We just found out that there will be a Baptist Hospital advertisement in the newspaper this weekend in which Baptist Hospital lists the insurance providers they have contracted with.  QualChoice is listed.   However, this does not apply to UAMS employees who are enrolled in our medical plan.   

 

Baptist Hospital and QualChoice recently reached an agreement allowing Baptist Hospital as a network provider for the QualChoice fully-insured health plan.  Baptist Hospital is not yet a participating provider for members of the University of Arkansas Self-funded Medical Plan.    The University System Office has established a committee to evaluate the potential impact of adding an additional in-network hospital.  Once this committee has completed its evaluation, a decision will be made regarding this issue and would then be communicated.  We will keep you posted. 

Department Heads, Business Officers, and Timekeepers:

 

It is our pleasure to announce a major change in the process of recruiting staff employees, including recruitment of nurses (faculty recruitment is not affected).  Beginning January 30, 2006, all new applications for employment will be done on-line, replacing the pen-and-paper application we’ve always used.  Further, the process of finding qualified applicants will move away from “web extender” and be done within the HR module using a new SAP transaction.

 

Managers and others who make hiring decisions need to accomplish several actions between now and February 1:

 

·    Attend a demonstration and training session.  A training schedule, process slides, tutorial, and Business Process Procedure (BPP) are attached.

 

·    Become SAP competent, if they are not already using SAP.  Each must complete at least the “SAP Introduction” course, being taught twice a month.  See “SAP Training” at the Enterprise website:  http://intranet.uams.edu/enterprise/sap/default.asp

 

·    Obtain the SAP role of “Department Recruitment Only”. This is the security authorization necessary to run the new recruitment transactions in SAP.  A new “Data Access Request Form” with this new role is being created and must be completed by the department head to authorize the user to have this new role: see  http://intranet.uams.edu/enterprise/sap/newuser.asp

 

The benefits of this process change include

 

•  Moving the application process from paper-based to electronic, including on-line entry of applicant data by the employee/applicant. 

•  Posting vacant positions with a workflow requisition within SAP (to be launched later this spring)

•  Automatically creating vacancy lists from SAP data for web posting – not tied to Wednesday publication of the list each week

•  Automatically matching education and experience of the applicant with the qualifications for the position as stated by the hiring manager

•  Delivery of the resume and other documentation within SAP framework, instead of using “web extender”.

 

Please feel free to call us with questions of concerns:

 

Betty Collier, OHR Director of Compensation and Recruitment: process owner, 296-1767

Darryl Lunon, Sr. OHR Consultant:  team member, 296- 1733

Kim Finne, OHR Director of U-Temps: team member, 686-7076

Norman Sward, Senior Director of Human Resources:  project manager, 603-1303

FYI, below are 2006 IRS changes that affect taxes and benefits.    Feel free to forward to employees in your department who would be interested in this, particularly those who are highly compensated.      The new FICA and retirement limits may impact your department budget (e.g. fringe benefit costs).

 
FICA Taxes

7.65% continues to be the FICA tax rate for both the employee and UAMS.     

§          6.2% of FICA is Social Security and appears as Fed EE Social Security on your pay stub.   The taxable wage base for Social Security increases from $90,000 to $94,200.    If you make over $94,200 in 2006 your deduction will stop when it hits $5,840.40 (.062 x 94,200).  

§         1.45% of FICA is Medicare and appears as Fed EE Medicare on your pay stub.   This tax applies to all your wages.   There is no maximum.

Retirement Contribution Limits

§         The maximum pre-tax contribution limit [Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code] increases from $14,000 to $15,000.    If you are age 50 or older as of 12-31-2006 you can do an additional $5,000, bringing your total pre-tax limit to $20,000.    The pre-tax limit applies separately to your 403b plan and 457b plans.    You can put $15,000/$20,000 in the 403b plan and another $15,000/$20,000 in the 457b plan, all pre-tax.     All you have to do is elect what % you want deducted from each check.   Our office monitors the limit and automatically rolls your contribution over to the 457b plan when your 403b pre-tax limit is reached (unless you elect to not participate in the 457b plan).

If you make pre-tax contributions to another employer retirement plan (such as the VA Thrift Savings Plan), you are personally responsible for ensuring your combined contributions to that plan and to the UA 403b plan don't exceed $15,000/$20,000.   Be sure to contact Human Resources to report estimated contributions to another retirement plan and we can assist you in making corrections.  

To change the % retirement you want deducted from each check, you would need to complete a new Salary Reduction/Deduction Agreement form.    You can visit our office to complete this form, or print it from our website and fax to 686-5386.    http://www.uams.edu/ohr/Forms/Salary%20Reduction%20Deduction%20Agreement%20(Print).doc

§       The Section 415(c) annual dollar limit on total 403b contributions increases from $42,000 to $44,000 ($49,000 if you are age 50 or older as of 12-31-2006).   This limit applies to all contributions to your 403b retirement plan -- your pre-tax and after-tax contributions and the UA match.    It doesn’t apply to your 457b plan contributions.    You don’t have to monitor this limit.   Our office will do that for you.

§          The Section 401(a)(17) compensation limit increases from $210,000 to  $220,000.   This limit affects UAMS' matching contribution.   Since 10% is the maximum contribution that UAMS can make, the maximum UAMS match for 2006 increases from $21,000 to $22,000.  This limit only impacts employees making more than $220,000 and who personally contribute 10% or more from each paycheck.

§         If you need help calculating the % you should contribute to hit a certain dollar amount by end of 2006, for example to hit your pre-tax limit, please contact Human Resources/Employee Services at 686-5650.     Generally what we will do is ask you to estimate your 2006 earnings.   Then we will divide that by $30,000 (if you’re under age 50) or $40,000 (if you’re age 50+) to arrive at your new percentage.     If you are paid monthly, we will need your new Salary Reduction/Deduction Agreement form by January 18 in order to process it for your January paycheck.  

January 5, 2006

 

Seating Still Available for January Classes

Seating is still available for the Essential Skills of Leadership class and the Essential Skills of Communication class.

 

Essential Skills of Leadership:
January 17, 2006 9am-12pm (registration deadline January 6, 2006)

January 31, 2006 1pm-4pm (registration deadline January 23, 2006)

 

This class is targeted to current supervisors and/or employees who want to improve their personal leadership skills. The class will cover encouraging team member participation, focusing on behavior to improve performance, and maintaining or enhancing the team member’s self-esteem to improve performance. Video tape analysis and case studies will be used for application.

 

Essential Skills of Communication

January 26, 2006 9am-12pm (registration deadline January 18, 2006)

February 14, 2006 1pm-4pm (registration deadline February 6, 2006)

 

This class is for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills. The class will cover creating a climate of open communication, designing clear messages, managing nonverbal behaviors and listening.

 

The cost for both classes is $26.00. This fee covers the cost of the workbook.

 

Please visit our web site www.uams.edu/ohr/trng.asp or contact Melissa Johnston (mhjohnston@uams.edu) for more information.

HR On-Line Recruitment

Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and SAP/HR users:

 

The change from paper application process to On-Line Recruitment has been rumored for months… in fact, years!!   We are pleased to announce that this change will take effect at the end of January 2006  (baring substantial problems).

 

Training for hiring managers – department heads, business officers, supervisors, and whoever else now advertises, interviews, and hires staff – will begin next week and continue throughout January.  [Faculty hiring will remain unchanged].  The first training sessions are scheduled as follows:

 

Wednesday, December 21      10:00 – 12:00 noon     

Pauley Auditorium (G219)  COPH

 

Tuesday, January 10, 2006      9:00 – 11:00 am          

Room 8204                            COPH

 

Thursday, January 12, 2006    2:00 – 4:00 pm           

Room 8204                            COPH

 

[There will be more sessions scheduled for January]

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 12:00 noon         

HR Brown Bag                 

8^th floor, ED II

 

The session will present the following (with handouts):

 

• Demonstration of applicant actions in the On-line Recruiting System

 

• Demonstration of hiring manager actions in SAP to find qualified applicants  (with BPP)

 

• Questions and Answers

 

There is no need to “sign-up” --- just attend and learn!!

Do you have employees who work the night shift?   If so, please spread the news that Human Resources – Employee Services will open early this Friday, December 9.    If they want to turn in benefit forms after their Thursday night shift, please tell them that our office in the Annex Building will be open at 6:30 a.m. that morning.

 

Benefits Mailings 

We will be sending out the following benefit communications through campus mail in the next week.   Thank you in advance for delivering these to your employees as soon as possible.   Much of the information is date sensitive.      

 

1. Creditable Coverage/Medicare Part D letter to all employees age 60 & older who are enrolled in medical.    Advises them not to sign up for Medicare Part D rx coverage at this time (or in the future when they reach age 65), else they will lose their UA medical plan rx coverage.  
    

2. Benefit Statements to all benefits-eligible employees.  Shows current benefit elections as of Oct 15. 
    

3. Medical Open Election notice to all employees enrolled in medical.    Good news -- no rate increase or benefit changes.    But nor are we having an open enrollment.    “Open Election” means current participants can change from Classic to Point of Service or vice versa.   Dec 16 is the deadline.

 

There are other communications going out to home addresses and by email.   These will be posted on our website, www.uams.edu/ohr, after November 15.   

Act 1015 of the 85^th General Assembly mandated that a pay plan study be conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Bureau of Legislative Research.  The study will include job evaluations, performance evaluation systems, salary surveys, classification structure, and the development of a total classification plan which is due to the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee no later than October 1, 2006.

Phase 1 of the project was the Planning stage between the Office of Personnel Management and the Bureau of Legislative Research.  Phase II is the Job Data Collection process that will require your participation.

Your assistance will be required in collecting, reviewing and submitting the job data to OPM in its final form.  OPM has purchased software to assist in this phase of the project.  Currently, job questionnaires will be required on each classified position within your division/department.  

Training Sessions to provide additional information will be conducted in the College of Public Health Auditorium (G225) on the following dates:

        Wednesday, November 2, 1pm- 3pm

        Thursday,  November 3,   9 am to 11 am

 

Please plan to attend one of these sessions.

 

Register now for Supervisor Orientation!

 

Supervisor Orientation is a day and a half training program for new and current supervisors on such topics as Compensation, Recruiting, Worker’s Compensation, FMLA and other leave policies, EAP, Employee Services, Performance Evaluations, Sexual Harassment and Progressive Discipline. These informative sessions are facilitated by subject matter experts and are designed to increase your effectiveness as a supervisor.

 

Date/Time/Location

Tuesday November 8                   8:30-4:00          EDII G 106A

Wednesday November 9              8:30-12:00        EDII B 107

 

Contact Melissa Johnston (mhjohnston@uams.edu, 603-1315) for registration information    

 Please forward this message to appropriate individuals in your department/division.

Registration is still available for Supervisor Orientation!!

 

Supervisor Orientation is an information session for new supervisors or current supervisors wanting a refresher. Topics such as Recruiting and Compensation, Employee Services, Performance Evaluations, EAP, Workers Compensation, Discipline and Sexual Harassment will be covered.

 

Date/Time/Location:

Wednesday September 28          8:30-4:00           CPH G220

Thursday September 29              8:30-11:55         ED II G108 A/B

 

Please contact Melissa Johnston via email or at 603-1315 for registration information. Space is limited!

Register Now for CLIP Training!!!

Registration is still available for the following CLIP training sessions:

 

Tuesday September 20, 2005

9:00am-10:00am, COPH G232

2:00pm-3:00pm, COPH G232

 

Tuesday October 4, 2005

9:00am-10:00pm, COPH G232

 

Tuesday October 25, 2005

2:00pm-3:00pm, COPH G232

 

Wednesday November 2, 2005

9:00am-10:00am, COPH G232

 

Friday November 18, 2005

2:00pm-3:00pm, C)PH G232

 

Register by calling Employee Services at 686-5650 or in SAP in Training and Events (PV00).

HR Newsletter Readers:

 

I’m pleased to announce the promotion of Teletha Leonard to the position of Director of Employee Services, a position formerly occupied by Stephanie Smith. 

 

Our Employee Services section handles most of our incoming calls for HR information (such as verification of employment, benefits questions from employees, or policy questions from managers), oversees Orientation for staff and faculty, coordinates the Employee Service Awards and other recognition events, and is responsible for other items such as random drug testing and tuition discount.

 

Teletha joined UAMS and OHR in August of 2003 after working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and UALR in HR-related areas.  She holds a Masters degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University.  She has worked in our Employee Services section and our Benefits section as a Senior Consultant. You will find her bright, energetic, and eager to provide service to you and your employees.

 

You may find Teletha in our Annex location, at 686-5302, and in the global email.

 

I would hope that you congratulate Teletha and offer some encouragement as she adjusts to her new role and responsibilities.

 

To register for one of the CLIP training sessions listed in my previous email, please call Employee Services at 686-5650!

Please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested in attending the training

Training Schedule

 

Tuesday September 20, 2005

9:00am-10:00am, CPH G232

2:00pm-3:00pm, CPH G232

 

Tuesday October 4, 2005

9:00am-10:00pm, CPH G232

 

Tuesday October 25, 2005

2:00pm-3:00pm, CPH G232

 

Wednesday November 2, 2005

9:00am-10:00am, CPH G232

 

Friday November 18, 2005

2:00pm-3:00pm, CPH G232

Public announcements late yesterday indicated that National Guard and Reserve troops might be called up by the Governor to help with the disaster.  Be aware that our Military Leave policy 4.6.05  (http://uams.edu/AdminGuide/WIN04605.html) specifies normal pay up to 30 days: