This is an important time to make sure that your personal information in MyUW is up to date. This includes your addresses, phone numbers, legal and preferred name, emergency contacts, and more. You are strongly encouraged to review and update your personal information in light of the current health crisis. This will help ensure that you receive important notices regarding benefits, pay, and UW employment. To review and update your home address and other personal information, log in to MyUW at my.wisc.edu and go to the “Personal Information” module. If you need assistance, contact your local Human Resources department at hr.wisc.edu/contact.

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.

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.

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.