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Human Resources Communications Newsletter

March 20 , 2009

Table of Contents

From the Associate Vice President

    

Staff Service Awards and Recognition Event

Every year, we acknowledge the dedicated service of faculty and staff celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of continuous service to the university and/or its auxiliaries. This year’s celebration, “CSUN – the First 50 Years,” will be held on Wednesday, June 3 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Northridge Center Complex in the University Student Union (refreshments will be available at 8:30). Watch for the list of honorees in the March 30th issue of @CSUN. All honorees and their supervisors are invited to attend.

During this celebration of service, we also recognize significant contributions by individuals and teams. The President’s Award is reserved for one CSUN staff member who “demonstrates consistently outstanding performance and who serves as a role model for other people by living the values of the university.” The Award of Merit is presented to staff members who demonstrate exceptional performance and integrity in service to the university community. A maximum of ten awards are given.

The Team Award honors a team of staff members who collaborate on a project, process or other significant initiative that brings about radical, positive change that improves performance and/or image, or increases productivity and/or reduces costs. 
These awards arise from nominations from university colleagues. Please take the time to nominate someone who has made a significant contribution to the university.

Information on the Recognition of Excellence Awards, including the criteria and nominating process, is online: http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/development/awards/index.html.

 

Benefits Administration

CalPERS Retirement Fairs

Learn about your CalPERS benefits and the retirement planning services available to you at a free CalPERS Retirement Planning Fair. For information and fair dates and locations visit http://www.calpers.ca.gov  and click on 2009 Retirement Planning Fairs.

CalPERS Retirement Workshop

There is still room to attend!
Strategic Planning for Your Future: an Important CalPERS Retirement Workshop
Presented by Mindy Fox, CalPERS Representative
Tuesday, March 24th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., or 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Presentation Room, Oviatt Library

If you would like to attend, please feel free to drop in on one of these sessions; no late registration required.

New to CSUN?

Have you recently joined the CSUN family as faculty or staff? If you started work on a day other than Monday, you may have missed the Monday Morning Benefits/Payroll Orientation. In this session, Human Resources representatives review information about your benefits and pay system. Included is an opportunity for you to complete your enrollment forms for health care, which must be submitted within 60 days of your start date. If you’ve missed this session, check with your supervisor about attending a session during your first month.
Once approved, contact your Benefits Representative directly for more information and/or to reserve your spot. For last names starting with A-K, email Monica Escontrias at monica.escontrias@csun.edu; for last names starting with L-Z, email Cathy Salazar at cathy.salazar@csun.edu. 

CSU Retiree Voluntary Vision Plan

We are pleased to announce a new voluntary vision benefit for CSU retirees and their eligible dependents, effective January 1, 2009. VSP will be the vision carrier for the new program (they are also the carrier for employees). For additional information please refer to: http://www.calstate.edu/HR/benefitsportal/retiree-vision/retiree_oe.shtml

Communication


New Links from the myNorthridge Portal

It is easier than ever for CSUN staff members to access HR information!  The myNorthridge portal for Staff now includes the following links under Human Resources/Employee pagelet:

 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 

What's New with the EAP? 

The Employee Assistance Program continues to develop new programs, services and resources with you in mind. As part of our pledge to CSUN employees, we hope to provide you with services that are both relevant and meaningful with regard to your home and work life.  

Here’s what’s new with the EAP:

EAP Web Additions

EAP Lunchtime Learning Sessions

For a current schedule of Lunchtime Learning Sessions, press enter.


EAP Programs and Services

Human Resources would also like to remind you that the Employee Assistance Program provides individual consultations for the purpose of helping CSUN faculty & staff resolve personal challenges they may be struggling with in their lives. The EAP Coordinator, Dr. Debra Rozanski, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who can assist and identify resources on a broad variety of issues. The EAP offers brief intervention, assessment and referral for treatment and/or community services best suited for your particular situation. We do not, however, provide ongoing treatment or counseling. We are committed to safeguarding your right to privacy. Information you share during an EAP consultation is confidential and will not be released to ANYONE without your written permission. The only exception to confidentiality is when the information is required by law to be reported to authorities.
Please view the EAP web page http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/eap/index.htm for all of the latest information about EAP services and programs.
If you have further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Debra Rozanski, Ph.D., EAP Coordinator, at: (818) 677-2681 or debra.rozanski@csun.edu.

Employee Relations

 

Drug-Free Campus and Workplace

The updated Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Policy is now available on the Office of Human Resources website at: http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/relations/drug_free_campus.htm. 

The brochure contains useful information about work-related problems and health risks associated with alcohol and other drug abuse problems. Also listed are campus and community resources available to faculty, staff, and students. Please take a moment to review this important information.

For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources/Employee Relations at (818) 677-6566.

Human Resources Academic Personnel

New! Human Resources Academic Personnel Website

The responsibility for processing compensation for Academic Personnel has been moved to Human Resources under the direction of Frank W. Stranzl, the Manager of Faculty and Compensation Programs.  We provide guidance to departments and colleges on processing appointments and compensation for employees in Unit 3 and Unit 11 and work closely with HR Operations and HR Payroll to assist faculty, librarians, lecturers, counselors, coaches and academic student employees resolve compensation questions. 

Watch our website in the coming weeks for new documents and guides.  Click here to link to the website.

Payroll Administration


W-2 Not Received/Duplicate Needed

If you have not received your W-2, please verify your address online with Human Resources. From the CSUN home page (www.csun.edu):

If your address on the myNorthridge portal is correct and you did not move within the past three months, please inform your departmental HR representative and they will contact Human Resources to identify if your W-2 has been returned to CSUN.

A duplicate copy of a W-2 can be requested from the State Controller's Office. Information is online: http://www.sco.ca.gov/ppsd_empinfo_dpw-2.html.

Changes in Federal Tax Rates

Changes in Federal Tax Withholding rates, as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, may result in more take-home pay with payments issued on or after March 31, 2009. For additional information, please refer to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html.

Earned Income Tax Credit

If you earned wages up to $41,646 in 2008, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $4,824. The Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can put money in your pocket without affecting eligibility for Medicaid, food stamps or other assistance. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a tax return to receive EITC. For more information or to obtain the necessary forms to apply for this refundable tax credit, call 1-800-829-1040, or visit http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html.

Did You Know?

 

Professional Development

 

April Workshops

For full descriptions of Professional Development workshops and registration information, click here.

Effective Time Management: It’s a Skill You Can Learn…..If You Take the Time
Thursday, April 2, 2009

New Employee Welcome and Orientation
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Creating a Positive Work Environment
Thursday, April 16, 2009

Meetings That Work
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

May Workshops

For full descriptions of Professional Development workshops and registration information, click here.

 Emotional Intelligence at Work
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Managing for Stellar Customer Service: Help Make CSUN Shine!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

New Employee Welcome and Orientation
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Recruitment Services

 

New! Recruitment Services Website

Recruitment Services provides consultative services and full cycle recruiting through the on-line application system, including job posting, advertising, screening and departmental support. Now, hiring departments and applicants can access forms, how-to's, FAQs and other information on the new Recruitment Services website. When you're getting ready to hire someone, we're here to help!  Click here to link to the website.

Please note that we have changed “Employment Opportunities” to “Jobs@CSUN.”  Same information, new name.

 

SOLAR HR

 

NEW SOLAR HR Training Available

Updated documentation and training sessions are now available for SOLAR HR users. Be on the lookout for e-mail invitations, and check out the SOLAR HR web page at http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/solar for the latest documentation and training schedules. Whether you’re new to SOLAR HR or an “old-hand”, in-person training sessions can be helpful to better understand the whole business process, as well as the system entries and activities. Managers are also invited to sessions. Join us!

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Questions or comments about HR Communications? Contact Marianne Hudz at x 5246 or by email, marianne.hudz@csun.edu.