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Announcements from the Senior Vice President

Benefits Open Enrollment Deadlines on Oct. 31

September 30, 2022

Colleagues,

Below are several important time-sensitive benefits updates.

Open Enrollment

The 2023 Open Enrollment Period for the SHBP and NJ Tax$ave Program runs from October 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. This is your annual opportunity to assess your benefits needs and revise your medical, prescription, dental, and pre-tax flexible spending account selections. The deadline for modifications is October 31, 2022, for an effective date of January 1, 2023. If you do not anticipate making any changes, no further action is required to maintain your coverage.


Caregiver Support Pilot Program for Rutgers Employees

September 1, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

In our continued effort to support the evolving needs of our employees, Rutgers is pleased to launch a Caregiver Support Pilot Program through Care.com from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023.  Such a program was one of the recommendations made this summer by the Future of Work Task Force.

All eligible employees may have a Care.com membership. Care.com offers employees access to the world’s largest network of caregivers to meet all of your unexpected care needs, connecting you with caregivers for children and adults, and giving you the option of using your own personal caregiver if no network caregiver is available. Through Care.com, you can find the right caregivers for children and adults including:


Implementation of the Chosen Name Initiative

August 26, 2022

Dear Colleagues,  

As part of the University’s Chosen Name Initiative, effective September 1, 2022, employees will be able to designate a chosen name to be utilized in the course of university business in lieu of their legal name[1]. If you do not wish to designate a chosen name, you do not need to take any action. Employees may elect to set a chosen name by following the steps outlined below:


FlexWork@RU Pilot Program Update

August 10, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

As the fall semester quickly approaches, I write to provide an update regarding the university’s implementation of flexible work arrangements.

Reminder: Flexible Work Arrangement Applications Due August 15

All current telecommuting plans expire on August 31, 2022. Employees are expected to return to campus unless they have an approved flexible work arrangement in the FlexWork@RU System. Applications are due by August 15 and approvals are due prior to September 1.


FlexWork@RU Application System Now Open | August 15 Submission Deadline

July 22, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

As part of the implementation of the Future of Work Task Force recommendation to expand the flexible work arrangement offerings available to staff employees, I am pleased to announce the FlexWork@RU Application System is now open. The system is designed to allow employees to submit their application for a flexible work arrangement and department heads to review and monitor applications. The system will track remote work locations to ensure appropriate taxation of wages and adherence to state and local wage laws.


Implementation of Future of Work Task Force Recommendations

June 23, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier today, President Holloway released the Future of Work Task Force Report and announced his endorsement of the recommendations with an immediate focus on implementing the six short-term recommendations. I am delighted to share key initiatives related to the rollout of these six recommendations, which were informed by the input of our university community. More information about these recommendations and the full report will also be discussed at a virtual town hall on July 7.


Update on Telecommuting Policy Relaxation

June 6, 2022

Dear Rutgers Colleagues,

As you are aware, since March 2020, Rutgers has provided faculty, staff, and students flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic through the relaxation of Policy 60.3.22 Alternative Work Arrangements and Telecommuting for Regularly Appointed Staff.


Performance Evaluations for Eligible Aligned Rutgers Staff

March 17, 2022

In accordance with applicable collective negotiations agreements, supervisors and managers are responsible for providing a formal performance evaluation to eligible employees on an annual basis. This process allows supervisors and managers to engage with their employees in a thoughtful dialogue about their performance and accomplishments in the previous year, professional development and career progression, and to define goals and objectives for the upcoming performance cycle.

The evaluation period for the following units runs from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022:


Update Regarding Shared Work Furlough Program Unemployment Insurance

February 21, 2022

Dear Rutgers Shared Work Furlough Program Participants,

We are providing clarification regarding two communications you may have received directly from the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL).

BPC-189 Request for Refund of Unemployment Benefits (Overpayment Notice)

If you have received this notice in the mail AND the reason for the request for refund indicates “Your Claim for Benefits Was Cancelled,” you do not need to repay the unemployment benefits you received to the NJDOL.


Salary Improvement Program for Non-Aligned Employees

February 15, 2022

Dear Rutgers Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that President Holloway has approved a salary improvement program for regularly appointed non-aligned employees. All eligible non-aligned employees will receive a 2.5% across-the-board salary increase effective March 1, 2022. The increase will be reflected in the paycheck dated March 4, 2022 for all eligible employees.

Eligibility Criteria

Regularly appointed non-aligned employees who are in an eligible non-aligned title as of February 28, 2022 and remain in an eligible title through the date of payment are eligible for an increase.

If you have any questions, please contact OneSource Rutgers Faculty and Staff Service Center at 732-745-SERV (7378) or OneSource@rutgers.edu.


Implementation of Salary Increases for Aligned Employees

February 14, 2022

Dear Rutgers Colleagues:

We are pleased to announce the implementation schedule for the salary increases for aligned employee as detailed below. All increases indicated below are effective March 1, 2022 and will be reflected in the March 4, 2022 paycheck.


Rutgers Future of Work Listening Sessions - Registration Now Closed

February 4, 2022

Members of the Rutgers Community:

As the Future of Work Task Force works to develop its recommendations, we invite members of the university community to participate in a series of virtual listening tours. The purpose of these sessions is to listen to and learn from our faculty, staff, and students. Your diverse experiences, views, and recommendations regarding the future of work at Rutgers University will help us better understand the evolving needs of our employees and the communities we serve. We will use what we learn to make recommendations that support our goals of becoming a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive organization.

There will be three, 1½ hour online listening sessions:


At-home COVID-19 Test Kit Coverage with OptumRx

January 25, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

Effective immediately, OptumRx members are eligible for coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022. Coverage includes OTC at-home COVID-19 test kits authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most common tests are BinaxNOW™, Flowflex™, InteliSwab™, On/Go™ and QuickVue®. Coverage is limited to 8 individual tests per covered member, every month (i.e., a family of 4 covered members would be eligible for 32 tests a month).

There are three options available to OptumRx members to take advantage of this new benefit:


Mid-Year Review Due March 15, 2022 – Non-Aligned Employees

January 20, 2022

We have extended the period to complete the Mid-Year Review process from January 31 to March 15. All Mid-Year Goal Plans and Reviews for non-aligned employees must be submitted and approved in the Performance Management tool on or before March 15.

The Mid-Year Review process is critical to our continued focus on employee development. It allows managers and employees to discuss and recalibrate existing performance and development goals.

While we have extended the deadline for Mid-Year Reviews, we still encourage you and your manager to formally discuss the progress you’ve made on your performance and development goals. Employees may add, remove, or edit goals currently listed on their Goal Plan through March 15.


Expansion of Permissible Use of Accrued Paid Sick Time Extended Through January 31, 2022

January 7, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, and in order to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of our university community, the temporary expansion of permissible use of accrued paid sick time for COVID-19 related self-quarantine, school closure, place of child-care closure, or lack of availability of child-care that expired on December 31, 2021, has been extended through January 31, 2022.  

Background

After the expiration of COVID-19 related federal leave entitlements, the university temporarily expanded the reasons for which employees who earn paid sick time may use such time, subject to the criteria below in order to provide greater flexibility and support to our employees in navigating the challenges presented by this pandemic.


Eligibility for Health Benefits through the Affordable Care Act – Calendar Year 2022

December 3, 2021

Dear Rutgers Colleagues,

We are pleased to extend an offer of State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) enrollment to you and your eligible dependents. Under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), employees who work an average of 30 hours or more per week are entitled to medical and prescription drug benefits. Please note that the ACA does not include dental benefits coverage. Our records indicate that you meet or exceed the 30-hour threshold and are now eligible to participate.


Update Regarding Unresolved Unemployment Claims from the Rutgers Shared Work Furlough Program

November 9, 2021

Dear Rutgers Shared Work Furlough Participants:

(If you have no unresolved unemployment claims, please disregard this communication.)

The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) has been overwhelmed with the filing of unemployment claims. As you can imagine, this has been happening in many states across the nation.

We have been working closely with the NJDOL, to resolve all remaining claims. Please know that as soon as we receive your unresolved claims information, we forward it to NJDOL. We have also compiled each reported unresolved claim into a consolidated working list.


Update Regarding Unresolved Unemployment Claims from the Rutgers Shared Work Furlough Program

November 9, 2021

Dear Rutgers Shared Work Furlough Participants:

(If you have no unresolved unemployment claims, please disregard this communication.)

The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) has been overwhelmed with the filing of unemployment claims. As you can imagine, this has been happening in many states across the nation.

We have been working closely with the NJDOL, to resolve all remaining claims. Please know that as soon as we receive your unresolved claims information, we forward it to NJDOL. We have also compiled each reported unresolved claim into a consolidated working list.


Rutgers Employees First Initiative – Upcoming Financial Webinars for Fall 2021

September 29, 2021

Dear Rutgers Colleagues:

As part of our ongoing Rutgers Employees First initiative, we are pleased to announce the next series of webinars focused on financial wellness. The Rutgers Employees First Financial Webinars are intended to provide employees with the tools and education necessary to manage finances and help make the best financial decisions for themselves, their families, and their futures. Webinars are available to all Rutgers employees and are free of charge.

Below is a list of the Rutgers Employees First Financial Webinars and links to register.


REMINDER – Initial Goal Setting is Due September 30th – Non-Aligned Employees

September 14, 2021

Thank you for taking an active part in the initial goal-setting phase of our performance management process. As a reminder, all goal plans for non-aligned employees must be submitted and approved in the performance management system on or before September 30th.

To help you navigate the FY’22 Goal Setting process, the performance management site has online resources including a goal bank of sample SMART goals, tutorials, and FAQs.

Performance Management System and Learning Resources