Welcome to Human Resources
Mandated Furlough on November 27
Please remember that Friday, November 27 is a mandated furlough day, and is to be treated like a legal holiday. Only essential staff (i.e. police, heating plant, etc.) are allowed to work. I have sent an email to Deans, Department Chairs and Directors who will report essential staff in their area to me. If you feel you must work on the day after Thanksgiving, please notify your supervisor.
Everyone must indicate on their leave reports/time sheet that 8 hours (prorated if you are part time) furlough was used.
Thank you so much for your understanding during these difficult economic times.
Insurance Coverage for Adult Children up to Age 27 Change
If you have a young adult in your household, and you did not previously determine them eligible under your health insurance plan, read this information carefully. Based on this information, employees may need to submit enrollment forms before December 31st for their adult children for coverage effective January 1, 2010.
A new state law allows young adults to be able to receive coverage through their parents’ health care plan. This week the Governor announced an emergency rule from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) clarifying how eligibility is determined for adult children up to age 27.
The most notable clarification is how to determine whether or not your adult child, who is working and eligible for health insurance coverage through his/her own employer, can be added to your state insurance plan. To determine eligibility, the amount of the adult child's premium contribution is to be compared to the additional amount you are required to pay for inclusion of the adult child under your policy. (i.e. If you already have the family plan, then the additional premium amount to add a dependent is zero. Therefore, if your adult child’s premium contribution is greater than zero, they are eligible to enroll.)
NOTE: This does not change the information about the imputed taxable income, which is separate from determining eligibility of the adult child. Select this link to see how the imputed taxable income will effect your check. http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/uwpc/2010/imputed_income.html
Another notable clarification pertains to the eligibility of an adult child over age 27 that is a full-time student and was called to federal active duty in the National Guard or in a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces. The rule clarifies that if your adult child applies to an institution of higher education as a full-time student within 12 months from the date he/she has fulfilled their active duty obligation then they become an eligible dependent for insurance purposes.
As a result of the enactment of the rule and these noted changes, the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has updated the “Children to Age 27 Q&A” on its website at: http://etf.wi.gov/publications/dependent_mandate_2010.pdf. Revisions and new information are flagged. As mentioned above, ETF has extended the enrollment period for adult children. Employees need to submit enrollment forms before December 30, 2009 for coverage effective January 1, 2010.
One other consideration that doesn't affect coverage: Tax dependency may be established using several methods including, but not limited to qualifying children and qualifying relative(s). IRS Publication 501 provides the criteria for determining tax dependency. If you have any questions concerning the tax status of any dependent, please review Publication 501 and consult your tax advisor.
Updated Wisconsin Retirement System Interest Rate Projections
The Department of Employee Trust Funds has created a new website where they have posted their most recent resources relative to investment returns and information to help employees considering retirement before the end of 2009 or early 2010: http://www.etf.wi.gov/news/ht_20091021.htm.
They have also released a statement regarding the most recent investment returns and core interest rate projections: http://www.etf.wi.gov/news/2009_annuity_adjustment_projections.pdf.
More information can also be found on UW System Administration’s website under "Impact of Current Market Conditions on Your WRS Account": http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/retsav/wrsdownturn.html.
Furlough Information
UW Eau Claire University Identified Furlough days for 2009-2011:
| August 7, 2009 | August 20, 2010 |
| November 27, 2009 | November 26, 2010 |
| December 28, 2009 | December 27, 2010 |
| April 2, 2010 | March 25, 2011 |
For more information for all University employees, select this link http://www.uwsa.edu/furloughs/.
For more specific information for Classified Employees select here.
Important Notice for Civil Service Exams
Pre-registration for Wisconsin State Civil Service Exam Centers will soon be required. In an effort to begin this process, applicants are required to pre-register online for the Office Support exam beginning March 2009.
Applicants may register online at www.Wisc.Jobs or by calling the pre-registration phone line at (608) 266-1536. Applicants will receive confirmation after they have registered. The deadline for pre-registration will be posted in the job announcement.
Only pre-registered applicants are guaranteed an exam booklet. Walk-in applicants may be allowed to take the exam if extra exam booklets and room is available.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the “How to Apply” section in the job announcement on Wisc.Jobs to find out which exams will require pre-registration in the future.
