Employees must report 2007-08 compensatory leave use by May 25

Part-time employees' health insurance premiums and UF contributions to increase in June

Based on 2007 legislative changes, UF will begin paying higher rates for its employees’ health plans starting with the June 6 payday. Benefits-eligible full-time UF employees will continue to pay the same amount as in 2007. However, benefits-eligible part-time UF employees will experience a proportional increase based on their FTE beginning in June (for July coverage).

New biweekly contributions for full-time employees:

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Lapse in summer deductions for UF-sponsored plans does not impact coverage

If you participate in certain UF-sponsored insurance plans you will notice a temporary increase in take-home pay over the summer. Based on your appointment status, your deduction cycle for these university-sponsored plans will vary.

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People First logon process enhanced beginning April 12

People First has established new password requirements that will affect the way you log onto its web site or access your state benefits information by phone when calling the People First Service Center. Some of the changes include:

• A requirement to select three security questions and provide answers. These will be used to verify your identity and allow you to unlock your user ID and/or reset your password.
• When your password expires or the next time you want to change it, you will be required to create an eight-character, alpha-numeric password to log in to People First. For security reasons, passwords will continue to expire every 90 days.

If you call the Service Center, you will be prompted to enter the following information to verify your identity instead of your password:

• The last five digits of your Social Security number.
• Your six-digit date of birth in MMDDYY format; for example, June 29, 1975 would be entered as 062975.

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Employee Education Program now accepting applications for summer semesters

The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit made available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program covers the matriculation fees of up to six credit hours of covered college-level courses for eligible employees per semester. In the summer, a combined total of six credits taken during semesters A, B, and C may be covered under the EEP.

For program participation requirements, eligibility, and application deadlines please visit www.hr.ufl.edu/education/eep for additional information. For questions about this program, please contact Amanda Moore, education coordinator, at 273-1761 or amanda-moore@ufl.edu.

Employees interested in participating in the Employee Education Program (EEP) during the summer semesters should register and complete their application forms by the following deadlines:

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2008 Davis Productivity Award winners announced

The Davis Productivity Awards, an annual program honoring state government employees throughout Florida, has announced its winners for 2008. These winners include 12 teams and individuals from the University of Florida. In addition to honoring “innovation, creativity, and smart work,” the awards program recognizes individuals and work units that have adapted or implemented previous years' award-winning achievements to create added value.

The teams and individuals from UF identified as 2008 winners are:

Joe Hayden, Senior Engineer, IFAS
Distinguished Cash Award of $1,000

Developed a Maintenance & Utility Trouble Reporting System

NERVE Implementation Team, Public Health and Health Professions
Notable Cash Award of $300

Developed Patient Scheduling, Tracking, and Financial Accounting System

Team Members: Andrea Burne, Shankar Manamalkav

Richard Robinson, Wastewater Treatment Apprentice, PPD
Notable Cash Award of $300

Fabricated Lift Station Air Lance for Grit Removal

Anthony Stefanowicz, Sr. Electronics Technician, PPD
Notable Cash Award of $300

Completed Campus Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Documentation

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Active Pension Plan and Investment Plan members with at least 12 months of service can expect to receive their Personal Forecast Statements soon. The statements began mailing in mid-March and will continue to be mailed over the next few months. This year’s statements will not project FRS and Social Security benefits. Instead, members can use the free resources available through the MyFRS Financial Guidance Program, including:

• Obtaining a retirement income forecast
• Maximizing deferred compensation retirement plans
• Investigating the 2nd Election option, if available
• Receiving a debt management checkup
• Getting a Pension Plan estimate and DROP projection
• Getting free investment guidance

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File 2007 flexible spending account claim forms by April 15

If you participated in a medical or dependent care reimbursement account during 2007, your claims must be submitted by April 15, 2008. Claims may be made for money spent on medical or dependent care expenses during 2007. Please refer to the March 2008 issue of the InfoGator for details on how to file.

Faculty and staff discounts available for UF band camp

The UF Band program is offering UF faculty and staff discounts for their children to attend band camp. The discount applies to attendance at one or both of the UF Bands’ summer camps. Interested individuals should register their children using the group discount rate at the online registration page, http://www.ufbands.ufl.edu, and type the phrase “UF FACULTY/STAFF DISCOUNT” in the comments box on the page.

Camps offered include:  

• Gator Marching Band Auxiliary Camp, July 10-12
• Gatorland Summer Music Camp, July 13-18
• Advanced Drum Major, Student Conductor and Music Major Prep (elective for July 13-18)

For more information on the camps, please visit the UF Band web site. Questions? Contact John M. Watkins, Jr., 392-0223 ext. 212.

UF offers free program to help employees quit smoking

The University of Florida Student Health Care Center is inviting UF employees to take part in a free seven-week program to help them quit smoking.

Participants in the program, co-sponsored by the university’s Employee Assistance Program and Area Health Education Centers Program, will meet once a week during their lunch hour for informational sessions and group support. The first meeting will take place April 21.

The entire education/support program will be led by medical and mental health professionals with expertise in smoking cessation. Participants will receive a significant discount on prescription anti-smoking medications from the Student Health Care Center pharmacy.

Because the success rate of quitting dramatically improves when partners quit together, employees’ spouses and partners are encouraged to participate as well. Each will be charged a flat fee of $100 for the program in addition to the cost of the discounted prescription medications.

Participants must make every effort to attend each meeting, provide a complete personal medical history, notify their primary health care provider of their participation and have a strong desire and commitment to quit smoking. Employees may not use work time to participate in this program. The use of vacation leave to participate must first be approved by their supervisor.

Employees are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible as space is limited. The program is open to all full-time or part-time employees, including OPS staff.

To register for the program or for more information, visit www.shcc.ufl.edu/occmed/esc.shtml.