Feb. 15, 2021 News you need Planning for a Healthy Spring Semester The spring semester at the University of Delaware will feature more face-to-face classes and activities, so the need for everyone to continue practicing healthy behaviors and protecting the wellbeing of our community is our top priority. It is important for everyone to be knowledgeable about safety protocols, vaccinations and testing requirements, including actions that you need to take both before and after your arrival on campus. Faculty and staff who are coming to campus regularly are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test and the result within 72 hours before returning to campus. After that initial test, the University recommends that faculty and staff get tested once a month. Learn more. COVID Leave Human Resources has implemented a COVID Leave policy effective Jan. 1, 2021, available to all benefitted employees except those covered by the AAUP, University of Delaware Chapter, collective bargaining agreement. Through Dec. 31, 2021, the University may provide up to 22 workdays of COVID Leave for eligible employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been instructed by a healthcare provider or public health professional to quarantine, isolate or monitor their symptoms. Employees should submit COVID leave requests via Time off Requests (TORs) in UD WorkForce using the new COVID leave bank. Learn more. Performance appraisals It’s that time of year again: Performance appraisals are coming up soon. The appraisal process provides a written record of an employee's major job duties, goals and competencies, as well as the supervisor's assessment of performance. The goal is to improve job understanding, encourage effective performance and establish goals that support unit and career development. In the upcoming weeks, we will provide additional information regarding dates and expectations. FYI TIAA Webinars to Support Your Financial Wellbeing TIAA offers webinars on a variety of financial topics. February webinars include foundations of investing, market proofing your retirement, managing income and debt, saving for your ideal retirement and understanding health savings accounts. Sessions are available on demand for 90 days following the live webinar. Access virtual TIAA counseling by phone or on any device and learn about your retirement savings, managing debt and your investment strategy. Meetings are highly secure and private. Schedule a virtual counseling session. Featured jobs The University is seeking applicants for the following positions. Please share these position descriptions to spread the word. Work-life Employee Health and Wellbeing Connection is caring; when we care about one another, we contribute to a thriving culture here at UD. Join our growing community of Health and Wellbeing, connect with your colleagues in many ways and don’t forget to subscribe to our Wellbeing Weekly to stay up to date with all of our community events, programs, resources and tools. Spreading the Love During this month of love, the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) office is showing love and appreciation for UD donors with special Valentine email messages. Every gift for University people and programs, including those from faculty and staff, makes a meaningful difference—on and off campus—by providing necessary resources, transformational experiences and unparalleled opportunities. Also, take some time for self-care this month by taking a time out from work and home life with DAR’s award-winning Blue Hen Brain Break, recognized by CASE) with a silver medal in the District II Accolades Award. Fighting for a Cure UDance is a yearlong effort to raise awareness and funds for the fight against childhood cancer. This effort culminates annually with a 12-hour dance marathon, scheduled this year on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Support from our UD faculty and staff is vital in thefight to beat childhood cancer. Donate to the UD Faculty and Staff fundraising page to support the mission of UDance and The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Sign up for the UDance Faculty and Staff Newsletter to receive more updates and information about UD's fight against childhood cancer and how you can make a difference leading up to the virtual event. New Employee Assistance Program Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is now being provided through ComPsych® GuidanceResources®. This is a free program available exclusively for State of Delaware Group Health Plan non-Medicare members and their dependents. Those not eligible to enroll in the Group Health Plan will have access through March 2021. EAP can help with a wide variety of work and life issues. Spring Book Club The Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusions popular book club is returning for Spring 2021, when the selection will be White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson. Participants will meet virtually on three separate occasions throughout the spring semester, beginning in late February. Registration is available now.
This email is approved by Jared Aupperle, Interim Vice President for Human Resources |
