Effective today, students and employees must have a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter a building on the main campus. The Badger Badge screen on your Safer Badgers app will need to show a green checkmark (access granted). UW–Madison has a website at covidresponse.wisc.edu that includes answers to many common questions about COVID-19 testing and safety measures. If you still have questions, contact covidresponse@vc.wisc.edu.

UW–Madison leadership would like to encourage employees to tend to their well-being by taking the time off they have earned. Employees are also reminded of the upcoming deadlines to use personal holiday hours or vacation carryover. Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees with 12-month (annual basis) appointments must use all carried-over vacation and personal holiday hours by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. For University Staff, all carried-over vacation and all personal holiday hours must be used by December 31, the end of the calendar year. Any vacation carryover or personal holiday hours remaining after these respective deadlines will be lost. Leave balances can be found under “Time and Absence” in MyUW. Employees who wish to verify their leave balances and the corresponding deadlines should contact the human resources department in their school, college, or division.

As previously announced, UW–Madison employees who are currently paid biweekly will have most deductions for benefits split evenly over the first two biweekly paychecks starting with the April 22, 2021 paycheck. UW System will be holding a virtual Town Hall to review this change on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 2-3 p.m. The event will also be recorded for viewing at a later time. Details available online include frequently asked questions, financial resources, and contact information for employees who need assistance. Visit hr.wisc.edu/split-benefits-deductions.

The 22nd annual Showcase event, hosted by the Office of Strategic Consulting, is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2021. The all-virtual event will feature breakout sessions, poster flash talks, and a keynote presentation. Keely Killpack, PhD and change strategy consultant, will deliver the keynote presentation. Showcase provides an opportunity for colleagues from across campus to share best practices, learn from each other’s successes, and connect. The free event is open to faculty, staff, students, and community members.

America Saves Week, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22–Friday, Feb. 26, provides free resources that can help UW–Madison employees achieve financial well-being, work towards their savings goals, and prepare for retirement. Events include live webinars on a variety of financial topics, individual counseling sessions with UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) providers, and free credit check-ups with UW Credit Union. To learn more and to register for live webinars or individual sessions, visit wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/americasaves.