HR Update; November 10, 2011

In this Edition

UC Benefits Open Enrollment for 2012

For All Eligible Faculty and Staff

Starts: Monday October 31, 8:00 am
Ends: Tuesday November 22, 5:00 pm sharp!
“Make Informed Choices”

General Open Enrollment Information Resources
At Your Service Open Enrollment Website
UCSF Open Enrollment Website

VSP Plan changes for 2012

Change to Choice Network from the Signature Network; 98% of California providers are in the Choice Network.
Improved contact lens benefit. Members pay $10 copay for eye exam and receive $110 allowance toward the cost of the contact lenses fitting exam and contact lens materials.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Open Enrollment is the time to enroll or re-enroll in an FSA. You MUST re-enroll if you want to continue the plan in 2012. If you expect to have between $180 and $5,000 in out-of pocket expenses, you should consider enrolling.
No plan changes for 2012, but under a change in federal law, the 2012 plan year is the final year that you can elect to put up to $5,000 in your Health FSA. Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, the Health FSA maximum election amount will be $2,500.
New this year: A Conexis microsite just for UC members with all the information you need about the FSA plans.
Keep in mind as your choose your 2012 election amount that any money you do not use by March 15, 2013 and claim by April 15, 2013 will be forfeited.

Advantages of a Health or Dependent Care FSA

A planned approach to paying expenses—You set aside money that you will have to pay anyway in a pre-tax account from which you can draw to pay eligible expenses.
Affordable pre-tax contributions—You contribute an equal portion of the total annual amount of your account by pretax deductions each pay period.
Tax savings—Your deductions are taken before taxes reducing your tax liability
Health FSA ONLY - Benefit card convenience—You will have a card that you can use for qualified expenses at participating providers’ offices, drug stores and most pharmacies where credit cards are accepted, so you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket or file reimbursement claim forms. (Be sure, however, to always save your receipts in the event of future requests by the FSA vendor or the IRS to verify that the purchase is valid.)

Become a LivingGreen Office

LivingGreen, the new name for UCSF’s sustainability efforts, has officially launched the LivingGreen Office Certification program, offering a new way to show your sustainability. A toolkit is provided to help reduce energy and water use, and includes energy-saving equipment, reminder stickers, an editable PowerPoint presentation, and free flat-screen replacements of CRTs. Tally up sustainability points with the LivingGreen Office checklist, and work toward basic, bronze, silver, or gold certification.

Certified LivingGreen Offices will be featured on the LivingGreen website and will be eligible to win the Sustainability/LivingGreen Awards next year. Visit the website or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

2011 UCSF Employee Giving Campaign

The 2011 UCSF Employee Giving Campaign is a way for faculty and staff to support the communities where we live and work. From November 14 to December 14, UCSF employees are encouraged to make gifts and pledges to support their favorite charities, including UCSF programs. Visit UCSF’s new Employee Giving website to make a contribution by credit card or payroll deduction, or offline by personal check.

UCSF Development & Alumni Relations will efficiently process and acknowledge all gifts made to UCSF programs. Gifts to external charities via payroll deduction or credit card will be accepted and processed thanks to a continued partnership with Community Health Charities of California.

We hope that all employees will consider a contribution during the campaign. However, gifts may be made at anytime throughout the year. Thank you for your support and participation!

Employee Engagement Survey Results

UCSF has been working on multiple fronts to achieve its goal of becoming the workplace of choice for diverse, top tier talent. The results of the Employee Engagement Survey were recently profiled in a story on UCSF Today. Click here to read about the survey results and the University’s efforts to encourage great management and career growth and development.

Upcoming Learning and Development Classes

Communications Skills Class
When: Thursday, November 17, 8am–12pm
Where: Laurel Heights Regents Room S-1
Cost: $160
This workshop teaches participants how to improve the critical communication skills of listening, asking questions and being aware of nonverbal messages. It also helps participants who are struggling to find that middle ground between being too aggressive and too passive, and how to counter the challenging communication tactics of difficult people. Participants learn more about the elements of our communication with others that help us reveal appropriate information about ourselves, and how to get a handle on effectively managing our professional image through effective communication.

Log on to the UC Learning Center and type “communication skills” in the search box to register.

Problem Solving and Decision Making Class
When: Saturday, November 19, 9am–4pm
Where: Laurel Heights Regents Room
Cost: $160.00
Why is it that some people find it easy to solve tough problems with simple solutions while others find this feat quite challenging? The power to find creative solutions to problems lies in your ability to fully understand the facts that surround a situation, view the situation from multiple perspectives, and put that information together in ways that work. This is another outstanding workshop presented by Raj Kapur of The Center for Project Management.

Log on to the UC Learning Center and type “decision” in the search box to register.

Project Management Series
When: Monday, November 14 & Thursday, November 17
Location: Laurel Heights Regents Room S-1
Cost: $160 per session

This series augments the Project Management Basics class by providing more detail for those who manage more complex projects.

Session #1: Initiating a Project–Recognize the critical importance of having a clear, shared understanding of the project at the outset by creating a comprehensive project charter.
Session #2: Planning and Estimating a Project–Learn how to build a professional grade project plan and detailed estimates.
Session #3: Scheduling and Tracking a Project–Learn how to convert your project plan and estimates into a project schedule, as well as, track and communicate project status.
- Each session will feature numerous hands on, team-based exercises with sufficient time to practically apply the content to real-life UCSF projects.
- Every student will receive a comprehensive, Excel-based project management toolkit featuring over 30 best practice templates.
- Students will receive a certificate of completion from the Center for Project Management after successfully completing all three sessions in the series.

Log on to the UC Learning Center and type “project management” in the search box to register.

Free UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs for Faculty & Staff

Are you ready for retirement? Start to plan now - it’s never too early. Check the Retirement Readiness Workshop Schedules for new listings today!

Did You Know? You may attend a workshop at any UC campus. Just check the schedule for your preferred location and sign up online.

UC Retirement Plan (UCRP): UC’s Defined Benefit Plan

Schedule “The Features of UCRP” workshop for your department - click here
Read about The Future of UCRP

The UC Retirement Savings Programs: 403(b), 457(b) & Defined Contribution (DCP Plans)

Attend a Workshop at a location near you and make your reservation online - click here for the schedule
Arrange to have these workshops at a meeting in your department – click here
Focus on Your Future - Resources

Share Your Bright Ideas

Share your Bright Ideas! Do you have an idea that will change our campus for the better? The UCSF Medical Center, UCSF School of Medicine, and Office of Sustainability now have an online suggestion box for employees to submit ideas that will improve UCSF’s ability to run operations more safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Go to the Bright Ideas website to share, vote and comment on ideas.

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