News for Employees
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Virtual Events in October Focus on Well-Being
UW–Madison employees are invited to participate in 31 days of CommUNITY Well-Being in the month of October. Online presentations, resources, and suggested actions will be offered throughout the month. Live sessions will be held during the week of October 19 and will be recorded for viewing later. The month’s events will include a Racial Healing & Transformation series, designed to raise awareness and build understanding of the impact of racism on health and well-being. This series will use sequential, cohort-based learning to explore community well-being through the lens of health equity and racial justice. All events are available to UW–Madison employees at no cost. To learn more and to register, visit hr.wisc.edu/wellness-symposium.
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Diversity Inventory Invites Submissions
The UW–Madison Diversity Inventory (DI), a centralized online database of diversity programs, events, and services on campus, launched a website to track UW–Madison’s progress toward creating a more inclusive community. Students, faculty, and staff have already added more than 600 initiatives to the database, with 42 percent of them representing student services. Initiatives range from professional workshops and graduation events to inclusive bathroom signage and innovative course curricula. The website features a searchable database of initiatives, interactive charts and graphs, and spotlights on outstanding initiatives. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit their diversity- and inclusion-related efforts to the DI database. View the database at diversityinventory.wisc.edu.
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Chancellor Blank's Update on COVID-19 Response
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued a blog post in which she addressed the number of positive COVID-19 tests on campus. The post explains actions that have been taken to protect the health of the UW–Madison community and planned next steps.
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Where to Find Updates on Campus Operations
A new web page on Campus Operations provides information on temporary changes to the status of some campus facilities—including dining services, research activities for undergraduate students, and more—during the current shift to remote instruction. The new page is part of the Smart Restart website, which provides updates for student, faculty, staff, and the community on UW–Madison’s response to the ongoing pandemic. Employees are encouraged to monitor the Smart Restart website regularly at smartrestart.wisc.edu.
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Family Caregiving Resources Online
Due to the pandemic, many UW–Madison employees are now facing additional family care responsibilities, which they must balance with their job responsibilities. These family caregiving needs may include child care, elder care, or care for family members impacted by COVID-19. To assist employees and supervisors who are navigating these challenges, UW–Madison has launched a new Family Caregiving website. The website contains guidance for both employees and supervisors on issues such as workplace flexibilities and leave options. Caregiving resources are also provided. More resources will be added over time. The website can be found at hr.wisc.edu/smart-restart/family-caregiving.
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Showcase 2020 Virtual Lunch & Learns
The Office of Strategic Consulting is hosting the Showcase 2020 Virtual Lunch & Learn Series beginning October 1 and running through November 12. Each one-hour session will provide an opportunity to expand one’s professional knowledge and share ideas with UW–Madison colleagues. The series highlights topics that are especially relevant right now, including change management. The Lunch and Learn Series is open to all faculty and staff at no cost. Space is limited in order to facilitate participant interaction. To learn more and to register, visit the Showcase 2020 website.
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Oct. 9 Deadline to Earn Well Wisconsin Incentive
UW–Madison employees must complete three wellness activities by October 9 in order to earn a $150 incentive through the Well Wisconsin program. This program, administered by StayWell, is open to employees and their spouses who are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program. This year, in response to the pandemic, new ways to meet the requirements have been added. At-home health screening kits are available and must be requested by September 25. Log in or set up an account on the StayWell website at wellwisconsin-staywell.com to get started, or contact StayWell toll-free at 1-800-821-6591.
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Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols for Employees
Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the campus community, Chancellor Blank announced a 14-day emphasis on health and safety protocols. While many of the temporary restrictions were aimed at curbing behaviors of undergraduate students, some also apply to UW–Madison employees in an effort to protect the health and safety of everyone in our campus community.
These enhanced protocols include wearing a face covering while on campus, including sidewalks and other outdoor spaces. It is permissible for an employee or student to remove their face covering when working alone on campus. In addition, employees should practice physical distancing of 6 feet or greater, on and off campus, inside and outside and even while wearing a face covering. For additional guidelines, go to go.wisc.edu/4371pc.
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Guidelines for Political Activity on Campus
As election day approaches, it is important for employees and supervisors to become familiar with the guidelines for political campaign involvement on campus. General guidelines are available for employees and students of the UW System. The document provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning political activity at UW System institutions, and directs employees and supervisors to the proper resources if further guidance is needed.
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On-Campus Apartments Now Open to University Staff
University Apartments, located on the northwest edge of UW–Madison’s campus, is now offering apartments in its Eagle Heights and University Houses neighborhoods to UW–Madison University Staff for the 2020–21 year. A special promotion is available on furnished or non-furnished apartments in Eagle Heights for those who sign a lease in September. New applicants for one of these units with a lease date before October 1 will receive the first month’s rent for free. To learn more, visit go.wisc.edu/6n6898.