Feb. 15, 2022
News you need
Vaccination requirements
All faculty and all staff in student-facing offices are required to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination (including booster, when eligible) or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Be sure to upload your vaccination documentation to the UD Health Portal.
All employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted. If you have not yet been vaccinated, there are many opportunities throughout the state, and a booster clinic is being offered Feb. 23 at the Pencader Dining Hall. If you have been vaccinated but have not submitted your documentation yet, you must upload your immunization record to the UD Health Portal. If you have gotten your booster, be sure to upload it to UD Health Portal. More information is available at the Working at UD site.
Masking on campus
The University requires that well-fitting masks be worn at all times indoors and when in crowded situations outdoors on the campus. Although the state’s indoor mask mandate expired Feb. 11, the University requirement remains in effect.
KN95 masks are highly recommended, and the University is providing one mask per week to faculty, staff and students. Faculty and staff can get masks from their individual department or unit. Please check with your HR liaison, business administrator, building manager and/or safety committee chair. Department administrators can order masks for their units directly from Environmental Health and Safety.
Performance Appraisal System Now Open
The performance appraisal system is now open for employees to begin the first step in the process, their self-appraisal. The assessment period measures performance from Feb. 1, 2021, through Jan. 31, 2022. Completed appraisals are due back to HR by April 15, 2022. To begin your appraisal, go to www.udel.edu/performanceappraisal. To help you set goals, we encourage you to view the online course, Setting Effective Goals, offered by Talent Development.
Overtime for Non-Exempt Staff
Beginning on March 1, 2022, UD WorkForce System will be the required method to track time for benefited non-exempt employees (with the exception of FOP union employees). Managers and timekeepers will be required to review and approve timesheets for this population every pay period. Payment of regular and supplemental earnings remain unchanged; only overtime will be extracted for payment from UD WorkForce. Payment via S-Contract form for overtime will be discontinued. Additional information, including Jobs Aids, will be posted to the UD WorkForce Website.
2021 1095-C Forms
2021 1095-C forms will be mailed to your current address on file no later than the IRS deadline of March 2, 2022. Refer to Payroll Tax Form 1095 for more information.
FYI
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Check out this month’s Talent Development courses.
Reminder: Additional Lab services for Highmark PPO
Effective July 1, 2021, if you are enrolled in the Highmark Comprehensive PPO Plan, Highmark added Quest Diagnostics as a preferred lab in addition to LabCorp for your lab services.
Featured Jobs
The University is seeking applicants for the following positions. Please share these position descriptions to help spread the word.
TIAA News and Information
America Saves Week–February 21-25, 2022: This campaign encourages individuals to do a financial check-in to get a clear view of their finances, set savings goals and create a plan to achieve them.
Individual counseling: 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. Learn more and register.
Student Loan Forgiveness Program (through TIAA and SAVI): Reducing your monthly student loan payment and working toward loan forgiveness could be getting much easier. Find the best federal repayment and forgiveness programs for your financial situation through this TIAA and SAVI program.
Work-Life
Office of Institutional Equity spring workshops
The Spring 2022 LEAD Ally Workshop schedule is now available via ConnectingU for all UD employees. Questions may be directed to Adam Foley at foley@udel.edu.
Spring Equity and Inclusion Book Club
The Office of Institutional Equity’s spring book club will engage participants in a discussion of Heather McGhee’s The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. The club will meet three times throughout the semester, and the event is open to the entire UD community. Learn more and register.
I Heart UD Giving Day 2022 – Project Applications Due March 18!
I Heart UD Giving Day will be on May 4, 2022. To promote a fundraising initiative in your college, department or unit, submit a project application at www.udel.edu/iheartUD by March 18. Contact Julie Donohue with any questions.
Thanks to You, Philanthropy Is Everywhere!
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations would like to show love and appreciation for the impact your giving makes on the programs, people and places. Watch this video, starring sophomore Azhir Jones, which really shows that no matter where you look at UD, philanthropy is everywhere. Thank you for keeping Delaware first in your philanthropy!
Employee Health and Wellbeing
Beth Finkle, director of Employee Health and Wellbeing (EHW) shares a welcome letter to faculty and staff, introducing key program focus areas: mental health support, creating a sense of belonging and the Future of Working at UD. Employees are invited to read the letter and participate in the EHW annual survey by Feb. 18 to share feedback anonymously to support culture change at UD.
Stay connected to EHW news and events, subscribe to receive the weekly wellbeing newsletter.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This virtual course is open monthly in partnership with NAMI DE at no cost. Please visit NAMI DE for information and to register.
Managing Well Six-Week Series
Healthy, connected and productive teams don’t just happen by chance. They require time, effort, and intention. In this six-week blended learning series starting March 16, you will be supported by self-paced learning and focused discussions to learn how to use wellbeing techniques to motivate your team, improve morale and create a positive workplace culture. Learn more and register.
UnDeniably Well Podcast
The UnDeniably Well podcast, presented by Employee Health and Wellbeing, features conversations with experts from the UD community designed to help spark curiosity, invest in yourself and others, explore connections and help you feel your absolute best! Listen to upcoming and past episodes.
Let’s Cook Reducetarian Meal Kits
Cook along with Employee Health and Wellbeing Chef Jen via Zoom to learn how to cook a reducetarian diet recipe with one of our premade meal kits! Learn more and register.
Personal training openings available
Ready to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine but unsure where to begin? Complete the Employee Health & Wellbeing Personal Training Interest Form for a free consultation with one of our certified personal trainers. Please visit Employee Health and Wellbeing’s website for more information.
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 until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. EAP can help with a wide variety of work and life issues.
This email is approved by Melissa L. Bard,
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
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