Group for International Employee Support

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-initiated social groups of University of Wisconsin– Green Bay faculty and staff that share common interests, issues, backgrounds, characteristics, or pursuits. Currently, UW-Green Bay has four active ERGS. Please review information about active ERGs at UW-Green Bay on the Inclusive Excellence Website.

Please see the information below related to the newest ERG:

The key interest of the Group for International Employee Support is to help international employees with questions, concerns, and general social support. This group is focused on interacting and sharing experiences while also guiding each other to new and available resources or local cultural experiences. International employees get a chance to share knowledge and provide support to each other in an inclusive environment. Employees gather once a month during the academic year in a social setting.

For more information about the Group for International Employee Support, please contact one of the following two facilitators:

1. Vallari Chandra (coordinator), Assistant Professor, chandnav@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2496
2. Jagadeep Thota, Assistant Professor, thotaj@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2817.

If you are interested in being contacted by the facilitator of any of the active ERGs, please complete the Employee Resource Group Interest Survey or directly contact a facilitator listed on the Inclusive Excellence Website.

If you are interested in facilitating a new Employee Resource Group, please see the Employee Resource Group Program Guidelines.

 

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Webinars Offered in April

etf

ETF is offering a series of 30-minute, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits. Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions.

5 Basic Steps to Your Retirement: Consider this webinar your quick reference guide to starting the retirement process within the next 12 months. ETF will review: choosing a termination date, how to request a retirement estimate – and how to read and understand it. ETF will also cover how to schedule a retirement appointment and – drum roll here — how to submit the retirement application.

  • Mon, Apr 9, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Apr 20, 2018 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Tue, Apr 24, 2018 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Mon, Apr 30, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Beneficiary Designations- What Happens to My Account When I Die: Do you have a beneficiary designation on file with ETF and does it reflect how you would want your WRS death benefits paid? This webinar reviews the importance of having a beneficiary designation on file and keeping it updated as life events occur. ETF will also review how to correctly complete a designation form, what it means if you do not have one on file with ETF, and how to request a copy of your current form.

  • Wed, Apr 18, 2018 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Apr 26, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Mon, Apr 30, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

How to Use ETF’s Online Calculator to Estimate a Retirement Benefit: ETF’s online retirement calculator, one of the most-used tools on ETF’s website, allows you to calculate an unofficial projection of your WRS retirement benefit at any point in the future. This webinar will cover where to find and how to use the calculator, specific information required for data entry (e.g., desired retirement date, spouse or partner’s birthdate, etc.) and how to interpret the results.

  • Thu, Apr 5, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Tue, Apr 10, 2018 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Tue, Apr 17, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Mon, Apr 30, 2018 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WRS Annuity Adjustments and Effective Rates:  Do WRS accounts receive an investment return? Do investment returns affect how much a retiree will initially receive when they begin their pension? Do those retired in the WRS receive adjustments to their monthly pension amount over the years? This webinar will cover the process of how account effective rates and annuity adjustments are calculated, starting with the investment return reported by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Also covered during the webinar will be explanations of both the Core and Variable Trust Funds and the calculations specific to each fund for effective rates and annual adjustments. At the end of this webinar, it is hoped that you will have a better grasp on how State of Wisconsin Investment Board investment returns affect your WRS pension.

  • Wed, Apr 11, 2018 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Apr 13, 2018 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Apr 18, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Thu, Apr 26, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

WRS Employee Benefits Seminars: Attend a Wisconsin Retirement System employee benefits seminar and come away with a greater understanding of your WRS benefits and how they work. These one-hour evening presentations, hosted by the Department of Employee Trust Funds in cities throughout Wisconsin, are designed for all members, especially those who are within five years of retirement. Topics covered include the retirement process itself, return-to-work rules, the Core and Variable Trust Funds, beneficiary designations, purchasing service, how “life events” affect your benefits, and much more. Questions are encouraged – stick around for the Q&A session afterward

  • Wed, Apr 4, 2018 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Apr 19, 2018 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

 

Register for a webinar

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

 

Long-Term Care Insurance Available to UW Employees

Long-Term Care Insurance covers services that are typically not covered by health insurance, but are vital for a patient, such as assistance with activities of daily living (walking, eating, bathing, etc.). This type of insurance provides financial protection from the rising costs of long-term care. Coverage for care in non-institutional settings such as assisted living, adult day care, and in-home care is also available.

Review Long-Term Care Insurance for plan eligibility and enrollment information.

Each year, the Long-Term Care Insurance plan, authorized by the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF), may distribute one piece of advertisement to employees. The notice from HealthChoice, the Long-Term Care Insurance vendor, can be accessed by clicking here.

For questions contact HealthChoice at 1-800-833-5823 or info@healthchoice.com. Visit www.healthchoice.com/request.php to request an information packet.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Student Employee Appreciation

National Student Employment Week is April 9-13, 2018!  At UW-Green Bay, the week will kick off with a ceremony to announce the Student Employee of the Year award recipient and recognize all nominees.  Watch the UWGB Student Employment Facebook page for more information about the candidates or attend the program on Monday, April 9 at 2:00pm in Phoenix B.  All student employees can take advantage of special free giveaways each day of the week.  Supervisors can check out a list of ideas for showing some extra appreciation on the Student Employment website.

 

Welcome Staci Baumann!

Staci Baumann started as the Assistant Building Operations Manager for the University Union on April 4, 2018.  Prior to joining UWGB, she worked at St. Norbert College for three years.  She was an undergrad at UW-Oshkosh and received her Master’s Degree from UW-Milwaukee in Administrative Leadership, with a concentration in higher education.

Staci has been married to her husband Matt for over a year and is from Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Welcome, Staci!

Facilities Repair Worker – Advanced

This position reports to the Maintenance Supervisor and is responsible for the performance of general facilities maintenance and minor remodeling work to campus buildings and equipment. In addition, this position will perform preventative maintenance to building structures, including cosmetic and/or decorative improvements. This position will provide professional advice with materials and time required to complete various tasks, read blueprints, and follow MSDS recommendations and requirements. This position will also perform mechanical and carpentry repair work, painting, woodworking, train student and/or LTE staff, direct/coordinate student and/or LTE work, and maintain inventory and supplies.

For more information and full position responsibilities, please see the full position announcement.

To ensure consideration, please apply by Monday, April 9, 2018.

Outside Activity Reports and Notification Requirements

Pursuant to Chapter UWS 8 and Regent Policy Document 20-7, all UW System faculty, academic staff, and limited appointees with half-time appointments or more are required to report annually (by April 30 of each year) outside activities and interests related to their areas of professional responsibility and for which they receive remuneration.

All faculty, academic staff, and limited appointees should have received an e-mail on March 8, 2018 from Human Resources with instructions on how to fulfill this requirement as well as an associated escalation schedule for non-compliance. All forms must be returned to your budget unit chair or supervisor by Monday, April 30, 2018.  Your supervisor or chair will forward the completed forms to the Division Leader after they have been signed.

All employees must also be aware of Regent Policy Document 13-4: Wisconsin System Policy on Institutional and Employee Relationships with Educational Loan Lenders. Please review this document, as well as Regent Policy Document 20-22, which identifies guidelines related to employees’ public responsibilities and definitions of those activities that cause a conflict of interest.

Thank you for your attention. Please contact Human Resources at hr@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Reminder: March 31 Deadline for Filing 2017 Flexible Spending Account Claims

Employees enrolled in the Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the 2017 plan year must submit eligible claims for the 2017 plan year to the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Administrator (TASC) for reimbursement by Saturday, March 31, 2018. Eligible claims must be received by TASC or postmarked by March 31. Claims for 2017 must have been incurred January 1 through December 31, 2017 to be eligible to submit for reimbursement from your 2017 account.

You may submit a claim using any of the following methods:

Important: The IRS requires you to include appropriate supporting documentation when submitting a claim. Make sure that your documentation contains the required information before submitting your claim.

As a reminder, the IRS allows up to $500 of unused funds in a 2017 Health Care FSA to be carried over into a 2018 Health Care FSA account. Funds remaining above the $500 carryover after March 31 will be forfeited. The $500 that is carried over does not offset a 2018 election amount. If you did not sign up for a 2018 Health Care FSA during the Annual Benefits Enrollment period last fall, a 2018 account will be created for you if you have carryover. You will not receive a new TASC debit card. Note: There is no carryover provision for the Dependent Day Care FSA.

For questions, contact TASC at 1-844-786-3947 or 1customercare@tasconline.com.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Custodian Float (Open to UW System Employees Only)

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has a current vacancy for a full-time, first-shift Custodian Float. This position works under the general supervision of the Custodial Services Supervisor and is responsible for maintaining the overall appearance and cleanliness of their designated areas. Work performed in this position includes manual cleaning and maintenance of UW-Green Bay buildings. General areas of responsibility include cleaning offices, restrooms, and other building areas; maintaining all floor surfaces, including mopping, buffing, vacuuming, shampooing, and refinishing; cleaning windows (inside and outside); cleaning furniture; assisting with furniture, piano, and equipment moves; stocking restrooms and custodial work areas with necessary supplies and products; waste and recycling removal; and snow removal and salting of building entrances. This position will be required to drive a State vehicle and travel between work locations as needed.

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY OPEN TO UW SYSTEM EMPLOYEES ONLY.

For more information and position responsibilities, please see the full position announcement.

To ensure consideration, please submit application materials by Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Lima Bean, Mushroom, and Barley Soup

IngredientsBarleySoup

  • 1 cup large, dried lima beans
  • 3 tbsp. coarse pearl barley
  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 cups sliced portabella mushrooms
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup diced carrots

Directions 

Wash lima beans and barley separately in cold water. Drain and transfer to a soup kettle.

Add vegetable broth and remaining ingredients; cover and bring to a boil. Cook over low-medium heat until lima beans are soft, about two hours. Serve hot.

Makes 8 servings.
Each serving provides about 110 calories, 0 g fat and cholesterol,130 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 6 g dietary fiber. 5 g sugars,  and 6 g protein.

Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC