News for Employees
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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.
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University Staff Must Use Floating Legal Holiday by Dec. 31
Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, is a floating legal holiday for eligible employees. University Staff employees must use this floating legal holiday by December 31, 2021. For University Staff employees, a floating legal holiday must be used by the end of the calendar year in which it was earned. If it is not used, it is lost and cannot be carried over into the new calendar year. Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited appointees who are eligible for the Dec. 25, 2021, floating legal holiday must use it by the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2022). A floating legal holiday occurs when a legal holiday falls on a Saturday.
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University Staff Must Use Specific Leave Balances by Dec. 31
The deadline for University Staff employees to use vacation carryover balances and personal holiday hours is Dec. 31, 2021. If this leave is not used by Dec. 31, 2021, it will be lost. This includes carried-over vacation hours that were granted in calendar year 2019 and 2020. The deadline to use vacation carryover balances that would have typically expired on Dec. 31, 2020, was extended until Dec. 31, 2021. This was first announced in March 2021 and was implemented in response to concerns about the challenges presented by the original deadline in light of the pandemic. Leave balances can be found under “Time and Absence” in MyUW. Employees who wish to verify their leave balances and the corresponding deadlines should contact the human resources department in their school, college, or division.
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UW–Madison Responds to Federal Vaccination Mandate
To comply with a broad federal order, all UW–Madison employees, including student hourlies, must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or receive a medical or religious accommodation, by Jan. 4. Currently, 95% of employees and students are fully vaccinated. Employees who have not yet provided proof of vaccination will be contacted by email.
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Showcase 2022 Call for Proposals
The Office of Strategic Consulting will be hosting the 22nd annual Showcase event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Union South. This free, day-long event brings together campus colleagues to share best practices, learn from each other’s successes, and connect. Proposals are now being accepted for 50- and 75-minute breakout sessions on topics related to organizational effectiveness. Presenters have the option of offering their session in person or via livestream. Suggested topics and evaluation criteria are available on the Showcase 2022 website. Proposals should be submitted by Tuesday, Dec. 7.
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Campus Inclement Weather Guidelines
As winter weather approaches, employees are encouraged to review the campus inclement weather guidelines. The chancellor is responsible for determining if classes will be canceled or postponed or some university services suspended due to inclement weather. Colleges, schools and other campus units will not close on their own. Employees should use discretion regarding whether they can safely travel to work and request leave if needed. Additional guidance is provided in UW–Madison’s Inclement Weather Policy; see policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5055.
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Changes to 403(b) Program Explained
The UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP), formerly the Tax-Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Program, is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan managed by the UW System and an advisory committee specifically for UW System employees. Changes and enhancements to the program are now being implemented. The new recordkeepers for the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (UW 403(b) SRP) are TIAA and Fidelity. The investment line-up has also been updated. An upcoming virtual Town Hall on November 15, 11 a.m.–noon, will review changes participants may want to make before 2022.
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Appreciation Event for Second and Third Shift Staff on November 17
“Celebrating Our Community: A late-night event for second and third shift staff” will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Union South. The event will include a welcome from campus leaders, a buffet meal, and a visit from Bucky Badger. All second and third shift employees are encouraged to attend. Employees should notify their supervisor if they plan to attend. The event is co-sponsored by the DDEEA and the VCFA. Event information is available in multiple languages at go.wisc.edu/a57725.