News for Employees
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University Staff Have Until End of Year to Swap Sick Leave
University Staff who used sick leave in 2021 may be able to change the type of leave they used and instead use personal holiday, floating holiday, vacation, or vacation carryover hours they have accrued. An employee may wish to consider a “sick leave swap” if they have unused leave that would expire at the end of the calendar year. Employees may also wish to consider swapping sick leave to reduce or maintain Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) premiums or to take advantage of deferred enrollment into the ICI program during the ICI Annual Review. Any requests to swap one type of leave for another must be submitted by Dec. 30, 2021. Employees should contact their local human resources office with any questions.
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TeachOnline@UW Winter Cohort Accepting Applications
In the Winter Session 2022 of the TeachOnline@UW learning community, instructors will explore techniques, strategies, and practices to help identify and hone a plan for connecting with students and managing an online course. The Facilitation & Management course takes place online Dec. 27, 2021, to Jan. 21, 2022, with webinars held from 9–10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, 14, and 21. Apply by Dec. 20, 2021.
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Showcase 2022 Call for Posters
Showcase 2022 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, at Union South. The Office of Strategic Consulting is now inviting proposals for posters to exhibit at Showcase. Posters should tell the story of an improvement, innovation, or best practice that was implemented. Resources for poster exhibitors are available online. Poster proposals should be submitted by Tuesday, Jan. 25. Registration to attend Showcase is now open to faculty, staff, students, and guests at no cost. For details, visit showcase.wisc.edu.
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Dec. 31 Deadline for University Staff to Request Leave Conversion
Eligible University Staff employees have an annual opportunity to bank set amounts of unused vacation or vacation carryover hours and/or elect to receive a cash payout. All banking or payout requests must be submitted no later than Dec. 31, 2021. Employees cannot bank or receive a cash payout for personal and legal holidays. Employees can review their leave balances and submit their vacation leave banking request in MyUW. To check leave balances, go to MyUW > Time and Absence > Timesheet > Absence Balances. Conversion Eligibility will be displayed between the Posted leave balances and the Projected leave balances. Employees who need assistance should speak with their supervisor or local human resources contact.
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Pre-Select UW 403(b) Investments by Dec. 10
The UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP), formerly the Tax-Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Program, is implementing changes and enhancements to the program. The new recordkeepers for the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (UW 403(b) SRP) are TIAA and Fidelity. Employees who have an existing account with TIAA or Fidelity through UW System (opened prior to Oct. 22, 2021) are able to pre-select their 2022 investments if they act by Dec. 10, 2021. Employees who elect TIAA or Fidelity between Oct. 23 and Dec. 10 will be able to pre-select investments once they receive notification from their new recordkeeper that an account has been established. The core investment line up, counseling sessions, presentations, and additional information can be found on the UW 403(b) Program Enhancements website.
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Shop the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
The 2021 Holiday Gift Guide offers gift ideas produced or inspired by UW–Madison. Gifts include Badger gear and sports tickets, arts-related items, foods, and Wisconsin-related publications, including a poster, a wall calendar, and holiday cards. Find the Gift Guide at umark.wisc.edu/gift-guide.
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Guidance for a Safe Thanksgiving Recess and Mask Policy Update
Last week, in a campuswide email, the Office of the Chancellor provided travel guidance for the Thanksgiving recess. Precautions include getting your COVID-19 vaccine if you have not yet done so, avoiding gatherings if you are sick or develop symptoms of COVID-19, and wearing a mask when traveling. Regardless of your vaccination status, get tested if you are have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
UW–Madison’s requirement that masks be worn in indoor spaces is being extended to Jan. 15, 2022. The extension to mid-January will help reduce health concerns during a time when many members of the campus community are traveling and when COVID-19 cases are rising again in other parts of our state and region. This also provides time for employees and students with children ages 5 to 11 to have their children vaccinated. For additional details and updates, visit covidresponse.wisc.edu.
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Some Campus Parking Restrictions Waived on Friday
Transportation Services will waive some campus parking restrictions this Friday to accommodate bus riders unable to easily travel to campus during Metro’s reduced holiday service. Most surface parking lots will not require a permit for unsigned permit parking stalls. Campus bus routes will operate on a recess schedule on Friday, Nov. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 27. For details, visit transportation.wisc.edu.
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Lab Managers Will Meet to Share Ideas and Resources
The Lab Management Community of Practice will meet on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.–noon at Union South. This free group is for anyone who is in a lab management role on the UW–Madison campus, including those in research labs, core labs, and instructional labs. The Lab CoP is welcoming new and returning members with an in-person kick-off event. Registration is requested.
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Help Make UW–Madison a Drug-Free Workplace
All faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning the facts about substance abuse, encouraging others to avoid substance abuse, and knowing where you or others can go for help with a drug or alcohol problem. The laws and expectations regarding substance abuse apply to all members of the UW–Madison campus community. You can review this information and find resources for drug and alcohol abuse prevention at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.