News for Employees
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Campus Mental Health Services Support Well-Being
UW–Madison employees are encouraged to take care of their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of campus-based resources are available that employees may find helpful. The Department of Psychiatry offers the UW Psychiatry COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Guide, a collection of online resources that offers expert tips, coping strategies, and tools to support well-being. LifeMatters also offers a collection of resources designed to enhance many aspects of well-being. When personal assistance is needed, UW employees, significant others, and their families have access to free, confidential counseling on personal or professional concerns from both the Employee Assistance Office and LifeMatters. The Employee Assistance Office (EAO) offers appointments for phone or video chats Monday through Friday during business hours. For 24/7 access to counselors, contact EAO partner LifeMatters. Visit hr.wisc.edu/employee-assistance-office for details.
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Financial Relief and Flexibility for TSA 403(b) Participants
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes provisions related to retirement accounts that offer both financial relief and flexibility to plan participants. The UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) has adopted these provisions. The CARES Act allows for distributions from the plan before December 31, 2020, with no early withdrawal penalties or mandatory withholding for a plan participant who has a COVID-19 event. The CARES Act also includes specific relief for participant loans from retirement accounts, including a temporary increase in the maximum amount participants can borrow and an extension on loan payment dates. Participants must have a COVID-19 event to be eligible. Additional provisions and requirements apply. Please note that the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) does not allow hardship distributions or loans. Contact your TSA provider for more information.
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New Resource for Managers and Supervisors
A new online resource is designed to support UW–Madison managers and supervisors as they lead teams during uncertain times. Leading Teams during Disruption offers tools and recommendations that can help managers and supervisors respond with skill, confidence, and care to their team’s needs. The content also includes resources to help managers and supervisors take care of their own well-being. Best practices are suggested for responding to questions and concerns, discussing work expectations, maintaining team morale, and more. The new web page is the most recent addition to the collection of online tools for managers and supervisors from Learning and Talent Development.
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UW–Madison Announces Additional Cost-Control Measures
Chancellor Rebecca Blank notified employees today that UW–Madison will be implementing additional expense reductions, including employee furloughs, in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university finances. The cost-saving measures include campus-wide furloughs, leadership pay cuts, a Work-Share program, position-specific furloughs, and possible reassignments. The largest financial contributions will come from campus leadership and the highest earners. These steps will take effect no earlier than May 15 and continue through October 31, 2020.
These short-term actions are estimated to save up to $30 million toward the more than $100 million shortfall the university is facing. These steps follow other actions that have already been taken to control costs, including canceling new investments, freezing travel, making changes to infrastructure projects, redoubling efforts to enroll a strong freshman class, and more.
The chancellor stressed that protecting the health and safety of our community is the university’s first priority. She expressed gratitude to all UW-Madison employees for their important role in the campus response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special thank you to those working onsite in essential capacities to preserve campus operations. The full text of the chancellor’s message can be viewed online and has been translated into multiple languages.
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Furlough Information for Employees Online
The Office of Human Resources is providing furlough information online at hr.wisc.edu/covid19/furlough. Employees will find information on the various types of furlough and how they will be implemented, as well as details on the Work-Share program, reassignments, and voluntary leaves of absence. Details are also provided on leave provisions, possible eligibility for unemployment benefits, and employee benefits during furlough. Translations of key materials into other languages will be added in the coming days. Employees are encouraged to review this information, including the frequently asked questions, in order to better understand how the cost-saving measures may affect them. Employees will receive notification of their status and additional information in May.
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Where to Find Help with Furlough and Leave Topics
UW-Madison is offering a variety of resources for employees who have individual questions about furlough, leave, and related topics. Employees are encouraged to contact the human resources (HR) department in their school, college, or division. A list of HR contacts can be found at hr.wisc.edu/contact. The Office of Human Resources also offers assistance and can be contacted at 608-265-2257 or furlough@ohr.wisc.edu. For language assistance, employees may contact Cultural Linguistic Services (CLS). Direct line phone numbers for each language can be found at hr.wisc.edu/cls.
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Where to Find COVID-19 Updates for Campus
Employees can find information on UW–Madison’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic online at covid19.wisc.edu. The site offers information on campus operations and services, health guidance, travel, workplace issues, and more. In addition, the Office of Human Resources has a website dedicated to human resources issues at hr.wisc.edu/covid19. This website provides information on issues such as reporting to work, telecommuting, leave policies, health and well-being, and more. UW employees are encouraged to visit both covid19.wisc.edu and hr.wisc.edu/covid19 regularly and to check these sites for answers to frequently asked questions.
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Employees May Complete New W-4 Form Online
In December 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new Form W-4 designed to help employees better estimate accurate tax withholding throughout the year. Completion of this new form is not required; however, some employees may be able to avoid having too much or too little federal income tax withheld by completing a new W-4 form. Employees are encouraged to review the new form and their individual tax situation. The IRs offers a Tax Withholding Estimator that can help you determine how to have the correct amount of tax withheld from your paycheck. Employees who wish to complete a new Form W-4 may do so online via Self Service. To view your current tax withholding information and make any changes, go to MyUW and click on “Update W-4” in the Payroll Information module. A tip sheet for completing the form is also provided.
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Connect, Learn and Grow Series Launches
A new online series, Connect, Learn and Grow, offers online learning and connection for UW–Madison employees. The series will feature a variety of speakers and topics, with a new episode posted online each Wednesday. Episodes will continue to be available online after they are posted. In the first episode, real UW employees have a conversation about what they are doing to find balance and motivation in these challenging times. Connect, Learn and Grow is one of several offerings available at no cost in the Virtual Learning program from Learning and Talent Development.
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Ombuds Office Helps with Work-Related Concerns
The Ombuds team serves the UW–Madison community with confidential guidance with work-related challenges, whether they relate to the new challenges presented by COVID-19 or to other issues. During the “Safer at Home” order, the Ombuds team is available via phone and video chat. Ombuds work with UW faculty and staff to collaboratively explore concerns, clarify issues, and consider options and resources. The services of the Ombuds office are available at no cost to all UW faculty and staff, including graduate students and post docs. To set up an appointment, leave a voice message at 608-265-9992, or send an email to uwombuds@mailplus.wisc.edu. A member of the Ombuds team will respond within 24 hours. For more information about Ombuds, visit ombuds.wisc.edu.