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Human Resources Communications Newsletter
October, 2007
- Open Enrollment - Benefits
- Additional Options in Healthcare Programs Offer Reduced Premiums
- Monthly Retirement Planning Meetings Offered
- Campus Closures and Holiday Schedule
- Absence Management
- California Minimum Wage Reminder
- Campus Safety
Open Enrollment – Benefits
Open Enrollment is now in effect and extends through Friday, October 12, 2007. During Open Enrollment, you can enroll in Medical, Dental, FlexCash, and Health Care / Dependant Care Reimbursement Account Plans (HCRA and DCRA). You may also change health plans or add eligible family members at this time. If you’re not sure about the benefits of participating in FlexCash, HCRA or DCRA, please contact your Benefits Administrator at x 2101: Monica Escontrias for last names starting with A-K and Cathy Salazar for last names starting with L-Z.
During the month of August, CalPERS mailed all enrolled members an Open Enrollment packet. It details new medical plans being offered as well as changes to Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente. For more information, visit https://www.calpers.ca.gov/index.jsp?bc=/member/health/2007-oe-landing.xml .
Additional Options in Healthcare Programs Offer Reduced Premiums
We are pleased to announce that several of our healthcare premiums have been reduced. Effective January, 2008, PERS Care and PERS Choice have lowered their monthly premiums. We also have two new plans, PERS Select and Blue Sheild Net Value. PERS Select offers a much smaller network of providers than PERS Choice; however, the premiums are also much lower. Blue Shield Net Value does not require any monthly premiums regardless of the number of dependents. With multiple plans to choose from, you will want one that is right for you and your family. Please visit our website at http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/benefits/ to obtain more information on our health benefits, Open Enrollment and the 2008 premiums.
Monthly Retirement Planning Meetings Offered
Are you considering retirement? Even if you have several years before you anticipate life-after-work, you may find it helpful to start planning. Benefits Administration now offers monthly group retirement meetings to assist you with your CalPERS retirement preparation. Take this opportunity to learn and share information with your colleagues. If you are interested in attending a monthly meeting, sign up through Mary Snipes at x2728 or mary.snipes@csun.edu.
Campus Closures and Holiday Schedule
CSUN consolidates state holidays in order to provide a longer break during the end of December.
We will be closed on the following dates:
Veteran's Day Observed - Monday, November 12, 2007
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday,November 22, 2007
Admission Day Observed - Friday, November 23, 2007
Campus Closed* (not a covered holiday) - Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Columbus Day Observed - Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Lincoln's Birthday Observed - Thursday, December 27, 2007
Washington's Birthday Observed- Friday, December 28, 2007
Campus Closed* (not a covered holiday) - Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year's Day - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A full list of campus holidays for the 2007-2008 academic year is available online. Link to the Campus Holiday Schedule
* Please note that Monday, December 24th and Monday, December 31st are not covered holidays. You may use vacation, Compensatory Time Off (CTO) or your personal holiday to cover these days.
Absence Management
We have enhanced our capabilities for absence management. The new features include:
- Employees can track their own available sick and vacation time;
- Managers are able to track the absence reports for all employees in their divisions.
- Reports are accessible online based on departmental roles.
- Within the Approver page, names are now listed with last name first, and users can view department ID, job code, and employee record number.
For your convenience, Absence Management Quick Reference Guides and instructions are available online: http://www.csun.edu/solarsupport/
California Minimum Wage Reminder
The California Minimum Wage will increase to $8.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2008. To facilitate this change, hourly rates of pay that are below $8.00 per hour will be centrally adjusted in December. Consequently, it will not be necessary for departments to process any changes for those individuals. Changes to the Student Assistant/Work Study Student Compensation Plan and Salary Schedule are being reviewed and will be communicated when finalized.
Campus Safety
Safety is important! We strive to reduce risks on campus, and provide employees with training on everything from hazardous materials to ergonomics. The following tips will assist employees in preventing injuries and accidents on campus:
- Read and comply with procedures and guidelines provided by your supervisor;
- Attend training sessions and comply with all applicable safety requirements;
- Inform your supervisor of workplace hazards without fear of reprisal;
- Ask questions of your supervisor when there is concern about an unknown or hazardous situation; and,
- Report injuries/illnesses to your supervisor prior to the end of your shift.
For more information on the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, please refer to the Environmental Health and Safety website:
http://www-admn.csun.edu/ehsr/ehs/programs/iip_pgm.htm
In the unfortunate and unlikely event that you are injured while on campus:
- Immediately report the injury to your supervisor.
- Seek medical care:
- First Aid: If the injury requires medical attention requiring no more than 2 visits, you may seek care at the Student Health Center. These injuries include cuts, scrapes and scratches.
- Injuries beyond First Aid: You will be referred to the campus’ occupational medical facility, US HealthWorks. If you have a Personal Physician Pre-designation Form on file with the Office of Human Resources, you may seek treatment with that doctor. Injuries in this category include broken bones, loss of consciousness and injuries to your eyes.
- Serious Injuries: Must be reported to the Environmental Health and Safety Office by your supervisor as soon as possible but no later than 8 hours after the accident.
- Emergency: Immediately call 911.
- Have your supervisor file a Supervisor Accident Injury Report: http://www-admn.csun.edu/ehsr/ehs/forms/supervisor_accident_rpt.htm and submit to HR and Environmental Health & Safety Offices within five days of the incident.
- For injuries requiring more than First Aid, or if you are seen by US HealthWorks, you will need to complete an Employee’s Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits Form (DWC-1). This form and instructions are available online: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWCForm1.pdf.
- Provide copies of doctor’s notes (within 1 day of the incident) to your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources Workers’ Compensation Coordinator.
- For more information, and to access any forms you might need, please refer to the Workers’ Compensation website: http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/relations/workers_comp.htm
Your feedback is always welcome. Please contact Marianne Hudz, marianne.hudz@csun.edu, with any questions, comments or feedback about this publication.