TO: AFSCME AND mERIT cONFIDENTIAL sTAFF
In wishing you a healthy and productive new year from University Human Resources, I want to remind you of our most recent changes that will support University of Iowa (UI) staff in the year ahead:
The pilot program providing a membership incentive to University Recreation facilities has been extended through 2013. Eligible faculty and staff receive a 50% incentive on a single membership, after completing their confidential, personal health assessment online, and using any of the University recreation facilities at least four times each month. The pilot program received a great response and is an affordable way for all staff to access state of the art resources to establish and maintain a regular exercise program. Combined with the coaching assistance provided by UI Wellness staff, we are working to support you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Recognizing the key role that supervisors play in the workplace, two initiatives from Learning and Development will help guide and support UI supervisors in working effectively with their staff members. “New UI Supervisors: Starting Successfully” is a recent program that combines online learning resources with individual support from the local Human Resource Unit Representative to provide expectations and resources as they begin supervising UI staff for the first time. “Supervising @ Iowa” is the next series of classes available to help supervisors improve their skills to foster a productive work environment for staff. Both of these programs will be promoted directly to UI leaders and supervisors in the coming weeks.
Learning and Development is also developing a new series of classes to help the UI community learn to use social media to increase efficiency and productivity at work. The first part of this series will provide an overview of social media tools and how they can be used in the workplace. Additional courses will provide detail about the uses of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. at work. Last in the series will be classes addressing how social media can be used to recruit and market programs and services, and to allow work groups to use social media to be more efficient and effective.
University Benefits successfully completed the first online health insurance enrollment for staff members eligible for the state health insurance plans. On line enrollment has been a successful way to make it easier for more staff to respond within the enrollment period. We are pleased to be able to provide this option now to all UI faculty and staff.
University merit staff received a one percent (1%) salary increase on January 1, 2012. In addition, the number of estimated work hours used to calculate monthly salary payments in the 2012 calendar year increased, from 2080 to 2088 hours per year. The combined effect of these changes will be a 1.4% increase in monthly salary for merit staff.
The University of Iowa thrives because of the efforts and talents of our people, which includes the many and varied contributions made by you and other staff members at the University. The staff in University Human Resources look forward to continuing our support of your excellent work in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Sue Buckley
Vice President for Human Resources
Last updated January 2012