UHR News
University Human Resources
January 18, 2008
Questions? Please use the contact information found within each article for the fastest reply.
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Get Active U & Get Away! Register Now for Active U 2008
Are you ready to take that first step toward becoming more active? Or, do you want to take your current fitness routine to the next level? Then become a part of MHealthy’s Active U 2008, the eight-week physical activity challenge designed for every fitness level. Join individually or recruit a few of your co-workers and join as a team.
Once you’ve signed up for Active U, you’ll receive free access to U-M fitness centers, chances to win weekly prizes, a reduced risk of heart disease, more muscle tone and a chance to win a $500 travel voucher toward a vacation getaway! There is also a charity component that supports charities chosen by randomly selected teams and individuals, so you’re not only helping yourself but you’re also supporting some great causes along the way.
Register at www.MHealthy.umich.edu by February 5.
Active U runs February 5 – April 1.
Questions? Call 734-975-3056 (dial all seven digits) or email mhealthy@umich.edu
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Look for January’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item!
It's easier than ever to make healthier snack choices at UMHS and campus vending machines.
January’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item is BAKED! LAY'S Original Potato Crisps – look for the “GOOD CHOICE of the Month” sticker on the package. Each month, a GOOD CHOICE item is selected and sold at a reduced price. It’s a perfect opportunity to try something new!
Michigan Healthy Community’s GOOD CHOICE program has selected dozens of healthier food and beverage items, each identified with the GOOD CHOICE logo. MFit nutrition guidelines for fat, sugar, sodium, cholesterol and fiber are used to determine healthier choices in vending machines, at participating dining locations and through U-M Catering.
For more information on the GOOD CHOICE program, visit www.mhealthy.umich.edu.
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Michigan Healthy Community launches Understanding U
At some point, we’ve all had to deal with a difficult time or event, whether a serious illness, stress at work or home, the loss of a loved one, or some other circumstance that impacts our mental and emotional well-being. To help U-M faculty and staff cope with concerns like these, MHealthy has launched a new program called “Understanding U: Managing the Ups and Downs of Life.”
Understanding U includes a comprehensive website covering the entire mental health spectrum, from everyday challenges to diagnosable, treatable illnesses such as depression. Look for information on common concerns and mental health conditions, tools and strategies to help manage everyday stress, confidential online screenings, a directory of U-M and area resources and an online tutorial for managers (available January 2008).
Understanding U encourages all of us to be proactive about our emotional and mental health and provides useful information on how to get assistance when dealing with life’s challenges.
Visit the Understanding U website at: http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/understandingu/index.html
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Rising generic use saves U, individuals money
Use of generic drugs by faculty, staff, retirees and dependents in the U-M drug plan has increased from 43 percent to 65 percent since January 2003 when the University's prescription drug plan was implemented. This increase in generic use has reduced the projected drug cost increase for the University by millions of dollars and sustained lower co-pays for drug plan members, U-M officials say.
"More than 860,000 prescriptions have been filled each year since 2003 for the 82,000 faculty, staff, retirees and dependents in our plan," says Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources. "In a community of that size, the cost savings for the University and the plan members can be very impressive with even modest behavioral changes."
Thomas sees individual health decisions as an important factor in curbing costs in the future.
Read the complete article at the University Record:
http://www.ur.umich.edu/0708/Jan14_08/00.shtml
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PeoplePay improves process for payments to individuals
The University will replace Forms G and G-2 with more specialized payment forms beginning Feb. 18, and will offer a new Web tool to guide users to the right form for accurate processing of payments.
Called PeoplePay, the site asks simple questions to quickly determine the correct process or form to use when making payments to a person for services.
"There are many instances when faculty and staff members need to pay an individual for services, royalties, moving expenses or other purposes," says Norel Tullier, director of university payrolls. "The process for paying individuals is much different from paying organizations, and PeoplePay is a single source for quickly determining the correct type of payment for the circumstances. With a few clicks, PeoplePay will tell you whether payment should be made to an individual as an independent contractor or an employee, or will direct you to Procurement Services if your circumstances do not qualify for a payment to an individual."
PeoplePay interchanges will be offered between January and March at various campus locations. To view the schedule and an outline of the topics to be covered, go to www.hr.umich.edu/peoplepay.html.
Read the complete article at the University Record:
http://www.ur.umich.edu/0708/Jan14_08/05.shtml
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Reminder: Appropriate Handling of Sensitive Data
As an employee, and steward of University information resources, you have a responsibility to handle sensitive data appropriately. This means you may only access such information on a strict need-to-know basis as it relates to the performance of your job duties. You must not disclose such information with other employees unless they have a job-related or legal need to know.
If you are a manager, it is important to periodically remind your staff and ensure they not leave forms/reports that contain sensitive data “in the open” making the data easily readable by others. Irresponsible use of sensitive data is a serious offense and requires immediate manager intervention and documentation.
Do's:
- Do ensure all employees have read and signed appropriate forms regarding use of sensitive data.
- Do use the shredding bins to dispose of papers with sensitive data.
- Do “cover” forms or reports that contain sensitive data so only those who need-to-know have access.
- Do inform others of the appropriate use of reports.
- Always have a “need-to-know” question before generating a report containing sensitive data.
Don’ts:
- Don’t leave files or forms with sensitive data uncovered or in the open.
- Don’t share information with a coworker unless there is a business reason.
- Don’t transmit forms or data via emails without appropriate warnings/reminders to the recipient.
What’s considered Sensitive Data?
Name |
Ethnicity |
Birth date |
Address |
Gender |
Phone |
National ID (i.e., SSN) |
Leave of Absence Reason |
Country of Citizenship |
Disability Information |
Citizenship Status |
Marital Status |
Grievance Information |
Criminal Record |
Discipline Information |
Date of Death |
Visa/Permit Data |
Military Status; Veteran’s Information |
Driver’s License |
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For more information download the quick reference (http://www.mais.umich.edu/access/policies.html)
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Fidelity Investments: Look Forward with Confidence to Retirement Day
Knowing you can reach your retirement goals. That’s retirement readiness. And you can begin taking the steps to achieve your goals when you meet with a Fidelity Retirement Counselor. These sessions are designed to help you become better informed and more confident in planning for your retirement.
Please join Fidelity Investments for a confidential consultation. You will learn about investing for retirement and get a better understanding of the steps you can take to ensure your retirement readiness.
Consultations are conducted at:
- Michigan Union
- Michigan League
- Medical Professional Building
- Medical Inn Building
- North Campus-Pierpont Commons
- University Hospital
- Flint Campus
- Dearborn Campus
To schedule your confidential consultation call
1-800-642-7131, Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-midnight, ET, or reserve your space at: http://www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservation
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Get More Help on Your Retirement Plans – Anytime – with TIAA-CREF
In Person
TIAA-CREF has a consultant who is available to meet with you individually to discuss your investments needs and to conduct retirement planning workshops at many different U-M locations including Ann Arbor Campus, Health System, Flint and Dearborn. To view upcoming dates and locations and to register for an appointment or seminar, please click here http://www.tiaa-cref.org/umich or call the TIAA-CREF Ann Arbor office at 866 842-2949, extension 6804.
Online
Two of the more popular Financial Education Seminars (Pre-retirement and SRA/IRA) created specifically for U-M employees continue to be available for viewing 24/7 by clicking here: U-M Web Presentations http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/tiaa-cref .
On the Phone
You can talk to a TIAA-CREF representative about investment choices, income options, pre-retirement illustrations and other ways to help get the most from your retirement plan, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET at 800 842-2776.
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