We have created this page to help you quickly find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding employment at USF. We hope that you will find it helpful. If you have a specific question that is not addressed, please contact Human Resources directly at (813) 974-2970 and we will be happy to assist you.

1. I'm not sure who I can talk to in HR when I have a specific question. How can I find out who to contact?

2. Can I review my own personnel file?  If so, what is the procedure?

3. How can I find out how many days of vacation (annual) leave I have available?

4. Where can I find a current listing of opportunities at USF? Do I receive any special preference as a USF employee if I'm applying for something else on campus?

5. What process do I follow to be sure that I receive jury duty pay?

6. I've heard something about the "USF sick pool." What is this and how does it work?

7. If I get married or have a baby, how do I add my new spouse or baby to my insurance? I've heard there is a specific period that I need to do this by or they may not be eligible. Is this true?

8. I've heard the term "TSA" but don't know what this means. Can you explain what it means?

9. How much can I put into a retirement account on a pre-tax basis in 2008?

10. What is Self Service and how do I find out more about it?

11. What if my home address or telephone number changes. What should I do?

12. I've been told that USF doesn't print check stubs. Is that correct?

13. I've heard that as a USF Employee there are special discount programs available to me. Where can I get a list of what is available?

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1. I'm not sure who I can talk to in HR when I have a specific question. How can I find out who to contact?

A current directory of the Human Resources staff can be found in alphabetical order or by department. If you are not sure who to talk to, you can always contact the main desk at (813) 974-2970 for assistance.

2. Can I review my own personnel file? If so, what is the procedure?

Any employee can review their personnel file. If you are interested in doing so, please contact HR to set up an appointment with a Human Resources representative. A representative will review your file with you and be available to explain any documents that may be unfamiliar to you.

3. How might I find out how many days of vacation (annual) leave I have available?

Every department has an attendance and leave coordinator who is charged with maintaining a leave record for all faculty and staff employees in their department. This leave record will show all leave balances, including leave accrued and used for each pay period.

4. Where can I find a current listing of opportunities at USF? Do I receive any special preference as a USF employee if I'm applying for something else on campus?

Current listings of job opportunities can be found here. Positions are also posted on the bulletin boards in the SVC breezeway. Listings are updated weekly. Hiring departments can advertise positions as "internal only" which are vacancies designated as "open to current USF employees". Click here to view opportunities open to USF employees.

5. What process do I follow to be sure that I receive jury duty pay?

If you are summoned for jury duty, a copy of the summons is required and should be given to your supervisor. The employee will be granted administrative leave for all hours required, not to exceed the number of hours in the employee's regular workday. If jury duty does not require absence for the entire day, the employee is expected to return to work immediately upon release by the court and bring notice of attendance back to their supervisor for verification.

6. I've heard something about the "USF sick leave pool." What is this and how does it work?

The Sick Leave Pool is a benefit that USF offers to eligible employees. Membership in the "Pool" offers employees the opportunity to remain in full pay status for up to eight (8) weeks in a one-year period when they experience a serious, short-term medical condition due to a personal illness.

To be eligible for membership, an employee must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Be appointed to an established position; 2. Have at least one year of continuous satisfactory USF employment; 3.Have an effective or above performance rating (Staff) and not be appointed with a terminal non-renewal contract (Faculty and Administration); 4. Have a minimum sick leave balance of 72 hours if appointed full-time or a pro-rated number of hours if part time; 5. Apply for membership within the open enrollment period; 6.Contribute the required number of hours to the pool upon enrollment and replenish the pool as needed.

Annually, the Administrator of the Sick Leave Pool conducts an open enrollment. Employees who are eligible to participate will complete the necessary forms and a contribution of 8 hours of sick leave is required upon joining or a pro-rated amount if FTE is less than 1.0. After exhausting all sick, annual, compensatory leave and personal holiday, a maximum of 320 hours may be requested and approved during a 12 month period. Members who are appointed to part-time positions may request and be approved a pro-rated number of hours. More information on the USF Sick Leave Pool can be found on the Attendance and Leave webpage.

7. If I get married or have a baby, how do I add my new spouse or baby to my insurance? I've heard there is a specific period that I need to do this by or they may not be eligible. Is this true?

Both of these events, marriage and the birth of a child, are considered "Qualifying Status Change" (QSC) events that allow employees to make benefit election changes at the time of the event and outside of the Open Enrollment period. Other types of events that would also constitute a QSC include marriage, adoption of a child, divorce, and legal separation. The IRS regulations regarding pre-tax premium plans to not allow for enrollment, additions, changes or cancellations except with the occurrence of a QSC event, followed by written application for a change within the timeframe. The forms required to make any changes or adjustments must be received by PeopleFirst (our third party administrator) within 31 days from the QSC event. If the 31 days expires, employees will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to make any changes to their benefit plans. Forms may be faxed directly to PeopleFirst at (904) 828-6092. For more information, please feel free to contact the PeopleFirst Service Center at 1-866-663-4735, or Human Resources Benefits.

8. I've heard the term "TSA" but don't know what this means. Can you explain what it means?

A "TSA" or Tax Sheltered Annuity allows employees the opportunity to save an amount from each bi-weekly paycheck and postpone payment of taxes on that amount until a later date. The amount of the tax sheltered annuity is deducted directly from your bi-weekly pay check before federal income taxes are assessed on your gross amount. Then the amount deducted is deposited into an investment account. Currently, there are thirteen (13) provider companies to choose from for those who wish to participate in the TSA program. For more information, you may contact one or more of the participating companies directly, or you may contact Human Resources. Here is a list of participating companies. All employees, including temporary (OPS) are eligible to participate in the TSA Program.

9. How much can I put into a retirement account on a pre-tax basis in 2008?

10. What is Self Service and how do I find out more about it?

Self Service enables USF employees to access and change their administrative details via online access to GEMS. For more information, visit the GEMS Self Service webpage or call Human Resources at 974-2970.

11. What if my home address or telephone number changes. What should I do?

The functionality of GEMS Self Service allows you to update your personal information such as home address, telephone number, or W-4 (withholdings) directly online. However, if you do not have regular access to a computer or the Self Service functionality, you may stop by the Human Resources to complete the necessary forms to make the changes (or request the forms via campus mail).

12. I've been told that USF doesn't print check stubs. Is that correct?

We now use the GEMS system to produce our bi-weekly payroll. As a result of this change, you may now view your paycheck from your home or work computer (and print stubs only when YOU decide that you need or want them). This can be done by using the Self Service functionality. If you have specific questions about Self Service (including a request for a demonstration or further instructions), please contact the HR main desk at 974-2970.

13. I've heard that as a USF Employee there are special discount programs available to me. Where can I get a list of what is available?

A complete list of special discount programs available only to USF employees (and in many cases their family members) can be obtained from the Human Resources Office. A listing is also available online.