Human Resources News Blog

Amazing Challenge Offers Healthy Competition

Published August 5, 2014

Last Saturday, 16 teams competed against each other in the 3rd annual HuskyPAW Amazing Challenge hosted by Michigan Tech Benefit Services. Loosely based on the TV show, The Amazing Race, the teams began at the Lakeshore Center and competed in seven physical and mental challenges, racing to the finish at McLain State Park.

For one challenge a “Detour” was offered; the teams had to make a choice between one of two challenges. The choice was either physical, rowing a canoe across the canal to collect puzzle pieces that needed to be put together; or mental, testing their engineering skills and building a free standing tower at least 30” tall of spaghetti and marshmallows.

36" Spaghetti and Marshmallow tower challange — 30″ Spaghetti and Marshmallow tower challenge

Canoe across the canal to build this puzzle... — Canoe across the canal to build this puzzle…

The winning team, the Black and Blue Crew

Teams are required to have a Michigan Tech employee present, but can be comprised of colleagues, friends, and/or family members. Here are the top three finishers:

1st Place: Black and Blue Crew led by Colleen Erva
2nd Place: The Charge led by Amy Mensch
3rd Place: Yooper Troopers led by Sandy Houle

Thank you to the 2014 Amazing Challenge volunteers!

Thank you to all of the volunteers how were instrumental in the planning and execution of this year’s event. Benefit Services would also like to extend a special thanks to Dave Nordstrom from the Student Development Complex, Brian Cadwell from Public Safety and Police Services, the Houghton County Sheriff’s office, the staff at McLain State Park, and Janet Hayden from Risk Management.

2014-15 Holiday Schedule

Published July 2, 2014

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Uncategorized

The 2014-15 Holiday Schedule is now available here.

Minimum Wage Increase

Published June 30, 2014

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The Michigan legislature has passed a bill increasing the state’s minimum wage from $7.40 to $9.25 per hour by 2018. The first stage will begin this year with the minimum wage increasing to $8.15 per hour effective September 1st, 2014. Therefore, all hourly rates that fall below this rate will be increased on August 31, 2014. This will have an impact on departments that hire students and temporary employees currently paid less than this amount. For jobs starting after August 31, 2014 please use the minimum wage of $8.15/hour.

Additional increases in the minimum wage are scheduled to take effect in the future, namely an increase to $8.50 per hour effective January 1, 2016, $8.90 in 2017, and an increase to $9.25 per hour effective January 1, 2018.

The Michigan legislature has passed a bill increasing the state’s minimum wage from $7.40 to $9.25 per hour by 2018. The first stage will begin this year with the minimum wage increasing to $8.15 per hour effective September 1st, 2014. Therefore, all hourly rates that fall below this rate will be increased on August 31, 2014. This will have an impact on departments that hire students and temporary employees currently paid less than this amount. For jobs starting after August 31, 2014 please use the minimum wage of $8.15/hour.

Additional increases in the minimum wage are scheduled to take effect in the future, namely an increase to $8.50 per hour effective January 1, 2016, $8.90 in 2017, and an increase to $9.25 per hour effective January 1, 2018.

MICUP Internship

Published June 26, 2014

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Employment Services

NamGiao Tran just ended her six week internship with Human Resources. Nam was a MICUP student visiting Michigan Tech from Grand Rapids Community College.

Nam’s internship project in Human Resources focused on making improvements to the internal flow of work related to a staff hiring. Her first week began with learning about Lean philosophy and focusing on the concept of standardized work. She began by working with department staff to understand the hiring process and creating a swim lane process map. The exercise of creating the process map identified specific improvement areas which Nam worked on for the remainder of her stay. Her work supported the creation of standardized tools, forms, and checklists that will be implemented to improve the process flow.

Nam is pictured below with her poster that captures the work she did. The photo was taken at the MICUP Poster Presentation on June 19, 2014.

Nam plans to transfer to Michigan Tech next fall to study Accounting.

Team Up for an Amazing Challange

Published June 24, 2014

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Benefits

Team registration is now open for the HuskyPAW Amazing Challenge, which will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

If you’re not familiar with Amazing Challenge, it’s loosely based on the TV show, The Amazing Race. Teams complete a series of challenges while they race toward the finish line. Challenges are a mix of physical activity and mental challenges or puzzles. Each challenge needs to be completed in order to receive a clue to move forward. While this can be a competitive race for many teams; this can also be a fun family event completed at your own pace.

Teams are limited to four adults, although for those teams made up of families with young children, we do allow more than four members. Contact the Benefits office if you have more than four team members

The winning team gets bragging rights as the Amazing Challenge winner. HuskyPAW members receive bonus points for participating. Contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu with questions.

Retirement Supplemental Voluntary Program (RSVP) Enrollment Period Begins

Published June 2, 2014

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The Retirement Supplemental Voluntary Program (RSVP) is a voluntary retirement program offered to eligible Michigan Tech employees. While employees are not constrained to retire at any particular age, arrangements for retirement are a natural part of an employee’s personal and professional planning. This program provides information and, in some cases, incentives, that should make retirement planning easier.

The window period for which an employee may sign their RSVP election is between July 1 and October 31, 2014. Employees electing the monetary Retirement Option must retire on or before June 30, 2015. Prior to electing RSVP, employees must meet with the Benefits Office for a confidential meeting to verify eligibility. The RSVP policy can be found online at http://www.mtu.edu/hr/benefits/retirement/.

The RSVP cap on the monetary benefit is adjusted periodically based on the percentage increase in the contribution and benefit base amount established by the Social Security’s Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. The cap was increased on May 21, 2014 to $68,905.

Questions can be directed to Benefit Services at 487-2517 or benefits@mtu.edu.

New Process Established for Termination of Access

Published May 29, 2014

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Employment Services

To reduce the University’s exposure to data and security risk, when an employee leaves the University or transfers to a new department it is necessary to terminate connections established between the employee and vacated position. A Termination Checklist has been created to prompt departments in the revocation of data and facility access. The Termination Checklist needs to be completed for all regular and temporary employees and uploaded with the termination EPAF. The checklist can be used as a guide for student positions.

Departmental timekeepers will also begin to receive a bi-weekly report of employees in their area who have no reported hours in the last 30 days. The report should be reviewed to determine if they should remain on payroll because they will be working in the very near future. If the employee is not expected to return in the near future, a termination EPAF should be submitted.

You can find the Termination Checklist here. If you have questions regarding this checklist or report, please contact your department’s employment services representative.

Winners Announced: What is your Financial IQ?

Published May 6, 2014

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Benefits

April was Financial Literacy month, and Benefits Services teamed up with TIAA-CREF to bring a financial challenge to Michigan Tech Employees called “What’s your Financial IQ?” Each day, five new questions were added to the challenge and each time played, employees were entered for a chance to win one of three iPads. Departments were able to view a leader board to compete against each other. Here are the results of the challenge:

The School of Technology had the most correct answers, followed closely by the School of Business and Economics.

Winners of the Apple iPads are:

Daniel Haskell, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Shellie Hubert, Enrollment Services

Peter Larsen, VP for Research

Thank you to all who participated!

Employee Benefits and Community Services Fair – May 8th

Published April 23, 2014

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Benefits

The annual Employee Benefits and Community Services Fair will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Visit more than 30 exhibitors including Blue Cross Blue Shield, EyeMed Vision, Delta Dental, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, MetLife and many community organizations.

The fair is free and open to employees and retirees, spouses, partners and adult dependents. Attendees may register to win two United Express round trip tickets from Houghton to Chicago, a George Foreman grill, an SDC Action Pass, gas cards, and more. Popcorn and beverages will be served.

The fair is sponsored by Benefit Services. Email benefits@mtu.edu with questions.