconsin deadline is Oct. 11 to earn incentive
The Well Wisconsin program supports participants in meeting their health and well-being goals. Those who complete the program steps by the Oct. 11, 2024, deadline will earn a $150 prepaid card. UW employees, retirees, and their spouses who are currently enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance plan are eligible to participate. Participants must complete a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity. A simplified process is available for those who do not have computer access, need language support, or find the online steps challenging to complete. Learn more at hr.wisc.edu/well-being/health-screenings. Call WebMD with any questions at 1-800-821-6591.
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Registration deadline approaching for Leadership and Management Development Conference
The annual Leadership and Management Development Conference will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Union South. The conference provides a full day of professional development to help emerging and advanced leaders develop the skills to lead and manage more effectively. Breakout sessions will address topics such as inclusive leadership, working in teams, process improvement, workplace culture, navigating burnout, leveraging generative AI, career growth, and more. The registration fee is $135 for employees of UW–Madison and affiliates. Register by Oct. 14 to secure your participation at the conference.
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Annual Benefits Enrollment begins Monday, Sept. 30
The Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE) period is September 30–October 25, 2024. 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 2025. Changes made during this period will be effective January 1, 2025. There will be a limited number of benefits plan changes for the 2025 calendar year. For details, visit wisconsin.edu/abe. You can prepare for Annual Benefits Enrollment by reviewing your current benefits elections. Go to MyUW, locate the Benefit Information tile and click “View Benefits.” Presentations and other resources to assist with benefits enrollment can be found at benefits.wisc.edu/2025. Additional resources will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Engineering campus construction traffic update
As the Engineering Drive utility project continues, roadway and sidewalk closures that began September 23 are affecting Engineering Drive access for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Please use designated detour routes and use extra caution when traveling in this area of campus. Find details and maps on the Transportation Services website at transportation.wisc.edu.
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Registration open for 2024 Diversity Forum in November
The 2024 Diversity Forum, Threads of Belonging: Navigating Differences and Building Community, is now open for registration. Hosted by UW–Madison’s Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA), the forum will take place at Union South on November 13 and 14 with in-person and online attendance options. Author and entrepreneur Steve L. Robbins and playwright, performer, educator and producer Fanshen Cox are keynote presenters. The Diversity Forum is free and open to the public. Register online.
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Proposals sought for Information & Technology Leadership Conference
The university is seeking proposals for the 2024 Information & Technology Leadership Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 3, featuring keynote speaker Laura Patterson, former chief information officer of the University of Michigan. Proposals should engage the UW information and technology community in conversations around leadership development, problem-solving, team building or other aspects of leadership. Proposals are due by October 10.
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Save the date for Employee Benefits and Resource Fair
The Employee Benefits and Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Varsity Hall at Union South. Units and services from across campus will provide information about resources available to UW–Madison employees. Employees may also attend free sessions on topics related to financial well-being, retirement, and more.
The event also features resources and presentations that can help with Annual Benefits Enrollment for 2025. The Annual Benefits Enrollment period runs from Sept. 30–Oct. 25, 2024. Representatives from Benefits Services will be on hand to answer questions, and a 60-minute session, Benefits 2025: What You Need to Know, will be presented at 9:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. An Open Benefits Lab will be available for those who have made their 2025 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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New institutional and public position statements policy
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin last week introduced a new institutional and public position statements policy. The new policy specifies when and by whom public position statements may be issued on behalf of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and its units. The policy can be found at policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-206.
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Copilot meets generative AI needs for campus community
Microsoft Copilot is a powerful and secure generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that is available to all UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff. Copilot offers free access to OpenAI’s GPT-4 and DALL-E 3 models, as well as up-to-date information from the web. Unlike public AI tools, Copilot protects user privacy and university data when users are logged in with their NetID. UW–Madison recommends Copilot as the approved AI chatbot that follows university data protection policies. Faculty and staff who use generative AI are encouraged to use Copilot for university work.