Human Resources News Blog

If you submit massage therapy claims by fax to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan the number has changed. The new Fax number is 866-392-6519. For more information on how to file a massage therapy claim and to access the claim form, please visit the Benefit Services website.

Human Resources would like to congratulate twenty-five (25) UAW employees for their efforts and time commitment in completing the four UAW Certification courses and receiving their certification.

The following employees completed their certification in December 2016 and April 2017.

Brenda Anttila, Maureen Anton, Cynthia Asiala, Kari Bellin-Sloat, Machel Borsum, Laurie Buschell, Danielle Davis, Coreen Dompier, Kathleen Dorvinen, Erika Erkkila, Penny Foetisch, Laura Givens, Celine Grace, Sandra Kalcich, Erin Kemppainen, Karma Kilpela, Juli Martin, Susan Niemi, Mechelle Normand, Paula Olson, Charlene Page, Stephanie Reed, Christina Sarazin, Pammi Washuleski, and Carol Wingerson.

The four courses are:

• Michigan Tech Specific Course
• Google Suite
• Social Media
• Microsoft Office Suite

Congratulations!

Benefit Services invites you to participate in a new wellness initiative between Michigan Tech and Aspirus Keweenaw. This is an 8-week program that gives employees access to a registered dietician. The program includes:

• One 60 minute initial individual consultations (in-person)
• Two follow-up phone calls during weeks 2 and 4
• One final consultation during week 8 (in-person)

The program is divided into two groups Nutrition Basics and Nutrition Enhanced. Nutrition Basics is designed for employees interested in paying more attention to foods they eat or employees that need guidance on where to start. Nutrition Enhanced is designed for those who have already made changes to their eating habits but need additional support. Employees may choose the plan that best meets their needs. For additional program information, please visit the wellness website.

This program is for active, benefits-eligible employees and will begin on March 13, 2017, and run through May 16, 2017. Space is limited to 30 employees. You may register for the program here. Employees new to the program will be enrolled first with returning participants being enrolled on a first come, first-served basis. Enrollment into the program will close at 5:00 PM on Monday, February 20, 2017.

Please contact Benefits Services at 487-2517 or email benefits@mtu.edu if you have any questions.

Electronic 2016 W-2s are now available on Banweb for all employees who have consented to an electronic copy. Paper W-2 forms will be mailed on or before January 31st.

Ever wondered….

What additional programs and services are offered by HR?  What is Lean and how can I participate?  How a tubing hill came to be at Mont Ripley?

Join us to find out the answers to these questions and much more at a Campus Informational Session on January 31 from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

• Renee Hiller, director of Human Resources and her team, will focus on the following topics: New Employee Orientation program, wellness initiatives, informational training’s, immigration, and labor relations.

• Ruth Archer, director of Continuous Improvement, will discuss the current state and future direction of Lean at Michigan Tech, including student opportunities for Lean learning.

• Nicholas Sirdenis, general manager of Mont Ripley, will speak on Mont Ripley’s new tubing park.

The session is open to all of the campus community, and we invite and encourage faculty, staff, and students to attend.

Release time will be provided for hourly staff with the approval of their supervisor.

Payroll Services will host a 45-minute workshop at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 8 in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge B.

The purpose of the workshop is to review the Payroll Services Standard Practice Guide and answer payroll and time entry related questions. This session is offered to assist supervisors, timekeepers, and department administrators in following time and reporting procedures and deadlines.

Register online. If you have any questions, contact Payroll Services at 7-2130 or payroll@mtu.edu.

Human Resources has worked over the past several months on analyzing the changes to the overtime rule which was to increase the salary threshold for a position to be considered exempt from overtime.  These changes were to be effective December 1, 2016.

However, last week a temporary delay of the Department of Labor’s FLSA changes has placed an injunction on these changes.  Here is what we know right now (courtesy of College and Universities Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR):

 

A U.S. District Court judge from Texas issued a preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s overtime rule. The judge issued the injunction in response to a legal challenge brought by a coalition of more than 50 business groups and 21 state attorneys general. The rule was scheduled to go into effect on December 1.

Originally, two lawsuits challenging the rule were filed in federal court on September 20 — the first suit on behalf of 21 state attorneys general and the second on behalf of a group of trade associations and chambers of commerce. On October 12, the states filed an emergency motion to temporarily prevent the rule from taking effect while the court challenge proceeds. On October 19, the judge granted a request filed by the states and the 50 business groups to have their two cases consolidated.

It is expected that DOL will appeal this ruling quickly, however it is uncertain how long the appeal may take. If the preliminary injunction pushes the implementation date from December 1 to past January 20, 2017, then there will be room for the Trump administration to reopen the rulemaking and revise the final rule.