HR Update; August 14, 2009
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In this Edition
- BART Strike Contingency
- UC Expands Policies Regarding Buyback of UC Retirement Plan
- UCSF Joins New San Francisco Health Care Network
- September Development & Training Classes
- UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
BART Strike Contingency
As you’ve probably heard, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) workers may strike Monday. In the event that the strike goes forward, I’m writing to share resources and alternatives to BART with you, and to ask that employees impacted by the strike make arrangements with their supervisors so that UCSF can continue business as usual.
We encourage you to explore carpooling/vanpooling, telecommuting from home if operationally feasible, and/or arranging flexible work schedules temporarily.
Additional transportation information can be found at http://campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/transportation/
Commuter tips are available by calling 511 and asking for “rideshare,” or visiting http://www.511.org/ 511.org can assist you with starting a carpool, directing you to a RideMatch Service, and finding schedules for buses and ferries. 511.org also has links to transit agency sites for information on modified services.
BART plans to offer limited charter bus service between downtown San Francisco and some East Bay BART stations. You can find more information on that option, as well as updates on the strike at: http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2009/news20090623.aspx
UC Expands Policies Regarding Buyback of UC Retirement Plan
As announced in the April Human Resources and Benefits Briefing Newsletter, effective May 1, 2009 UC expanded the policies regarding buyback of UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) service credit for eligible leaves of absence and redeposit of contributions by active employees. The changes include:
- New re-payment options
- Option to elect buyback outside of the 3-year window
- Increase in buyback timeframe beyond 2 years
- Option to buyback part of a leave in full year increments
To learn more about these options, visit At Your Service. A new Buyback booklet will soon be available on the website.
UCSF Joins New San Francisco Health Care Network
If you’re a member of HealthNet or Anthem Blue Cross Plus and utilize services at the UCSF Medical Center/Children’s hospital, a change will take place next year that could affect how you and your family members access care at the Medical Center. All doctors in the UCSF Medical Group will join Hill Physicians Medical Group in San Francisco, effective January 1, and will no longer participate in Brown & Toland Medical Group.
Brown & Toland and UCSF will end its long-standing affiliation on December 31. A new referral-only agreement is being negotiated with Brown & Toland. That agreement is expected to require prior authorization for referrals from Brown & Toland primary care doctors to UCSF specialists.
Although you don’t need to take action now, if you want unrestricted access to UCSF specialists next year, you will need to select Hill Physicians Medical Group and a Hill Physicians primary care doctor in San Francisco, Daly City or South San Francisco. We will provide information during Open Enrollment (October 29 to November 24) on how to make this selection should you care to. Open Enrollment also provides you with the opportunity to switch medical plans.
Keep in mind though the contractual relationship between the UCSF Medical Group and Brown and Toland will change, Brown and Toland remains a medical group option for Health Net and Anthem Blue Cross Plus members. Employees enrolled in Kaiser Permanente HMO, Blue Cross preferred provider organization (PPO) or CIGNA PPO will not be affected.
More information about your options will be available by mid-October, including information about selecting a Hill Physicians primary care doctor. Assistance to address your specific concerns also will be offered during Open Enrollment.
Information for the general public, not specific for UC employees, is available at http://www.accessUCSF.org and http://www.HillPhysicians.com/UCSF. Please note the Hill Physicians website provider search function will be updated in September to include all of the physicians from UCSF and many practitioners from St. Mary’s and Saint Francis.
September Development & Training Classes
Develop your skills and knowledge by attending a class next month:
- Employee Role in Performance Appraisals
Make the most of your performance appraisal this year. Learn to play an active role in the evaluation process, creating a collaborative relationship with your supervisor.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., $35, Laurel Heights - PAM of EMF Award Setup
Learn to navigate the set-up activities between the Research Administrative System (RAS), the General Ledger (GL), and the Account Fund Profile (AFP) systems, and ensure that each award complies with restrictions and standards.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 9 – 4 p.m., $35, Laurel Heights - Working with Integrity
Provides tools and processes for effective ethical decision making
Friday, Sept. 11, 9 – 11 a.m., $35, Laurel Heights - PAM of EMF Compliance
Learn the key compliance issues and audit risks when managing sponsored projects, including associated internal controls.
Friday, Sept. 18, 8:30 – 12 p.m., $35, Laurel Heights - Travel and Entertainment
Learn to accurately process both travel and entertainment expenses.
Thursday, Sept. 17, 8:30 – 12 p.m., $35, Laurel Heights - OLPPS Weblinks
Learn to use WebLinks to 1) create personnel reports for performance evaluation, merit review, equity adjustments and other matters associated with the renewal process and 2) download information for use in departmental reports.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9 – 12 p.m., $0, Laurel Heights - Computer Training Classes
Topics include Excel, Access, programming, web design, SQL, bookkeeping and more. Learn in the classroom, at live-on-line webinars, and in self-paced online courses.
To learn more, visit the Development & Training website Course Catalog and Enrollment. For more information, contact Development & Training at 476-4032.
UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
Please pass this on to your colleagues, circulate invitations, post the actual scheduled workshops happening near your location, or otherwise re-broadcast these weekly reminders about our valuable (FREE) education programs for faculty and staff. Bring your lunch; your questions; your spouse/partner.
- UC Retirement Plan (UCRP)-UC’s Defined Benefit Plan
- “The Features of UCRP”
- Schedule this workshop for your department—click here
- The Future of UCRP
- UC Retirement Savings Plans - the 403(b), 457(b) and DC Plans
- “Taking Charge of Your Financial Fitness”
- August 19, Parnassus, HSW – 300, 9 a.m.
- August 19, Mission Bay, Genentech Auditorium, 1 p.m.
- “Enrolling in Your UC Retirement Savings Program”
- August 18, Mission Bay, Genentech Auditorium, 9 a.m.
- August 31, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 10 a.m.
- “Determining Your Right Investment Strategy”
- August 18, Mission Bay, Genentech Auditorium, 10:30 a.m.
- August 31, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 11:30 a.m.
- “Quarterly Market Perspective”
- Coming again soon
- “Achieving a Sound Retirement”
- Coming again soon
- “Understand the How-tos of Fidelity’s NetBenefits Website”
- August 18, Mission Bay, Genentech Auditorium, 12 p.m.
- August 31, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 1 p.m.
- Refer to these schedules for details and future workshops
- Focus on Your Future!
Usually there can be at least one (or more) workshop(s) per week scheduled at various UCSF locations around town. For more details and listings for upcoming scheduled presentations, please refer to our Workshops and Presentations Schedules menus found at our local UCSF HR/Benefits website.
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