Human Resources Updates
Posted April 21, 2020
April 21, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Just a friendly reassurance to employees that you have full access to your health benefits, so if you are sick, please stay home. Your health is too important to risk leaving your home when you are sick. Remember that in addition to the CMS health benefits already in place, you may also be eligible for leave and sick pay for qualifying reasons under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. As previously communicated, here’s a link to those additional leave provisions: Department of Labor Notice.
For those looking at their vacation balances, a vacation carryover extension period will be provided this year due to the Stay-at-Home Order. The intent right now would be that the extension period would equal the total amount of time the Order is in place, which would then be extended (added to) beyond September 30, 2020. Specific extension details will be communicated once the Order is lifted.
Staff Annual Reviews are coming due by June 30th. The reviews remain an important tool used in a variety of ways when it comes to job expectations. Our Employee Excellence Program forms and supervisory guidance are available in the “Forms” section within the HR website. Now might be an opportune time for managers and supervisors to complete and conduct their reviews virtually even without signatures. Signatures can occur later when we return to more on-campus operations. Again, we are still looking for staff evaluations to be submitted by June 30th.
Lastly, the annual Benefits Choice open enrollment period for Central Management Services (CMS) will be held May 1, 2020- May 31, 2020. This is our open enrollment period where changes can be made to our state insurance plan options, which will go into effect July 1, 2020. The state will be emailing a Benefits Choice booklet to all employees this week. Benefits Choice plans this year will contain several changes, including changes to premiums and plan design. We had hoped to hold a Benefits Choice vendor fair this week, but it was cancelled due to the Stay-at-Home Order. The State of Illinois is hoping to hold virtual Benefits Choice fairs this year. More information will be announced next week.
Human Resources remains actively engaged in meeting University and employee needs, so let us know if you have any questions by leaving a message at ext. 2190. We will do whatever we can to help. In the meantime, please stay well.
Bob Thumith
Director, Human Resources
