Medicare Part D Information Sessions

As a service to faculty and staff who may be assisting family members with issues related to the new Medicare Part D program, Human Resource Services will be offering educational sessions about the new federal benefit as part of its ongoing LifePlans series. A variety of different plans and plan providers are available to eligible retirees through the new prescription plan offered by Medicare.

Sessions will be offered at the following locations and times. To register, visit Training and Development and click “Register for Courses Now!” After signing into the myUFL system, click “Request Training Enrollment,” then search for course number GET594.

• Tuesday, February 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 287 Reitz Union
• Tuesday, February 28, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., 285 Reitz Union
• Tuesday, March 7, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 285 Reitz Union

Additional LifePlans sessions include:

Florida Retirement System/DROP (Course Number: GET120)

• Tuesday, February 14, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 287 Reitz Union
• Wednesday, March 1, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 287 Reitz Union

Social Security Benefits (Course Number: GET581)

• Wednesday, February 15, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 286 Reitz Union
• Wednesday, April 5, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 285 Reitz Union

Investment Planning: Basics (Course Number: GET577)

• Wednesday, March 1, 10 a.m to 12 noon, 287 Reitz Union

Guidelines for Personal Budget (Course Number GET500)

• Tuesday, March 21, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 287 Reitz Union

Women, Wisdom, and Wealth (Course Number GET520)

• Wednesday, March 22, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 287 Reitz Union

Building Your Financial Future (Course Number GET571)

• Tuesday, April 4, 10 a.m.-12 noon, 287 Reitz Union

To register, visit Training and Development and click “Register for Courses Now!” After signing into the myUFL system, click “Request Training Enrollment,” then search for the course of interest.

Experiencing a work or life-event status change?

UF employees experiencing or expecting to experience a “qualifying status change” should contact University Benefits and Retirement as soon as possible to ensure they receive the appropriate benefits. Employees have only 31 days after a qualifying event occurs to make coverage changes. A status change includes any of the following:

• Start of or return from leave of absence (i.e., parental or medical leave)
• Marriage
• Termination
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Death or ineligibility of a dependent
• Court order pertaining to children (i.e., legal guardianship or a divorce decree)
• Change in FTE
• Gain or loss of other coverage
• Eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid
• Change in spouse's employment

If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-1225 (SC 622-1225) or benefits@ufl.edu, or contact your HRS satellite office.

Double deductions begin for nine- and ten-month employees

To ensure coverage for health, state life, optional and supplemental insurances continue during the summer, nine- and ten-month employees will have double-deductions taken from their paychecks beginning with the February 3 paycheck and continuing through May 12. Normal payroll deductions will resume on September 1.

Nine- and ten-month employees whose pay will be interrupted during this period or who will terminate employment at the end of the spring semester should contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-1225 (SC 622-1225) or benefits@ufl.edu.

FICA Alternative Plan implemented January 13

UF implemented a new retirement plan for certain types of OPS, seasonal, and temporary employees, effective with the 1/13-1/26/06 pay period. This new retirement plan, called the FICA Alternative Plan, is administered by BENCOR Inc. Eligible employees will be automatically enrolled or un-enrolled in this mandatory plan based on their salary-plan status during future pay periods.

Additional information is available on the HRS web site at www.hr.ufl.edu/benefits/ficaalternative.htm

If you have not already done so, please encourage eligible employees to review this material and to complete and submit the enrollment form that identifies beneficiary information to BENCOR. Questions? Contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-1225 (SC 622-1225) or benefits@ufl.edu.

What to do in the event of a workplace injury

If you are ever injured as a result of performing your job or become ill because of conditions in your workplace, please follow the instructions below.

• Notify your supervisor immediately and contact the UF Workers' Compensation (UFWC) office at 392-4940 (SC 622-4940). Even if you do not think you need medical care, you should contact UFWC to discuss your injury.
• In the event of an emergency, visit the nearest emergency room.
• Otherwise, contact UFWC before you go to a medical care provider for assistance in selecting a provider to treat your injury. Be prepared to show identification.
• After treating your injury, provide both your supervisor and UFWC with medical documentation of your initial work status and any subsequent changes to it. Your authorized medical care provider must support, in writing, all injury-related time away from work.
• Contact your supervisor daily or according to a schedule established by your supervisor in order to keep him/her informed about your current work status, ongoing treatment, and prognosis for recovery.
• Attend all scheduled medical appointments. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Read UF’s modified duty statement. Once your medical provider has released you to return to work, regardless of the limitations or restrictions assigned, you must be willing and available to return to the workplace.

Contact the UFWC:

• If you are uncertain as to which medical care providers are authorized providers
• If you are unable to attend a scheduled medical appointment
• For assistance with recording your time and/or leave for doctor appointments, leaves of absence, and when you are receiving workers' compensation salary benefits
• For assistance if you have concerns related to your claim or require additional medical attention
• If your work unit does not provide you with modified duty work

Remember: Absence from work due to a work-related injury or illness will count toward your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitlement as set forth in the Act.

The university is concerned for your health and well-being and is committed to providing you with a safe work environment. 

UF supervisors:  Are you ready for the Performance Management Initiative?

UF supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend a session on the university's new Performance Management Initiative, which will take effect this March.  With the Performance Management Initiative, a standard evaluation time period for all USPS and TEAMS employees will be established—March 1 to the last day of February—creating more consistency in the assessment of employees. The new appraisals will be due by March 31 of each year.

To register for any of the sessions, click “Register for Courses Now!” at www.hr.ufl.edu/training. Search for course code “GET150, Performance Mgmt Overview.” Employees who are not in supervisory positions are also welcome to attend to learn more.  A version of the session, along with frequently asked questions, is available on the web at www.hr.ufl.edu/performance.

Questions about the Performance Management Initiative? Contact Employee Relations at emprel@ufl.edu. For information about training, please contact Training and Organizational Development at training@ufl.edu.

Planning a summer retreat or need a professional meeting facilitator?

Whether you simply need a session facilitated or would like help with your next faculty or staff retreat, Training and Organizational Development provides a range of services to meet your needs. Training and Organizational Development facilitators can help you clarify your goals and guide group discussion while ensuring your retreat stays on track and avoids unnecessary tangents or pitfalls. Professional meeting facilitation also is available to help ensure your agenda is followed and meeting objectives are met. Training and Organizational Development's standard programs can be customized for your team, department, college, or group. Some fees may apply. Please contact Training and Organizational Development at training@ufl.edu or 392-4626 (SC 622-4626) for more information.

How cyber-safe is your computer?

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the University of Florida's IT Security Team are presenting a free, day-long seminar for the public on March 1 to help citizens and businesses protect themselves from dangers on the Internet.

The Cyber Security Awareness for Everyone (C-SAFE) seminars will begin at 8:45 a.m. in UF's Reitz Union Auditorium. UF students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the Gainesville community, are encouraged to attend.

C-SAFE will focus on how citizens and businesses can secure their computers and safeguard themselves from cyber crimes such as identity theft, cyber stalking, and viruses. Topics will include safe e-mail practices, preventing identify theft, recognizing scams, and securing wireless networks. To register, please visit www.secureflorida.org.

Updates about the event can be found at: http://infosec.ufl.edu/events/.