The holidays can be a very stressful time of year which can be taxing on our mental health. To try and alleviate some stress, our friends at Northstar EAP would like to remind us of our “Holiday Bill of Rights”. For example, “You have the right to say TIME OUT, anytime you need to” or “You have the right to DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY”. Check out your Holiday Bill of Rights and their tips for “24 Random Acts of Holiday Kindness”, and remember to have a Happand Relaxing Holiday Season!!
REMINDER: HOLIDAY PAYROLL PROCESSING SCHEDULE
The University will be closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 due to the observance of Christmas and New Year’s. Below are the adjusted deadlines for the pay periods ending 12/19/2015 and 1/2/2016.
BW 26 Deadlines (12/6/2015 – 12/19/2015)
Paper and Electronic Time Sheets Due to Payroll by Tuesday, 12/15/15 at Noon.
Web Time Entry Approval due to Payroll by Tuesday, 12/15/15 at 5 pm.
Paychecks and Direct Deposits will be dated 12/24/15.
BW 1 Deadlines (12/20/2015 – 1/2/2016)
Status Forms & EPAFs due to Payroll by Tuesday, 12/22/15 at Noon.
Time Sheets Sent to Departments on Tuesday, 12/29/15.
All deadlines return to their regular schedule beginning Monday, January 4, 2016.
Please be sure that all web time approvers have a designated PROXY set up.
For instructions on how to set up a proxy, please visit: https://www.mtu.edu/hr/supervisors-admins/payroll/docs/web-time-approver.pdf
The Payroll Services staff wishes everyone a safe, and happy Holiday Season!
2016 Open Enrollment will be closing at midnight on Friday, November 27, 2015.
Open enrollment is your opportunity to assess your individual and family needs and make changes to your benefit package selections. This would include changing health plans, adding/removing a dependent, electing to contribute to a health savings account or flexible spending account or changing any other benefits such as life or disability benefits. If you want to continue your current elections in 2016, you do not need to take any action unless you have a health savings account or flexible spending account. Contributions must be re-elected each year for a health savings account and flexible spending account.
For Open Enrollment information, please visit the open enrollment website.
For any questions or concerns regarding Open Enrollment, please contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu or 487-2517.
Benefit eligible employees who have an annual physical and complete a Health Risk Assessment with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan by December 31, 2015 can earn one of the following incentives:
– $100 deposited into a health savings account
– $100 deposited into a flexible spending account
– $100 deposited into Techfit
– $200 deposited into a T2 account (funds can only be used at a Michigan Tech Facility)
To complete the Health Risk Assessment through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan:
1) Log in to your account at bcbsm.com (You can easily register if you are not currently set up.)
2) Click “Health & Wellness” in the blue bar at the top of the page
3) Click “Take assessment now” to begin
Employees who have met the above requirements will be contacted to choose their incentive. Incentives will be awarded in March 2016.
Please contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu with any questions you may have.
UP Health System – Portage will hold another flu vaccine clinic on campus. The vaccine is administered by injection and is on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary. The flu clinic will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 in MUB Ballroom A1.
Employees, retirees, family members and students are welcome to attend one of the flu clinics. Anyone under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated without parental permission. A spouse and/or child may attend without the employee. Read the full Tech Today Story, for rates and insurance information.
2016 Open Enrollment begins today and is open through Friday, November 27, 2015. Please visit the Open Enrollment website for updated benefits information as well as dates and times for benefit educational sessions.
If you want to continue your current elections in 2016, you do not need to take any action unless you have a health savings account or flexible spending account. Contributions to these accounts must be re-elected each year.
Please contact Benefit Services at 906-487-2517 or benefits@mtu.edu with any questions you may have.
Michigan Tech Hosts Conference in Mackinaw City
The 2015 Michigan College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (MI CUPA-HR) Conference was hosted by Michigan Technological University September 17-18 in Mackinaw City, MI.
This year’s theme People, Process, and Performance: Bridging the Gap brought together nearly 100 Human Resources professional from 17 different Michigan colleges and universities to share their expertise and energy. Conference participants attended sessions covering a wide array of topics including Employee Engagement, Wellness Initiatives and the Future, Proposed FLSA Regulations, Conflict Resolution, and Negotiating in Today’s World. Of particular interest was a session presented by Michigan Tech’s Kerri Sleeman, Executive Director, Facilities Management and assisted by Heidi Reid, Employment Services Representative, Human Resources, titled “Digital Negotiations and the HR Impact”.
They were also motivated by keynote speaker, Ken Trazska – President of Seward County Community College/Area Technical College in Kansas, who spoke on creating an inspiring, connected, and respected HR Culture. Networking opportunities were abundant throughout the conference including a breathtaking Sunset Boat Cruise.
Portage Health will offer four flu vaccine clinics on campus this fall. The vaccine is by injection at a cost of $30 payable at the time of service. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted. Shots will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary.
Employees, retirees, family members and students are welcome to attend one of the flu clinics. Anyone under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated without parental permission. A spouse and/or child may attend without the employee.
Be prepared to show a picture ID and insurance card. If you are insured by Michigan Tech’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) health plan, your vaccine is free of charge and will be billed to insurance if you present your BCBSM member ID card at the time of service. This does not include retirees that have Blue Cross insurance through MPSERS. Students with Michigan Tech’s United Health Care (UHC) student health plan can also have their vaccine billed to insurance with their UHC member ID card.
The flu clinics are as follows:
Wednesday, October 21 during the Health Fair from noon to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Isle Royale Ballroom.
The will also be three additional clinics held in the Memorial Union Building:
- Wednesday, October 28 from 4-7 pm in MUB Ballroom A1
- Friday, October 30 from 10am-1pm in MUB Ballroom B
- Tuesday, November 3 from 4-7 pm in MUB Ballroom B
Human Resources is excited to kick off the new Huskies New Employee Orientation.
The first new employee orientation was held on August 3rd, 2015 with 13 employees in attendance.
The new program keeps in mind the importance of a well-defined and welcoming process that will enable new employees to complete required forms, learn about benefits, be introduced to the university’s mission, goals and strategic plan and to meet other employees who are also beginning employment at Michigan Tech.
The ultimate goal is to implement an efficient and effective organizational socialization process through which every new hire is seamlessly integrated into the Michigan Tech community.
The New Huskies Orientation will be held every other Monday and will coincide with the employee’s first day of employment at Michigan Tech.
For questions, please contact Human Resources at 906-487-2280.
Benefit eligible employees who complete a Health Risk Assessment with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and have an annual physical can earn an incentive. Accessing the health assessment is easy. Here’s how to get started.
- Log in to your account at bcbsm.com. (You can easily register if you are not currently set up.)
- Click “Health & Wellness” in the blue bar at the top of the page.
- Click “Take assessment now” to begin.
Requirements must be completed by December 31 and incentives will be awarded in 2016. Eligible employees will have the option to choose one of the following:
- $100 deposited into a health savings account
- $100 deposited into a flexible spending health care account
- $100 deposited into a Techfit
- $200 deposited into a T2 account, funds can only be used at a Michigan
Tech Facility.
If you have any questions, contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu.