Human Resources Communication

September 21, 2005

PHONE: 818-677-2101

MAIL DROP: 8229

UNIVERSITY HALL 165

Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

HR QUICKLINKS:

HR Communication Archive

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/newsletters/

Benefits Administration

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/benefits/

Compensation & Employment

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/comp/

Payroll Administration

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/payroll/

Employee Relations

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/relations/

Professional Development Programs

http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/training/

All of us have witnessed the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The CSU recognizes that in light of the catastrophic nature of this event, some CSU employees may have the need to take time away from their CSU responsibilities. The system, after consultation with our unions, is providing opportunities for paid service for some volunteers and those activated by selected local, state, and federal governmental agencies. Please refer to http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/pdf2005/HR2005-41.pdf or contact Benefits Administration for further information.

Direct Deposit is now available to all CSUN Employees, including Student Employees

All CSUN employees are now eligible to participate in direct deposit for payroll. Direct deposit offers many benefits including convenience, security, and reliability. No need to wait in line at the bank. Encourage everyone you know to take advantage of this fabulous benefit.

For more information regarding direct deposit, see the Payroll Administration website at
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/Payroll/index.html

Open Enrollment September 15 - October 15, 2005
Open Enrollment information packets have been mailed to your department. You may also visit http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs and click on 2005 Open Enrollment. If you do not wish to make changes to your medical/dental plan, no action is required. If you wish to continue to participate in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) and/or Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA), you must re-enroll by completing the worksheet. Please send your completed worksheet to Benefits Administration - Mail Code 8229, by October 15, 2005. If you are not taking advantage of our Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment, now is the time to start. We all have out-of pocket expenses for medical, dental, and vision; and possibly daycare expenses, before and after school care, and adult day care. You can offset these out-of-pocket expenses with your CSU Health HCRA and DCRA. Please refer to the Open Enrollment material for further details and join us at the Benefits Fair to speak to a representative.
Organization Chart Update
The campus has purchased a software program called Org Publisher to automate the production of organization charts. The projected implementation date is the first week in October. There will be additional information provided as we get closer to implementation. The organization charts will be view only and it should be noted that they are produced from data in position management, and in particular to the "reports to" relationship identified in position management. Therefore, it is critical that the data in position management is accurate. For example, if the position has no position identified as it's supervisor (blank reports to field), the position will not appear on the organization chart. Departments should check their job roster (Department Position Roster tab) to ensure that the positions they show accurately reflect their organization. Also, please note that if a position is reporting to a pooled position (multiple incumbents - such as job code 1800, 1870, 2358, 4660, etc.) it will not appear on the organization chart. For a detailed listing of pooled positions and other related questions, please visit: http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/process/pos_mgmt_process.pdf. NOTE: For purposes of the organization chart ONLY, job code 2360 is considered a pooled position and will not appear as an individual position on the organization chart, but will be summarized. Therefore, any position reporting to a 2360 will not appear on the organization chart. Position changes and updates (inactivation, "reports to" changes, department code changes, etc.) can be revised by filling out the Request for Change in Staff Employee Status Form (http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/forms/atozformindex.html) and submitting it to the Office of Human Resources for processing. Questions related to employee changes can be directed to your Compensation and Employment Manager.
Benefits Fair
Don't miss our Benefits Fair on September 28, 2005 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the USU Grand Salon. Come and visit with representatives and see all that CSUN has to offer you. Have your blood pressure and body fat tested and enter the vendor raffles. Enjoy refreshments and pick up some free giveaways. We look forward to seeing you there.
Address Changes May Impact Delivery of your W-2
If you moved during this tax year and have not yet changed your address with HR, please do so. To ensure your W-2 is delivered by the Post Office in January, please have address changes submitted by 11/11/2005. Duplicate copies of W-2s due to undisclosed address changes are charged $8.50 per copy (as of today) by the State Controller's Office, and may take 4 to 6 weeks to receive. The most convenient method of submitting an address change is through PeopleSoft Self-Service: Log on through the portal at www.csun.edu/portal Click on Services for Faculty & Staff Click on My Personal Information Click on Home Address to review and edit your address Do not attempt to use a CSUN business address or a foreign address; those addresses will be rejected. Address changes can also be made using the Employee Action Request form (STD 686) for Faculty and Staff, and Student Payroll Action Request (STD 457) for Student Employees. Forms are found at: http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/forms/payrollforms.html
Fee Waiver and Reduction Benefit
Don't miss out on using your Fee Waiver and Reduction benefit. The Professional Development Programs (PDP) office is accepting applications now for Spring 2006 semester. Fee waiver applications can be obtained at http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/forms/atozformindex.html and submitted to PDP before October 5th. Submitting your application on time will guarantee that the benefit is available to you; late enrollments result in an increased cost to the university. Late enrollments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the benefit can be authorized. To help staff in planning and meeting deadlines, the PDP office will accept applications three (3) semesters in advance. More than 450 people are currently enrolled and receiving this benefit for Fall 2005.
Professional Development Programs
September and October offer several valuable sessions for staff development. On September 29th "Handling Customer Criticism and Complaints" is offered in support of raising our service levels. Service is the one area that will always differentiate one department from another. Service is a core responsibility in meeting our university mission. Kandice Taylor-Sherwood will lead this session and provide tools in resolving service issues. An additional learning opportunity that will strengthen communication is a session titled "Coaching Conversations." This engaging workshop will teach you how to make difficult conversations easier and more productive. Learn the "COACH" model and the process for giving constructive feedback. Communicating does not have to lead to tension or conflict. This process will teach you the skills necessary to provide direction to those around you, while reducing conflict. Join Susan Leahy in this session and find the answer to having constructive conversations. To register for the above sessions or for a list of all programs offered through December, please visit our website at http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/training/courses/index.htm.
CalPERS Long-Term Care
Time goes by so fast and before you know it the application period is over. Don't miss your opportunity to protect yourself and eligible family members with the CalPERS Long-term Care program. The deadline for applying is September 30, 2005. Call 1-800-266-1050 to request your application kit or visit http://www.calpers.ca.gov/ today.