The deadline for University Staff employees to use vacation carryover balances, personal holiday hours, and floating legal holidays granted for 2022 is Dec. 31, 2022. If this leave is not used by Dec. 31, 2022, it will be lost. Carried-over vacation hours that were granted in calendar year 2021 must be used or banked (if eligible) by Dec. 31. In addition, floating legal holidays occur on Jan. 1, Dec. 24, and Dec. 31, 2022, and University Staff must use these floating legal holidays by Dec. 31, 2022. Leave balances can be found under “Time and Absence” in MyUW at my.wisc.edu. Employees who wish to verify their leave balances and the corresponding deadlines should contact their local human resources department.

With Election Day approaching, employees are reminded of the UW–Madison policy regarding taking time off work to vote. In the unlikely event that employees cannot vote outside of work hours, they may vote during their scheduled work hours as long as they provide their supervisor with a written request prior to Election Day. Employees can arrange a flexible schedule that will allow them to vote, use their earned paid leave, or take an unpaid leave of absence (if unable to adjust their schedule or use earned paid leave balances). Details are available in the Leaves of Absence for Voting and Serving as an Election Official policy at policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5059.

The contributions of United States veterans and service members will be recognized at a free breakfast on Friday, Nov. 11, 9–10:30 a.m., in the Main Lounge at the Memorial Union. UW students, staff and faculty, and the public are all welcome to attend. The event is hosted by the Wisconsin Union and University Veteran Services at UW–Madison. At 10:30 a.m., all are invited to join the UW–Madison chapter of Student Veterans of America for a flag dedication ceremony on Bascom Hill.

November is Native American Heritage Month. The Indigenous Student Center Coalition has prepared a diverse portfolio of events to recognize current issues, celebrate successes, and commit to a better future. There will be a flag ceremony honoring thirteen Native Nations with ancestral ties to Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 4, 4–5 p.m., at the Pyle Center. Visit wisc.edu/native-november for a full calendar of events.

UW–Madison employees working in Human Resources (HR), along with non-HR employees, may be nominated for a 2022 HR Partner Team Award. The award will recognize two teams that modeled consultative partnership throughout the COVID pandemic. Any UW employee may nominate a team of two or more employees for this award. The team of people nominated can be within one unit or across different units at UW. At least one member of the team must perform HR work. The award is sponsored by the Office of Human Resources. Nominations are due this Friday, Nov. 4.