Working at UW

Benefits Open Enrollment begins October 6

mgardner6 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:08:49 +0000

The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 6–October 31, 2025. 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 2026. Changes made during this period will be effective January 1, 2026.

Benefits-eligible employees can find information about how to prepare for benefits enrollment online. Employees are also encouraged to attend upcoming virtual and in-person information sessions to learn about benefits options and how to enroll. This information session will also be offered in person at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Oct. 14. A daytime session will be offered in English, Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepali on Oct. 8, and a late-night session for the second and third shifts will be offered in all languages on Oct. 15. Details and additional resources to assist with benefits enrollment are available at benefits.wisc.edu/2026.

Save the date for Employee Benefits and Resource Fair

mgardner6 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:08:34 +0000

The Employee Benefits and Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Varsity Hall at Union South. The event features resources and presentations that can help with benefits enrollment for 2026. The Benefits Open Enrollment period runs from Oct. 6–Oct. 31, 2025. Representatives from Benefits Services will be on hand to answer questions, and a 60-minute session, “Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know,” will be presented at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 12:45 p.m. An Open Lab will be available 9 a.m.–3 p.m. for those who have made their 2026 benefits decisions and would like help enrolling or making changes through Workday.

Units and services from across campus will have representatives on hand to introduce resources and opportunities available to UW–Madison employees. Employees may also attend free sessions to learn about resources for families, retirement planning, and more. For details, visit go.wisc.edu/employee-resource-fair.

Workshop teaches skills for navigating difficult conversations

mgardner6 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:08:21 +0000

An upcoming workshop will teach UW–Madison faculty and staff how to navigate difficult conversations effectively, so that they can contribute to positive work cultures and relationships. The three-hour workshop, Navigating Difficult Conversations: Healthy and Effective Approaches, will be held online on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and repeated on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Participants will be given a framework for engaging in healthy conversations and will have an opportunity to practice in small groups. This program is part of the Inclusion@UW program from Learning and Talent Development. There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited and advance registration is required.

Fall 2025 release adds new features to Workday

mgardner6 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:43:00 +0000

Workday’s Fall 2025 release went live on Saturday, Sept. 20. The release includes new features and enhancements affecting all Workday users. This release marks the first major update since the Universities of Wisconsin launched Workday in July 2025. Feature releases happen twice a year, typically in March and September. Workday support documents and training materials are being updated to help employees easily and quickly adapt to the new features. For Workday questions or support, explore Get Help resources on the Workday website.

Registration deadline approaching for Leadership and Management Development Conference

mgardner6 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:42:42 +0000

The annual Leadership and Management Development Conference will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22 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. The registration fee is $135 for employees of UW–Madison and affiliates. Register by October 7 to secure your participation at the conference.

October 17 deadline to earn Well Wisconsin incentive

mgardner6 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:42:31 +0000

The Well Wisconsin program supports participants in meeting their health and well-being goals. Those who complete the program steps by the Oct. 17, 2025, 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. Learn more at go.wisc.edu/w7l5m8. To request a language interpreter, call the Well Wisconsin HelpLine at 800-821-6591. Employees may also speak with a Well Wisconsin representative at the upcoming Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Oct. 14 at Union South.

Town halls to discuss student evaluation of teaching

mgardner6 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:42:21 +0000

An ad hoc committee of faculty, academic staff, and students has developed recommendations for a policy aimed at improving the quality of teaching data from student evaluations and how the data are used, in order to comply with UW Board of Regents policy. At two upcoming town hall meetings on Oct. 3 and 8, committee leaders will present the recommendations to the campus community for feedback. The town halls will be held via Zoom. Register to participate.

Set up a My Benefits account now to access benefits enrollment system

mgardner6 — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:21:11 +0000

The Benefits Open Enrollment period will be Monday, Oct. 6–Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. This is an annual opportunity for benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to most benefits for 2026. All benefits-eligible employees must create a My Benefits account to access the new benefits enrollment system, My Insurance Benefits. Creating an account is a one-time registration process. Employees should complete this process using their personal email address (not a wisc.edu address) before Benefits Open Enrollment begins. This will prevent any login issues that could delay enrollment. Review complete instructions on how to Set Up an Account in My Benefits. Employees with questions should contact the human resources office in their unit.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training available in Workday

mgardner6 — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:20:59 +0000

The Cybersecurity Awareness Training for employees is now available in Workday. Employees will receive a notification via Workday 30 days before they are due to complete their training. Because the Workday training has known accessibility barriers, an alternative training is offered in Canvas. If you have concerns about completing this training in Workday, please request the Canvas “Alternative Cybersecurity Awareness Training” course from your Divisional Disability Representative or your human resources office. Paper-based training is available for employees who do not use computers in their UW–Madison job and for employees who need language support. Employees must be assigned the paper-based training by their supervisor or human resources contact. If you have any questions about the training assignment in Workday, please submit a GetHelpUW ticket.

CIO listening sessions scheduled for this fall

mgardner6 — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:20:39 +0000

University information technology (IT) professionals can share feedback about challenges and opportunities with Chief Information Officer Didier Contis during six listening sessions this fall. The 90-minute sessions will gather input to shape CIO priorities for the next year. These sessions are for university employees involved in planning, developing, delivering, supporting or maintaining IT services.