Show Printable VersionCampus Newsletter Connection
HR Communications e-NewsletterFebruary 2013
General Announcements
Human Resources Unveils New Website
Take a moment and check out the new HR website at http://www.uh.edu/human-resources/ we want your feedback on the site so let us hear from you http://www.uh.edu/human-resources/hr-feedback/index.php
Final Stage of 2012 ePerformance Process Begins
Managers have been notified to begin rating employee’s performance for 2012. The deadline for managers to complete all 2012 ePerformance documents is April 1, 2013. For more information on the performance management process go to: Performance and Communication Resources
Staff Excellence Award Nominations Now Open
Each year the University honors a select group of employees through the Staff Excellence Awards. Nominations are now open and we encourage each college and department to nominate exceptional staff. This year’s awards will be presented to outstanding staff members at an awards ceremony held in May. If you are interested in nominating a UH staff member for consideration, please go to the HR Employee Recognition page: Human Resources/Employee Recognition and read the guidelines and FAQs provided to learn more about the process.
Emerging Excellence is Now Accepting Applications for the Spring 2013 Program
This program designed for new managers or supervisors is a great opportunity to learn techniques for managing others and network with managers or supervisors across the campus. You can learn more about the Impact Series: Emerging Excellence as well as download an application on the Impact Series HR Training Site under Learning Opportunities.
Free Blaffer Art Museum Memberships & Cultured Cocktails for Faculty and Staff
Blaffer Art Museum and University of Houston’s Human Resources Department have teamed up to offer all UH staff and faculty complimentary memberships to the museum! As a member you have access to a variety of resources at this internationally-renowned facility right here on campus and together we want to make sure you get the most out of your complimentary staff/faculty membership!
Faculty and staff are invited to join us for Cultured Cocktails. The Cultured Cocktails events will offer you the opportunity to meet other staff and faculty on campus while you enjoy a drink in the University of Houston’s internationally renowned contemporary art museum. End your work day and let out some of that creative energy through casual gallery interactions and a hands-on project that will help you find your creative spirit.
Each Cultured Cocktails event has limited availability and requires an RSVP. We will meet in the Blaffer Art Museum Lounge located in the lobby. Call 713.743.9521 and reserve your spot today for one of our upcoming evenings: Thursdays @5:00 on February 28, March 28, April 18, May 30, June 27 and July 25.
Emergency Update Notification System
The University of Houston Outdoor Warning Siren System is designed to alert persons on campus of an emergency situation that requires them to seek shelter indoors for their safety. The UH Outdoor Warning Siren System will only be used when there is an imminent threat to the lives and safety of people on the UH campus where it is unsafe to be outdoors. This threat could come in the form of severe weather, criminal violence, such as an active shooter on campus, or an environmental threat such as a hazardous chemical release, or some other emergency situation. To ensure you receive emergency email notifications and text messages, please verify your information in the myUH system (faculty/staff instructions | student instructions). Also, go to www.uh.edu/emergency for emergency information.
Free Personal Health & Wellness Coaching From UH Wellness
UH faculty and staff can now access this new free service offered UH Wellness. Personal Health & Wellness Coaching is designed to help you make changes in your life: Lose weight; stop smoking; reduce stress; eat healthier; manage a health issue or just move forward and find balance. Call Reuben Parrish @ 713.743.5430 for more information or to make an appointment.
Benefits Announcements
Disability Claim Form updated
We've updated the Disability Claim Form for Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance and it is available from Dearborn National® Life Insurance Company, which administers these benefits. To see the form, click Resource Center on the Dearborn website. A few higher education institutions offer in-house administered Short-term Disability Insurance plans through other carriers, so we've revised the form to ask about additional coverage. See more information on filing claims.
Tobacco User Certification
Under state law effective last January 1, 2012, tobacco users enrolled in a state health plan will pay higher premiums for their health insurance. When you make changes to your benefits on line in ERS, you will be prompted to certify if you are tobacco use or not. In the event you certify that you are a tobacco user erroneously, you can correct the selection. However, ERS will not refund premiums that have already been deducted from your paycheck due to this error. Please be careful when answering the tobacco user certification pop-up.
HealthSelect – Important Benefit Tips
HealthSelectSM of Texas members should remember the following about out-of-pocket maximums and other benefit information. More>>
TIAA-CREF on campus February 12th
On February 12, 2013, a representative of TIAA-CREF, Kevin Porter, will be on campus from 9-4pm (by appointment only) in the HR Service Center Room 325 McElhinney to provide interested employees with objective advice on their financial and retirement planning. If you would to meet with Mr. Porter, please schedule your personalized consultation by contacting the TIAA-CREF Houston Local Office at 832/681-7400 (press 5 for assistance) or by Emailing Kevin at kevporter@tiaa-cref.org.
Training Updates
What is U-Learn?
U-Learn, the HR component designed for staff to enhance skills for professional and personal development. U-Learn offers a variety of courses and opportunities to assist employees with reaching their goals. U-Learn offers classroom, customized and online options. We encourage you to view all of the tools available to you as an employee at the University of Houston. U - Learn: Learning Opportunities
Request Customized Learning for Your Team
Life - long learning is the goal! The HR U-Learn team is available for consultation and to design customized training just for your team: Customized Learning Request Form
Learning Anytime, Anyplace with Skillport eLearning
This month HR is featuring Skillport eLearning offerings that you can do from your desk or from home. Check these training courses (all 60 minutes or less).
- Retaining Top Performers (ID: mgmt_33_a02_bs_enus)
- Managing Performance (ID: _pc_ch_lach002)
- Having a Difficult Conversation (ID: mgmt_36_a02_bs_enus)
- Managing Attitudes during Difficult Times (ID: mgmt_25_a03_bs_enus)
- The Art of Effective Coaching (ID: _pc_bi_lsbi018)
UH SkillPort eLearning Train Anytime from Your Desk or Home!
Previous HR Announcements
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Review Notice
The University of Houston prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of illicit drugs in the workplace, on campus, or at any University Activities. Penalties for violation of this policy are indicated in the document linked below:
The University of Houston conducts a biannual review of its drug and alcohol policies. Additional information in the document linked below:
ANNUAL MANDATORY TRAINING DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30TH
The University of Houston has an obligation to ensure that all employees know and adhere to federal and state laws and university policies. All university employees must complete the annual training requirement by November 30, 2012. For more information, please go to the Mandatory Training Webpage.
UH ADDS VIP PROMOTION FOR FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS
Sterling McCall Ford is offering all employees and students at the University of Houston an employee deal! Buy your next car or truck at the Ford Giant located at 6445 Southwest Freeway, show your current Employee or Student ID and get the same discount that Sterling McCall's employees get. Call 281-588-5000 and ask about the UH-VIP Promotion, or drop by and browse the lot from 9 am - 9 pm Monday - Thursday or 9 am - 8 pm Friday - Saturday.
Previous Benefits Updates
403b Limits -- Retirement Manager Notices
In an effort to ensure that you do not exceed your maximum allowed tax deferred annuity benefit for the year, the Retirement Manager (www.myretirementmanager.com ) may send you a notice to inform you that your contributions are being reduced and/or stopped. In the event you receive one of these notices and believe it to be in error, please contact Deanna Holmes (713/743-3988) in the Benefits Department to review your account contributions with you.
Please be advised that you have 2 more paychecks for the calendar year 2012. In the event you wish to make changes to your 403b, your cut off dates is November 12, 2012.
Flu Shot Cost Varies
The health plans in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program cover preventive flu shots differently, depending on where participants get the shots. The shots are free if they go to their primary care physicians, as long as the providers bill only for an office visit. However, the shots are not free if participants go to pharmacies, because the shots are covered under the medical benefit and not the prescription benefit. If flu shots are offered at the worksite, participants will pay the cost set by the flu shot provider. HealthSelectSM of Texas and other health plans may contract with flu shot providers for this service. The shots may be free, depending on the agreement between the health plan and provider.
Free Onsite Flu Shot Clinics for HealthSelect Participants
UnitedHealthcare, HealthSelectSM of Texas’ third party administrator, has contracted with national vendors to provide onsite flu shot clinics. Services are covered at 100% as preventive and will be paid through the HealthSelect plan. More>>
HealthSelect Offers Vision Benefits
HealthSelectSM of Texas participants are covered for one routine eye exam for $40 copay per calendar year. More>>
Changes Reflected in October Paycheck
Plan Year 2013 premium changes and any changes you made to your TexFlex contribution during Annual Enrollment will be reflected in the paycheck you receive in October. Dependent health premium rates went up while Optional Term Life rates went down. Also, if you have membership dues automatically deducted for an organization, such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, those organization dues may have changed on September 1 and will be reflected in your October paycheck. If you have questions about dues, please call the organization, not ERS.
More than One Health Plan, Show Both ID Cards
If you have coverage under more than one health plan, including TRICARE, don't forget to show the ID cards from both plans when you get medical care.
Save money with HealthSelect
HealthSelectSM of Texas can help participants save money on health care. More>>
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER 325 McElhinney
The Human Resources Team is here to assist you with all your HR needs. In an effort to serve you better, please use the Customer Service Center as your start point when coming to HR. All appointment check-ins, information inquiries and employment document finalizations should start at the Customer Service Center in 325 McElhinney, located as you exit the elevator on the 3rd floor. Representatives will assist you directly or make sure you are directed to the right person.
Contact Information: Phone 713-743-3988 or EMAIL at CSC@uh.edu
Philip G. Hoffman
UH President, 1961 - 1977
"Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries." To order a higher resolution reproduction, see http://info.lib.uh.edu/about/campus-libraries-collections/special-collections-archives/request-digital