Dear Rutgers Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well and that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Below are several important UHR announcements and reminders regarding employee discounts, university holidays and closures, and holiday gift guidelines.
Employee Discounts and Caregiver Support
If you have not already done so, please sign up for the Rutgers Caregiver Support Pilot Program. Care.com providesregular, short-term and ongoing care to eligible Rutgers employees to aid with your children, older loved ones, pets, home, and more. There is also a discounts program, powered by LifeMart, which will allow employees to save on their holiday travel and gift needs. Learn more about eligibility, enrollment, and how to take advantage of your subsidized backup care by visiting the Rutgers Caregiver Support Pilot Program website.
University Holidays and Closures
The 2024 University Holiday and Closings Schedule is now available on the UHR website. The posted schedules are reflective of holidays and closures for all Rutgers entities. Please review the list and plan accordingly.
Holiday Gift Guidelines
At Rutgers University, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct, serving as diligent custodians of the public trust while upholding the principles of academic integrity. Amidst the season of holiday festivities, it is common for our valued university vendors to extend gestures of gratitude or invitations to social gatherings. To ensure that our actions align with our established principles, it's imperative for employees to revisit University Policies 60.1.31, 60.4.2, and 60.5.8, which serve as essential references for determining the appropriateness of accepting gifts or participating in social events organized by entities associated with the university.
As a guiding principle, while nominal value gifts like calendars, pens, or items offered widely to the public are permissible, they should not create an impression of endorsement. Conversely, personal gifts or items of value from individuals or organizations engaged in university-related business should not be accepted. In the event of receiving such items, it's necessary to return them promptly. Perishable gifts can be channeled towards local charitable causes, ensuring their meaningful utilization.
It is crucial to inform the vendor why a gift cannot be accepted and specify whether it's being returned or donated to charity. Additionally, it is recommended for employees to abstain from attending vendor-hosted holiday social gatherings. Further guidance is available on the General Counsel website and the Rutgers University Ethics Website.
Thank you for all that you do for Rutgers University.
Sincerely,
Vivian Fernández
Senior Vice President for Human Resources