The Benefits Expert Tip

Did you know… you can plan now to prevent the flu or to cut costs if you become ill?

Healthcare professionals predict that the H1N1 virus, commonly known as “Swine Flu”, will resurge this fall. You can reduce – or prevent – the effects of H1N1 and other types of flu, plus save money by taking action before or at the first signs of illness.  Learn more by checking out this month’s “Benefits Expert Tip”!

IRS Advises Employees to Check Withholding
 

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding individual taxpayers to check their 2009 federal income tax withholding levels to ensure there are no surprises when returns are due next April.
 

Because the Making Work Pay credit lowered tax withholding rates this year for many American households, taxpayers should ensure that enough tax is withheld if they are among these groups: individuals with multiple employers; families with both spouses working; workers who can be claimed as dependents by other taxpayers; and pensioners. Not adjusting withholding could result in taxes owed or smaller refunds.

The IRS withholding calculator on IRS.gov can help a taxpayer compute the proper tax withholding. The worksheets in Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Withholding?, can also be used for the calculation. If the result suggests an adjustment is necessary, the taxpayer should submit a new Form W-4, Withholding Allowance Certificate, to his or her employer or adjust the amount of quarterly tax paid.  USF employees who would like to make an adjustment to their withholding may make their changes through GEMS Self-Service (click here for instructions).  Log into GEMS Self Service via the eUSF Portal. 

Visit IRS.gov for more information on how to adjust federal income tax withholding.

Adoption Benefits Program

The 2009 open enrollment period for Florida’s Adoption Benefit is August 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009.  If you adopted a child on or after October 1, 2000, and you are a full-time or part-time USF employee, you are eligible to apply for adoption benefits during the open enrollment period.  Temporary (formerly OPS) employees are not eligible for this benefit.  Employees who applied in previous years and were not awarded a benefit must reapply in order to be considered for the adoption benefit

An eligible adoption is the adoption of a child whose permanent custody has been awarded to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services or to a Florida-licensed child-placing agency, provided that a final order of adoption is awarded on or after October 1, 2000.

Adoption of a Special Needs Child:  A monetary benefit in the amount of $10,000 per child may be available.  Adoption of a Non-Special Needs Child:  A monetary benefit in the amount of $5,000 per child may be available.  The benefit for part-time employees will be pro-rated.  The amount of benefits available to fund this program is contingent upon Legislative Appropriation. 

For more information and to access the adoption benefit application, visit the Department of Children and Families website.  You’ll find additional resources at http://www.adoptflorida.org or call 1-800-96-ADOPT.

Update Your Mailing Address for Benefits Open Enrollment

USF employees with benefits may make changes to their benefit selections for 2010 during this year’s Open Enrollment from September 14 – October 9, 2009.  People First will be sending open enrollment packets to the mailing address of each eligible employee.  To ensure that you receive your open enrollment packet, please review and update your mailing address on file with USF now. Your mailing address may be accessed through GEMS Self Service (click here for instructions).  Log on to GEMS Self Service via the eUSF Portal.  There is also a short on-line training that walks you through how to use GEMS Self Service here.  For questions contact your Benefits Representative in your Service Center.

Online Recruiting Rolls Out with Careers@USF

Careers@USF, USF’s new online, automated recruiting and position description system, rolled out August 3, 2009.  Job applicants can now search all open Faculty, Staff, Administration and Temporary positions and apply on line at https://employment.usf.edu.

In addition, Careers@USF allows applicants to attach resumes and other supporting materials to their online applications, receive automatic notifications, answer questions from hiring managers, and track the status of their job applications, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all online.

Careers@USF eliminates the need for paper forms for employment applications, position descriptions, position actions, classification actions, position vacancy announcements and more.  Hiring managers and departments can now view applications and take action online.  Hiring and DEO reports are automatically generated by the system.  EEO Liaisons can certify an applicant pool in seconds, online.

Training classes are available for anyone involved in the recruitment process for their area.  For additional information, click here, or contact your HR Service Consultant in your Service Center.

Milestone Anniversaries
 

We’re delighted to recognize the length of service of our employees and their ongoing commitment to USF. To help us congratulate the following "Faces of USF" who are celebrating anniversaries this month, click here.

New to USF

Please help us give a warm welcome to our new employees who joined USF during the month of July.

New Faculty RightStart & Benefits Orientation

All new Tampa campus USF faculty members should plan to attend one of the upcoming RightStart/Benefits orientation sessions in early August.  At each session new faculty members will be able to complete the paperwork required to get on the payroll (RightStart@USF) and get information about USF employee benefits, options and how to enroll. New faculty members at USF St. Petersburg, USF Sarasota-Manatee and USF Polytechnic should check with their local HR office for orientation information.

Sessions will be held:

• Tuesday August 4              College of Business Building, BSN 115

  • RightStart 9:30 – 10:00 AM       Benefits 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
     

• Wednesday August 5         College of Business Building, BSN 115

  • RightStart 9:30 – 10:00 AM       Benefits 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
     

• Thursday August 6             College of Business Building, BSN 111

  • RightStart 1:30 – 2:00 PM         Benefits 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
     

• Friday August 7                  College of Business Building, BSN 115

  • RightStart 9:30 – 10:00 AM       Benefits 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon

For more information click here or contact Michel Ferrell, Human Resources at (813) 974-5389 or mdferrel@admin.usf.edu.

HR Offers Extended & Saturday Hours for RightStart

During the month of August, Human Resources is offering extended hours, including Saturday sessions, to allow new employees to go through RightStart@USF to complete all of their new hire paperwork in time for their Fall appointment.

Extended Hours:          8 AM – 7 PM     Monday – Thursday, August 3 – August 27

Saturday Sessions:      11 AM – 3 PM   Saturdays August 8 and 22

During this time, new employees can come to HR, located in SVC 2172, before their hire date.  Employees should bring their offer letter, all of their appropriate documentation proving their eligibility to work, and a voided check for direct deposit sign-up. HR will take care of the rest!  For questions, call Human Resources at (813) 974-2970.

Employee Benefits Fair

The annual USF Employee Benefits Fair & Wellness Expo will be held Tuesday September 22 from 9 AM to 4 PM in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom.  State and other benefits providers will be available to talk individually with employees about their benefits.  This year’s Wellness Expo will feature information and demonstrations to help you stay healthy!  Benefits Open Enrollment runs September 14 – October 9.  For more information, visit the Benefits Fair webpage or contact HR Benefits at (813) 974-2970.

Other USF Benefits Fairs:  USF Polytechnic, Thursday September 17 from 10 AM – 2 PM; USF Sarasota-Manatee, Wednesday September 23 from 9 AM – 4 PM (held at New College); USF St. Petersburg, Thursday September 24 from 9 AM – 3 PM.  Contact the local HR office for details.

Update Your Mailing Address for FRS Pension Plan

The Division of Retirement is preparing the 2009 Annual Statements for FRS Pension Plan participants.  Please review and update your mailing address on file with USF in order to ensure that you receive your statement. Your mailing address may be accessed through GEMS Self Service via the eUSF Portal or by following the instructions here.  There is a short on-line training that walks you through how to use GEMS Self Service here.  For questions contact your Benefits Representative in your Service Center.

Heart Walk November 14, 2009

Sign up now to join “Team USF” to walk and fight the #1 killer in the U.S. – heart disease.  Last year USF had 504 walkers and raised over $36,000.  This year’s American Heart Association Heart Walk will be Saturday November 14th at Raymond James Stadium.  Expected attendance is 20,000 walkers.  Join your department’s team or organize a team of your own.  To learn more and register click here.  The A&P Council is USF’s Company Leader.  For questions contact Christopher Akin, President of the A&P Council, at cakin@admin.usf.edu.