Author: deeringk

ADA Accommodation Process Improvements

The Office of Human Resources is pleased to share some process improvements for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation requests. Historically, all accommodation requests have been funded directly by the employee’s primary department.  In an effort to promote the value and support of requesting a reasonable accommodation, University Leadership has approved the creation of a central pool of dollars that can be used for ADA accommodation requests.

Benefits to this new central pool for ADA accommodations include:

  • Creating less need for those outside of the employee (and direct supervisor as applicable) to have information about the particular ADA accommodation.
  • Allowing the Office of Human Resources to retain ownership of equipment upon departure of an employee so that equipment can be reused as needed.
  • More consistency between how employee accommodations and student accommodations are handled at the institution.

Central funding for accommodation requests is effective on July 1, 2022, the start of the 2022-2023 fiscal year.  In addition, the Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities website has been updated with additional information and resources for employees and supervisors.

Please contact Human Resources at hr@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390 with any questions.

Annual Bank Vacation Period for Academic Staff & Limited Appointees

Academic Staff and Limited Appointees with a 12-month appointment have an annual opportunity to bank unused vacation after completing 10 or more fiscal years (July 1 through June 30) of continuous service. The deadline to bank unused vacation allocated in fiscal year 2021-22 is September 30, 2022.

Instructions for viewing your leave balances and banking unused vacation are available in the Banked Leave Conversion Tipsheet. Vacation and carryover balance hours that are eligible to be banked may be viewed beginning July 1.

How Much Vacation Can You Bank?

Years of Continuous Service Hours That Can be Banked *
First 10 Years 0
10+ to 25 Years 40
25 Years and Over 80

* The amount of vacation that can be banked is prorated for part-time employees.

There is no limit to the total number of hours (balance) that can be retained in your Banked Leave account. Once vacation is banked the hours do not expire.

When Can Banked Leave Be Used?
With your supervisor’s approval, banked leave hours may be used whenever you are allowed to use paid leave.

What If You Terminate Employment?
Unused banked leave hours will be paid to you at your wage rate at termination.

Resources:

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Resources for Mental Health Well-Being

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also affects how we manage stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental health well-being is important from childhood through adulthood.

Take a moment to think about your mental health well-being. Below are early warning signs that suggest you may benefit from reaching out to a mental health expert.

• Eating or sleeping too little or too much
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Experiencing mood swings
• Arguing consistently with family or friends

Improving your mental health well-being may help you realize your full potential, cope effectively with stress, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to your community.

SilverCloud, a self-guided mental health resource implemented in 2020 will no longer be available to employees and students as of June 30, 2022.  Review the UW System Mental Health Resources to understand the benefits programs available to UW System employees that include mental health support services.

You can get more information about mental health at www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Resources During the Infant Formula Shortage

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has created a website (Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage | HHS.gov) with information and resources related to the infant formula shortage.

In addition, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Kepro offers a variety of online resources, including articles related to infant formula that employees may access at any time by visiting Kepro’s website: sowi.mylifeexpert.com. (Username: SOWI).