UCSF home pageUCSF home pageAbout UCSFSearch UCSFUCSF Medical Center
UCSF navigation bar
HR Home | Jobs | Benefits | Training | Policies | Staffing/Comp | Disability Mgmt | FSAP | Publications | TEP
Username Password Lost password? | Help
Trouble Logging in to At Your Service? Email: customer.service@ucop.edu

HR Update; April 10, 2009

Subscribe to HR Update with RSS

In this Edition


Back to Top

Statement by UC President Yudof Regarding Employee Furloughs

The University of California faces a serious fiscal challenge. Even with the state budget just adopted, we have a $450 million problem over two years, counting both the actual state budget cuts we have sustained and the unfunded cost increases we are seeing for enrollments, utilities, health benefits, and similar costs.

As we confront all of these financial challenges, we must acknowledge that the University’s greatest asset – its human capital – comprises a significant amount of its budget.  More than 70 percent of our core budget is devoted to faculty and employee salary and benefits.

The State of California has implemented furloughs for State employees; we have not thus far.  But particularly with the new projections of State budget shortfalls, I believe we need to begin planning for the possibility of employee furloughs and/or temporary and permanent salary reductions as an additional element of the University’s response to the State budget contraction.

To that end, I have asked Executive Vice President Lapp and Interim Provost Pitts to work with Human Resources, the General Counsel and the Academic Senate to develop such a contingency plan.  My goal is to produce for consideration by The Regents in May a flexible Regental Standing Order that would serve as a broad legal framework to allow for both systemwide and campus-by-campus furloughs and salary reductions, should deteriorating financial conditions so require. 

In my view, such an order should include two critical components – first, a delineation of roles and responsibilities of The Regents, Chancellors, the President and the divisional Academic Senates in determining whether to impose furloughs and salary reductions; and second, flexibility for each campus to implement these actions in ways appropriate to their unique circumstances, including the need to maintain clinical health enterprise operations, ensure public safety, and honor existing union contracts and government regulations. 

Only when we have in place these decision-making processes and implicit recognition of the need for campus autonomy should we move forward with the actions necessary to respond to our changing fiscal situation.

The statement can also be found online at the UC Newsroom. Read the Spanish version.

Back to Top

Deadline for StayWell and Kaiser Health Assessment Incentives Is April 15

Eligible faculty and staff who complete the StayWell health assessment by April 15, 2009 will receive a $100 gift card and eligible spouses/domestic partners will receive a $50 gift card. To be eligible for the incentive this year you must have been enrolled in a UC medical plan on January 1, 2009. After the incentive deadline, eligible employees and spouses/domestic partners will have access to the StayWell website and any follow-up wellness coaching services. 

Because CUE bargaining unit members and their eligible spouse/domestic partner became eligible after January 1, 2009, the deadline to complete the health assessment and receive the incentive has been extended to June 10, 2009.

(Employees represented by some UC unions may not be eligible because participation was not agreed to on behalf of their members during collective bargaining. See list of bargaining units not participating in StayWell in 2009.)

UC Kaiser members and their family members aged 18 and older who did not take a health assessment in 2008 have until April 15, 2009 to take a health assessment and become eligible for a prize drawing which includes an iPod or a $500 gift certificate redeemable at a variety of stores. Members who previously took the assessment are encouraged to take it again as a way to monitor health improvements, but will not be eligible for the incentive.

Back to Top

Online Back-Safety Training

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the US. It affects 80 percent of all Americans at some time in their lives. While pain or discomfort may be felt anywhere in your back, the most common area affected is the low back, which supports most of your body’s weight.

Back pain is often times not the result of a single event. It is generally the result of multiple stressors on the body from improperly standing, sitting, or lifting for a long time. Then, suddenly, one simple movement such as bending to pick up the paper in the morning can cause pain. Keeping your back healthy is important to enjoy every aspect of your life. 

We all do some lifting whether it is part of our jobs or not. Protecting your back, when you do so is important to preserve your back health. An online Back Safety Training is posted on Research Online. We strongly recommend all UCSF Faculty and Staff to complete the Back-Safety Training.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ergonomics needs, do not hesitate to contact the campus ergonomist at .

Back to Top

Farmers’ Market Coming to UCSF Mission Bay Campus

Beginning April 22, 2009 there will be a weekly Farmers’ Market at UCSF MB from 10 a.m. – 3p.m. The market will run through November 25, 2009. Vendors will be selling organic and non-organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers and more on the Plaza at Mission Bay Housing, Gene Friend Way between 3rd and 4th Streets.

The Farmers’ Market at Parnassus also continues weekly on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is held in the ACC Breezeway between Milberry Union and the Ambulatory Care Center.

These markets brings healthy, seasonal, and convenient food options to the UCSF community. Help support local farmers along with UCSF’s mission of promoting health worldwide.

Back to Top

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.

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. 

Back to Top

############################################

HR Update is distributed weekly to individuals on the following listservs: Campus Administrators, Managers and Supervisors, HR Policy, Payroll Administrators and Benefits Representatives.

You can also sign up for the HR Update Mailing List

For more information, including on how to be removed from this list, please read more about UCSF Distribution Lists