HR Forum — January 13, 2010

Also available as a downloadable PDF file: Presentation [PDF: 2,704 KB, 31 pages]

Agenda

Caregiver leave – Provides up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to an employee to care for a family member (spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin) who is injured while serving on active military duty.
H.R. 2647 expands the caregiver leave provision to include veterans who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation or therapy for serious injury or illness that occurred any time during the five years preceding the date of treatment.

In January 2008, Congress amended the FMLA to provide:

Exigency leave – up to 12 weeks of leave for urgent needs related to a reservist family member’s (spouse, son, daughter, or parent’s) call to active service.
H.R. 2647 effective October 28, 2009, expands the exigency leave benefits to include family members of active duty service members. (Previously, only family members of National Guard and Reservists were eligible for “exigency leave.”)

Sonji Winters has accepted a position in EOS.
Lou Scaruffi has replaced her and taken all of her accounts except for Engineering, which is Karen Chawner’s account.
Research will also be part of Lou’s portfolio.
Lou’s contact number is 232-2159.
Karen’s number is 232-2160.

Per Texas Attorney General: one-time supplemental payment to eligible TRS retirees is not permissible under Texas law
As a result, SB 1 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) will increase the state contribution rate to TRS from 6.4% to 6.644%
Retiree surcharge total is 13.044%
1/22/10 is the first payday that will include the increased matching and retiree surcharge
Retiree surcharge applies when a retiree is working in an otherwise benefits eligible position
- Surcharge is automatically assessed depending on the assignment, so no action necessary

Effective January 1, 2010, all ORP participants will receive 8.5% employer matching
Currently, 8.5% is the maximum permitted by the state legislature
The employee contribution rate remains unchanged at 6.65%
E-mail was sent on 12/3/09 to those ORP participants impacted by the change

The Defense Appropriations Act (HR 3326) was signed into law on 12/19/09
Includes a 2-month extension of the subsidy to continue it for involuntary terminations through 2/28/10
The 65% premium reduction is now available for up to 15 months, increased from 9 months
For more information, visit: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

Special education opportunity available to all employees
Retirewise sessions consists of 4-weekly meetings that take a detailed look at what to expect and how to prepare for retirement
Sessions will be offered in February, March, April, May, October and November
- TXClass will open one month ahead – e.g., an employee should register in April for the May session
- E-mails reminders will go out monthly
- To register search for PN700 on TXClass

Occurs when an employee has assignments (likely concurrent) that equal more than 100% (+40 hours per week) for any period of time.
Transferring to a new Position ID within or outside of incumbent’s currently assigned department.
- WARNINGS will appear on the page when this situation occurs.
- Does not prevent approval of documents, but the result may be an overpayment to your employee causing check cancelations or delays.
- Coordination between departments is required to prevent an overpayment.
Reminder: Please keep current with employee assignment dates, especially for:
- Transfers
- Separations
- LWOP
- Assignment End Dates

2009 W-2s
- Available online through UT Direct: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/payroll/w2/w2.WBX
- If not claimed online before January 27, printed forms will be mailed before the end of the month.
2010 Nonresident Tax Withholding Changes
- New calculation method to offset the reductions of Making Work Pay Credit
- No Changes required via W-4 or other GLACIER forms
- Information available on the Payroll Services Web site: http://www.utexas.edu/payroll/

“Workplace Rudeness and Incivility: For All Employees” presented by Rita Handrich, PhD
- Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 8:30 AM to Noon
  North Office Building A, Training Room, NOA 4.106A
- Registration required
  Contact: eap@austin.utexas.edu or 471-3366

“Stress Management” and “Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL): Responding to Individuals in Crisis” trainings available for workgroups on-site by request, minimum 8 participants

OHP began offering first-aid for minor work related injuries & illness on Jan. 1st
- Treatment provided that is eligible for workers’ compensation is billed to the WCI System
- Treatment not eligible for workers’ compensation but that is work related is covered under a RAP fund or is charged to departments via IDT, e.g. exposure incidents
- More serious injuries are referred to St. David’s Occupational Health Services with OHP providing case management and follow-up services

Medical monitoring of research lab and lab animal workers including initial risk assessment and periodic updates
- Over 800 employees enrolled
Job specific immunizations
Respiratory clearance exams
First aid treatment of minor work related injuries & illnesses
Case management for complex workers’ compensation claims
Health counseling for job related health concerns, e.g. ergonomics

Provide review of new research protocols to ensure employee health needs have been addressed
- IACUC and IBC participation
Consult on NIH required emergency surveillance programming
- BSL-3 lab workers
Partner with EHS to review injury & illness trends to improve worker safety

To enroll and more information