A second round of employee furloughs will begin for most employees in January as a result of the financial challenges faced by UW–Madison due to the ongoing pandemic. The furlough structure will be the same as the structure used for the 2020 furlough program. Employees will have until June 30, 2021, to meet their Round Two furlough obligation. The impact of the furloughs will be partly offset by a long-planned 2 percent pay raise that employees will receive beginning in January, 2021. A minimum wage of $15 per hour for hourly workers (not including temporary and student employees) will take effect January 17, 2021. Chancellor Blank announced these changes and reviewed the university’s budget projections in a message to campus on Monday, Oct. 26.

UW–Madison employees who plan to vote in-person on Election Day, Nov. 3, should contact their supervisor in advance for approval of their voting plan. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and voters could encounter lines at some polling places. Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible when evaluating reasonable requests to use paid leave time or flexing work time in order to vote. Voters may also vote early in-person or vote by absentee ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Additional information is available at elections.wi.gov.

UW–Madison employees can receive help managing their careers from Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS). A career counselor who specializes in counseling employees will assist employees with their career and professional development. This free service can help employees clarify short-and long-term goals, identify learning opportunities, explore job possibilities within UW–Madison or elsewhere, and keep growing in the job they currently hold. Taking time to assess one’s career and professional development can be particularly important in light of the change and uncertainly caused by the pandemic. To schedule a virtual appointment with career counselor April McHugh, contact ACSSS at 608-263-6960 or advising@dcs.wisc.edu.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability has partnered with Focus on Energy to offer exclusive discounts on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR^® LEDs and water saving kits. For a limited time, these items can be purchased online at techniartpopup.com/focusonenergy_uw. This offer is open to Wisconsin residents within the UW–Madison community through November 2.

University Housing Dining is now offering Dinner by Dining. Hot meals for 2, 4 or 6 guests will be ready for curbside pick-up at Carson’s Market. All packages include the meal for that week, plates, flatware, napkins, and any necessary condiments. Orders can be placed at go.wisc.edu/dinner-by-dining.