HR Update; October 26, 2007
RSSIn this Edition
- Opportunities—Open Enrollment for 2008
- Change in UC Health and Welfare Programs for 2008
- UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
- UC Management Update: CNA Bargaining
- Staff Training in November
- Natural disasters or other emergencies
- UCSF Fall/Winter Holiday Schedule
- The Effects of Exercise on Symptoms of Depression
Opportunities—Open Enrollment for 2008
Have you considered participating in the Flexible Spending Accounts?
• Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)
Well, why not? Flexible Spending Accounts enable you to set aside pre-tax dollars from your salary and then (once you’ve incurred eligible, out-of-pocket expenses) reimburse yourself those tax-free dollars from your HCRA and/or DCRA funds. To further evaluate if this plan is right for you go to the SHPS Calculator, run some numbers, and check out the advantages. It’s also important that you review the Summary Plan Descriptions for the plan(s) that interest you.
Why not start here. Go to the Open Enrollment site for the Flexible Spending Accounts. It’s as easy as one, two, three.
1. Review the HCRA and/or DCRA Summary Plan Descriptions.
2. Run some numbers on the SHPS Calculator.
3. Make informed choices for you and your family members.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Flexible Spending Accounts require re-enrollment each plan year for continued participation. Also please budget carefully, per IRS rules remaining funds at the end of the claim period will be forfeited.
Change in UC Health and Welfare Programs for 2008
An Integrated Strategic Approach
Given increasing medical plan costs, market dynamics and a strong desire to support a healthier workforce, the University leaders took a step in 2006 to take a fresh look at UC’s medical program. Through evaluation and research it became clear that the University needed to develop a long term integrated strategic plan to ensure benefit costs are managed in ways that maintain the competitiveness of UC’s total compensation package offered to faculty and staff.
A new strategy was created and focuses on developing and monitoring four key components:
- Portfolio Management
- Monitor changes in the market and work with health plan vendors to improve partnership, quality, and cost
- Employee Engagement
- Engage employees in improving personal health practices through education, tools and incentives
- Specialty Solutions
- Explore service options for employees that are delivered outside of the traditional health plan
- UC Medical Center Linkage
- Reinforce the value of UC Medical Centers as a key provider to UC employees
The changes to the medical plan menu of options for 2008 represents the first step towards meeting these goals but there continues to be opportunities for improvement in the future.
In consultation with the University’s Faculty Welfare Committee and its Task Force on Health, the Compensation and Benefits Task Force and other partners and constituencies, the University leaders will continue efforts towards their long term strategy, an integrated strategic approach.
Medical Plan Bidding Process, 2007
UC’s Total Compensation Package 2008
UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
Are your ducks all in a row? Start to plan now—it’s never too early.
• UC RETIREMENT PLAN—UCRP
• UC RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS—403(b), 457(b), and DC PLANS
Please pass this on to your colleagues, circulate invitations, post the actual schedules, 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
- Coming Again Soon
- Refer to these schedules for details and future workshops
- The Future of UCRP
- UC Retirement Savings Plans—the 403(b), 457(b) and DC Plans
- “Enrolling in Your UC Savings Program”
- October 31, SFGH, Carr Auditorium, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- November 1, Parnassus, Toland Hall, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- November 5, Laurel Heights, LHts – 384, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- November 7, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- “Determining Your Right Investment Strategy”
- October 31, SFGH, Carr Auditorium, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- November 1, Parnassus, Toland Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- “Achieving a Sound Retirement”
- October 31, SFGH, Carr Auditorium, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- November 5, Laurel Heights, LHts – 384, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- November 7, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- “Understand the How-to’s of FITSCo’s NetBenefits Website”
- November 1, Parnassus, Toland Hall, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- November 5, Laurel Heights, LHts 384, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- November 7, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Refer to these schedules for details and future workshops
- Schedule one of these meetings for your department
- Focus on Your Future!
- “Enrolling in Your UC Savings Program”
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.
UC Management Update: CNA Bargaining
Further explanation of the bargaining process and the current state of UC’s negotiations with CNA
Frequently Asked Questions available on the web
UC and CNA recently agreed on a declaration of impasse. While the term “impasse” sounds final, it is simply another step in the negotiation process. Below, you’ll find a brief explanation of the law that governs UC’s collective bargaining agreements and its provisions for the negotiation process.
The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act
HEERA is the state law that regulates labor relations between the University of California and California State University systems, their employees and the labor organizations that represent their employees. HEERA is administered by the Public Employment Relations Board. PERB conducts elections, decides representation election questions, determines whether to accept declarations of impasse filed by either party when negotiations break down, and investigates and makes decisions regarding Unfair Labor Practice charges filed by employees, labor organizations and the universities. The Act’s provisions are provided here as a service.
The Negotiation process
HEERA provides that in negotiating contracts the parties engage in good faith negotiations to try to resolve their differences and to attempt to achieve a signed, written contract. In the event the parties cannot reach agreement, HEERA provides impasse procedures. These procedures involve intervention in the negotiation process by a mediator (provided by the State Mediation & Conciliation Service or mutually selected by the parties to the contract). If mediation fails, the law provides for a “factfinding” process wherein both parties present their respective positions on unresolved bargainable issues, and a factfinder issues recommendations to attempt to resolve the differences between the parties on the unsettled issues. At the conclusion of fact-finding, if the parties cannot reach agreement after considering the factfinder’s recommendations the recommendations are made public, and the employer may decide to implement a contract unilaterally. If the union still disagrees with the employer’s position, it may choose to strike in furtherance of its demands and to continue negotiations.
Where we stand with CNA
CNA has filed a declaration of impasse and, the University has informed PERB that it agrees an impasse exists. If the PERB agent finds that we are indeed at impasse PERB will submit our case to the State Mediation and Conciliation Service, who assigns a third-party mediator to join our discussions with the union. The mediator’s job is to help the two parties reach compromise on the remaining issues. While there is no set timeline for mediation and factfinding, this part of the negotiation process generally takes a few months.
The University remains committed to providing UC nurses with up-to-date information on the negotiation process. Please visit http://www.ucnurses.com for the latest news.
Staff Training in November
New this month:
Free Web Secrets Lunch & Learn!
• Secrets of the Web: Tips & Tricks You Need to Know
Bring your lunch, relax and learn about little-known websites and online resources: email tricks, work related stuff you can download for free, office productivity tools on the web, and much more!
Fri, Nov 2, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., $0
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=117671
New Post Award Management of Extramural Funds Course
• PAM of EMF: Advanced OLFS WebLinks for Sponsored Projects
Learn to identify and analyze problems using WebLinks and ERS reports. Class will use sponsored project case study scenarios.
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=118641
Fri, Nov 9, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $35
Discover 40+ November courses:
Click on a course link to learn more and register. Please share this list with coworkers and those you supervise.
Management & Leadership Courses
• Managing Diversity
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=50933&
Wed, Nov 14, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $35
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=50932
Tue, Nov 13, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., $0
• Supervising According to Union Contracts & PPSM
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=1942
Thu, Nov 8, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., $35
• Working with Integrity: Ethics for the UCSF Community
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=96198
Tue, Nov 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, $35
Business and Administrative Processes Courses
• Cash Deposit Basics
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=93587
Thu, Nov 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, $35
• General Ledger / Fund Accounting Using OLFS Weblinks – Part I
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=107253
Thu, Nov 1, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $35
• General Ledger / Fund Accounting Using OLFS Weblinks – Part II
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=107254
Thu, Nov 1, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., $35
• OLPPS WebLinks - Payroll Personnel Reporting
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=1909
Tue, Nov 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., $0
Career and Self-Development Courses
• Build a Partnership with your Supervisor
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=1797
Thu, Nov 1, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $35
• Juggling Priorities & Projects
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=1797
Tue, Nov 13, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $35
Research Administration Courses
• PAM of EMF: Advanced OLFS WebLinks for Sponsored Projects
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=118641
Fri, Nov 9, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $35
Technical Support Partnership Courses
• Mac OS X / Windows System Imaging – Deploying Dual Boot Images for Mac
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114186
Tue, Nov 13, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., $0
Computer Software Courses
Free Lunch & Learn!
• Secrets of the Web: Tips & Tricks You Need to Know
Fri, Nov 2, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., $0
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=117671
• Access 1 (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113562
Mon - Tue, Nov 26 - 27, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., $255
• Access 2 (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113565
Wed - Thu, Nov 28 - 29, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $255
• Access and Excel Tips & Tricks
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113671
Fri, Nov 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Access VBA (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114898
Mon - Tue, Nov 26 - 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• Acrobat (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113645
Mon – Tue, Nov 5 - 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• Ajax (Three Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114524
Wed – Fri, Nov 7 - 9, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $1017
• Captivate (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114986
Mon - Tue, Nov 26 - 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• ColdFusion (Three Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114522
Mon – Wed, Nov 19 - 21, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $660
• Dreamweaver 1
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113575
Wed, Nov 14, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Dreamweaver 2
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113637
Thu, Nov 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Thu, Nov 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Fri, Nov 30, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Excel 1
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113342
Mon, Nov 5, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Mon Nov 19, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Excel 2
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113407
Tue, Nov 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Tue, Nov 13, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Tue, Nov 20, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Excel 3
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113410
Wed, Nov 7, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Excel VBA (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114895
Mon – Tue, Nov 5 - 6, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., $417
• Flash 1 (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114519
Thu - Fri, Nov 8 - 9, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• Flash ActionScript (Three Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114984
Tue – Thu, Nov 13 - 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $597
• HTML 2
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113789
Wed – Thu, Nov 7 - 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $255
• Indesign 1 (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114521
Tue – Wed, Nov 13 - 14, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• Intro to Programming (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114903
Wed - Thu, Nov 28 - 29, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $537
• Java & JSP (Five Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114981
Mon - Fri, Nov 26 - 30, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $1170
• JavaScript for Programmers
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114980
Fri Nov 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $237
Fri Nov 30, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $237
• Microsoft Project 2
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113634
Tue, Nov 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• Photoshop 1 (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114517
Mon – Tue, Nov 19 - 20, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $417
• PHP, Apache, MySQL (Five Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114523
Tue - Fri, Nov 13 - 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $1170
• PowerPoint 1
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113413
Thu, Nov 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
Fri, Nov 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• PowerPoint 2
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=113415
Fri, Nov 9, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $135
• PowerPoint 3
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114902
Wed, Nov 21, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $150
• SQL Scripting
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114899
Fri, Nov 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $210
Fri, Nov 30, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $210
• XML Fundamentals (Two Day Class)
http://training.ucsf.edu/?x=114985
Mon – Tue, Nov 19 - 20, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $537
Natural disasters or other emergencies
Natural disasters or other emergencies are unfortunate events that are occurring on a more regular basis and at times with little or no warning. When a natural disaster or emergency occurs, all members of the community are affected. The University would like to take this opportunity to extend its best wishes to all those affected by the wild fires in Southern California, as well as provide guidance to University staff members regarding available leave options for time spent responding to or assisting in a natural disaster or other emergencies.
In accordance with the leave provisions in policy and the University’s collective bargaining agreements, employees may be granted administrative leave with pay due to natural or other emergencies for the period of time authorized by the Chancellor. For UC employees who assist with emergency response efforts to state-declared or federally declared disasters, the following guidance and options are available:
For employees with special skills, such as medical personnel, scientific and technical personnel, and environmental health and safety personnel, who are members of University-sponsored response teams that are organized on a university-wide or local basis and are being sent to assist with the relief efforts, administrative leave with pay may be granted for the duration of the assignment.
For employees who, on their own initiative, wish to volunteer to aid with emergency response efforts or relief work, administrative leave with pay generally will not be granted unless it is warranted by extraordinary circumstances. Vacation leave and/or leave without pay may be granted, depending upon operational considerations. In all circumstances, the employee must coordinate any requests with his or her supervisor.
For employees who need to assist or care for family and friends directly affected by a disaster, sick leave and/or vacation leave may be utilized, as well as family and medical leave and personal leave consistent with policy and where applicable, collective bargaining agreements. When considering employee requests, the University strongly encourages supervisors and all other decision makers to make every effort possible to help their staff in identifying paid leave, unpaid leave and other options to assist family and friends during the time of need.
For more information regarding leave options, please contact the Labor and Employee Relations Analysts assigned to your department.
UCSF Fall/Winter Holiday Schedule
Please note that UCSF will be observing the following holidays:
Veterans Day
• November 12, 2007 (Monday)
Thanksgiving Holiday
• November 22, 2007 (Thursday)
• November 23, 2007 (Friday)
December Holiday
• December 24, 2007 (Monday)
• December 25, 2007 (Tuesday)
New Year’s Holiday
• December 31, 2007 (Monday)
• January 1, 2008 (Tuesday)
Campus department heads may choose to close their departments from Wednesday, December 26, 2007, through Friday, December 28, 2007, or any portion thereof, based on operational needs. If a department is closed, employees will be allowed to take days off and charge them to accumulated vacation, compensatory time off, or leave without pay. Further, only in those campus departments that will be closed, for newly appointed employees or other employees who have insufficient vacation leave accrued, departments may advance the necessary amount of vacation leave prior to the time it is accrued in order to ensure continued paid leave status. Any department that decides to close during the holiday should contact Labor/Employee Relations as soon as possible to ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
If you have any questions regarding the holidays, please contact your Labor/Employee Relations Analyst in the Human Resources-Client Services Center (general extension is 476-3905) for campus staff employees. For Medical Center staff employees you may contact the Medical Center Human Resources Department (514-4909), or for academic employees, the Academic Affairs Office (476-1881).
For future reference, the administrative and academic calendars and communications can be found at http://saawww.ucsf.edu/admission/calendar.html
The Effects of Exercise on Symptoms of Depression
Depression is the psychological equivalent to the common cold in that there is more than one method of treating the symptoms of each. While medication is the ‘gold standard’ for treating depression, exercise may be an alternative for alleviating the symptoms of depression.
Depression
Clinical depression affects all aspects of a person’s life. It impairs our ability to sleep, eat, work, and get along with others as well as get along with ourselves. It impairs our self-esteem, damages our self-confidence, and interferes with our ability to accomplish everyday tasks. People who are depressed find daily tasks to be overwhelming and at times impossible. Even when absolutely exhausted, sleep is difficult to come by for the depressed.. Motivation is lacking as is interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression puts a pessimistic spin on how we see ourselves, the world, and our future. This negative view cannot be willed away and ignoring it will not make it simply disappear.
Exercise May Attenuate Depressive Symptomatology
Depression is often treated with antidepressants or psychotherapy or both. In addition, there is a growing body of literature suggesting that exercise greatly improves depressive symptoms immediately and over the long haul. When in a depressed state, however, motivation to exercise is difficult to come by. In answer to the motivation problem, researcher John Bartholomew, PhD has found that even small amounts of exercise (i.e., as little as 10 to 15 minutes daily) can lift symptoms of depression.
Dr. Bartholomew reports that many persons with depressive symptoms tend to self-medicate with alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco in order to manage their daily routine. He suggests that brief spurts of exercise are healthy alternatives to these rather toxic attempts to feel better.
Types of Exercise Recommended
• Walking
• Jogging
• Running
• Inline/Roller Skating
• Walking up and down stairs
For Additional Support:
Call the Faculty and Assistance Program (FSAP) located at the Laurel Heights campus (3333 California Street). The Faculty & Staff Assistance Program provides voluntary, confidential, consultation to management and individual counseling services to the employees of the University of California, San Francisco. The FSAP team consists of licensed counselors who provide consultation and brief counseling services.
References
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression
http://www.allaboutdepression.com/cau_01.html
Related Articles
http://www.azcentral.com/health/fitness/articles/0510wsj-exercise
http://www.hdlighthouse.org/see/diet/triad/exercise/duke.htm
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