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What's New in HR Archives
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What's
New in HR
July 1, 2007
Budget Reduction for Personnel Actions
Guidelines
Effective
Immediately
Statement of Purpose
In order to meet
budgetary cutbacks required by statewide revenue shortfalls, effective
immediately (July 13, 2007) the University will begin implementation of
a university-wide budget reduction plan. As a result, all personnel
actions that have a cost associated with their implementation will be
suspended, delayed, or frozen until further notice.
Guidelines
Specifically, this
initiative will apply to personnel in ALL pay plans (faculty,
staff, administration, and non-student OPS) with the exception of the
following:
●
those who are
funded 100% from contracts or grants (C&G);
●
student OPS;
●
FWSP appointments.
Personnel actions that
are suspended, delayed, or frozen include:
-
Posting and advertising of vacant positions (including OPS);
-
Appointments of new or current employees to vacant positions
(including OPS)
-
Increases in FTE to existing employees;
-
Changing appointments of temporary (OPS) employees to regular;
-
Extensions of temporary appointments, including emergency visiting,
acting, and OPS;
-
Pay
for performance, bonus and/or meritorious service salary increases;
-
Classification actions that do not result directly from workforce
reductions or consolidation of areas, responsibilities and/or
duties.
Any exceptions must
be submitted in writing to the appropriate VP/CEO who will submit a
request for final approval to the President. Only those that have
received official approval will be processed.
Any requests for
exception must include the following:
-
Specific reason for the exception, including the direct impact on
core and essential business operations;
-
Show how suspending, delaying, or freezing requested action would
negatively impact on essential or critical business operations;
-
Show that other methodologies and/or options have been explored and
exhausted.
All other salary
actions (promotions, additional/higher level duties, special pay
increases, including stipends) for all personnel including C&G
employees, must be approved by the respective Vice President.
All personnel actions
currently in process (defined as any personnel action currently in the
Human Resources Office that is date stamped as received on or before
July 12, 2007) will be handled as follows:
1.
All
employment offers will be honored;
2.
All
positions currently in the recruitment process (posting, advertising,
interviewing) will require VP review and signature prior
to submittal to HR for processing.
3.
All
approved salary actions will be implemented as submitted.
This process will be in
place until further notice.
Issued
by the Division of Human Resources
July 12, 2007
Budget Reduction
Personnel Action Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
July 13, 2007
When will the hiring
freeze be effective?
The Budget Reduction
guidelines indicate that a hiring freeze is effective immediately.
Does that include
searches that are currently underway?
All current vacancies
are affected. All searches which have not yet resulted in an accepted
offer will require VP approval to continue the search and process. If
an offer has been extended, that commitment should be honored.
What positions are
affected?
All faculty, staff,
administration, and non-student OPS positions are affected. Positions
funded completely or partially from auxiliary funds are also affected by
the freeze, and will require an exemption in order to recruit.
Does this apply to
grants?
The hiring freeze does
not apply to positions that are 100% funded by grants or contracts. If,
however, a portion of the position is funded by other funds (E&G,
auxiliary, RO), it MUST be approved through the exception process.
Will any exceptions to
the suspension, delay, or freeze on personnel actions be considered?
Yes. Requests for
exceptions should be submitted to the area Vice President with budgetary
responsibility for the personnel action. Upon VP review and approval,
requested actions will be forwarded to the President for final
determination.
How will I know if my
exception has been approved?
Your area VP or
regional CEO will notify you of the disposition of your request.
What types of requests
might warrant consideration for exception?
Positions that would be
deemed mission critical to our overall operations will be considered.
How long will this
budget reduction plan be in effect?
The plan will be in
effect indefinitely and until further notice.
Will there be any
layoffs as part of the plan?
There are no layoffs
planned at this time. Current programs and services will continue to be
closely evaluated in the weeks to come.
Who do I contact if I
have questions?
Contact your VP or the
Division of Human Resources.
People First Benefits Screens Unavailable for
Viewing July 27 – 31
The People First system
is being upgraded and will be offline from Friday July 27, 2007 through
Tuesday, July 31, 2007. During that time neither employees nor USF HR
Benefits representatives will be able to view benefits screens. People
First customer service will be available during those dates by phone at
866-ONE-HRFL (866-663-4735) for emergency reinstatements only. People
First benefit screens will be back online starting Wednesday, August 1,
2007, at 8 AM. If you need assistance, contact HR Benefits at 974-2970
or email
lleonard@admin.usf.edu or
tdsingletary@admin.usf.edu.
New Assistant
Director of HR/Organization Development and Training
Tim Miller
has been appointed HR Assistant Director, Organization Development &
Training (ODT). He joins the Human Resources Division leadership
team.
Tim brings more
than 25 years of training and development experience to USF. His
expertise includes improving performance and effectiveness,
strategic planning, operational improvement, succession planning and
staff training. Tim has a Masters of Divinity and B.A. in
Philosophy from Athenaeum of Ohio and Northwestern University. Tim
may be reached at (813) 974-5294.
“We are delighted
to welcome someone of Tim’s background and experience as we continue
to strengthen HR’s ability to deliver outstanding service to the USF
community,” said Sandy Lovins, Associate VP, Division of Human
Resources. “A large public research and doctoral university like
USF is really a number of smaller organizations linked together, and
part of ODT’s mission is to help these organizations work together
to support USF’s strategic vision and goals.”
ODT consultants focus on the human
systems that are necessary to achieve organizational goals. These
include people, relationships, policies, procedures, processes,
culture, and organizational structure. ODT offers an expansive
suite of services including training and facilitation in team
effectiveness, leadership development, meeting and retreat
facilitation, strategic planning, goal setting, process analysis and
redesign, personal and professional development, customer service,
communication skills, diversity, new employee orientation, USF
systems, policies and procedures. For more information, visit the
ODT website.
Update Your Mailing Address for
Benefits Open Enrollment
USF employees with benefits may
make changes to their benefits for 2008 during this year’s Open
Enrollment period from September 17 through October 19, 2007.
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 by Friday August 10, 2007. Your mailing
address maybe accessed through GEMS Self Service (click
here
for instructions). For questions, contact Human Resources at
974-2970.
Personal Financial Planning
Florida Retirement
System will be offering two free workshops to all USF employees on
Thursday July 19, 2007 in SVC 2070 (ODT Training Room):
-
“Using the FRS
to Plan for Your Retirement” from 10:30 – 12:00 PM. This workshop will help you
plan so you don’t have to work forever and show you where to go
for free advice in making your dreams a reality.
-
“Cash & Debt
Management: Smart Spending”
from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. This workshop will assist you in creating
a spending plan that will help you reach retirement. You’ll
learn tips for reducing expenses, managing debt and
understanding your credit score, and how to take advantage of
additional, free independent resources provided by the FRS.
Register through
GEMS Self Service or contact Sonya Techton, Retirement Coordinator,
HR Services, at 813-974-5178 or
stechton@admin.usf.edu.
Summer ’07 Workshops
Summertime is a
great time for professional and personal development. Upgrade your
skills in GEMS and FAST. Brush up on customer service, master USF
procedures, learn how to “do less and accomplish more.” From
leadership workshops to brown bag lunches, from career development
to delivering effective presentations, Organization Development &
Training (ODT) has lots to offer. For a complete listing of
upcoming workshops, visit the
ODT website or check out
ODT’s summer
newsletter.
Employee Discounts
Your USF Employee
ID card is your ticket to summer fun and great discounts year
‘round. When you’re planning your summer vacation, don’t forget to
click on HR’s
Employee Perks page, where you’ll find various discounts
including
Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, Avis car rentals and
Holiday Inn Express. And be sure to visit
Bulls Country for USF employee discounts from our local
Bulls Country community partners, including restaurants, shops,
movies and local attractions.
Advocacy Program Joins Student Affairs
As of July 1, 2007,
the USF Advocacy Program has moved from the Division of Human
Resources to Student Affairs.
Why the change?
“The Advocacy
Program provides essential support services to students, staff, and
faculty in the USF Community who have been victimized. Of their
client base, approximately 80% of the population that they serve on
an annual basis is students,” said Sandy Lovins, Associate Vice
President, Division of Human Resources. “The Advocacy Program has
developed strong working relationships with key departments within
Student Affairs that serve similar client populations, including
Student Health Services, Judicial Services, Residential Life, the
Counseling Center, Campus Police and the Employee Assistance
Program. They work very closely with each other, so bringing them
closer together from an organizational perspective just made sense.”
Dr. Jennifer
Meningall, Vice President for Student Affairs agreed, saying “I see
it as a win/win situation to have the Advocacy Program even more
integrated and aligned with our organization’s vision, goals, and
objectives. I am excited about the partnership that we already have
with the Advocates, and am confident that this new organizational
structure will enable the Program to develop and flourish even more,
benefiting our entire USF community.”
The Advocacy
Program is a resource available to any USF student or employee who
is a victim/survivor of actual or threatened abuse or violence. The
Program focuses on the needs of the client and each person receives
specialized services tailored to meet their particular needs.
The Program is
staffed by professionally certified victim services practitioners
who provide free and confidential services to members of the USF
community. Advocates, at the client’s request, also assist
secondary victims (family members, friends, and affected others).
The direct
collaboration with the Student Affairs organization will allow the
Program to fully take advantage of the resources available within
the University system to help strengthen their services. “Virtually
every victim of violence or abuse will experience predictable
emotions and behaviors in the aftermath and recovery period”, said
Cheryl Fitzpatrick, Interim Program Coordinator. “Our primary goal
is to work with the victim and any and all resources available to
achieve full recovery from the hurtful experience. This new
organizational structure will allow us to maximize the partnerships
that we have already developed with our Student Affairs colleagues
over the years and strengthen the Program’s overall mission.”
The Advocacy
Program is located in the Student Services Building, SVC 1138. For
more information about the Advocacy Program, visit their
website or contact Cheryl Fitzpatrick at 974-5758 or
cfitzpatrick@admin.usf.edu.
There is also a 24-hour Victim Helpline at (813) 974-5757.
USF Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment
Mark your
calendars! The USF Benefits Fair will be held Tuesday September 18th
at the Alumni Center, with a day of educational sessions on Monday
September 17th. Open enrollment begins September 17,
2007. Watch this space for updates.
New Faculty RightStart & Benefits
Orientation
All new 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, how to enroll and, if they wish, to enroll for
benefits on the spot.
Sessions will be
held:
·
Wednesday August 1
8:30 AM – 12:00 noon. College of Business Administration, BSN 225
·
Monday
August 6 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon. College of Business
Administration, BSN 225
·
Wednesday
August 8 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon. USF Athletics – IAF Big East Room
·
Friday
August 10 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon. USF Athletics – IAF Big
East Room
RightStart
orientation will begin at 8:30 AM. Benefits orientation at 10 AM.
For more information click
here
or contact Lionel Leonard, HR
Benefits Representative at 974-2970 or
lleonard@admin.usf.edu.
USF at Tampa Bay Job Fairs
As a Tampa Bay area employer of
choice, USF HR will represent our University and be recruiting at a
number of local job fairs this year. Job fairs present the
opportunity to share with prospective employees and the community
the many advantages of employment at USF, including a large variety
of jobs in a stimulating academic environment, the opportunity to
join a talented workforce, and a first class benefits package. To
view the job fairs planned for 2007 click
here or contact Chuck Welsh, HR Representative, at
974-0593 or
cwelsh@admin.usf.edu.
Human Resources Announces Changes to HR
Management Team
Michael Stephens
has been named Acting Director of Human Resources and Julieth
Chambers has been named Acting Associate Director of Human
Resources, effectively immediately. Tim Miller will be joining the
Human Resources Division as Assistant Director of HR/Organization
Development & Training on July 16, 2007.
“Human Resources
has been focusing on strengthening our core business, building
effective procedures and processes, and establishing and nurturing
solid relationships with members of the USF community,” said Sandy
Lovins, Associate Vice President of the Division of Human
Resources. “I’m very proud of all of the hard work and the results
that have been accomplished since we began our reorganization
efforts last Fall and I believe these new appointments will help
ensure we have the right structure in place to allow us strengthen
our organization and operation even more.”
Michael Stephens joined the
University in November of 2006 as the Assistant Director of Employee
& Labor Relations. He brings to the University substantial
experience in strategic management, labor relations and regulatory
compliance. Prior to joining USF, he served as an Associate General
Counsel for the Department of the Army where he specialized in
Contract, Labor and Employment law. Michael received his Masters in
International Affairs and a Juris Doctor from The American
University, Washington College of Law. In this new role, Michael
will provide overall leadership and direction to the HR Department.
Since joining USF, Michael has made significant contributions to the
HR operation and has built solid and effective teams and
relationships, both within HR and the University community.
Michael may be
reached at 974-5701 or
mstephens@admin.usf.edu.
Julieth Chambers joined the University in March of 2006 as the
Benefits Manager. In September of 2006, she was promoted to
Assistant Director of the Employment Center. Julieth has her
Masters of Science Degree in HR Management and brings more than 15
years of HR experience from the financial services industry to the
University. In her short time at USF she has made a tremendous
difference in process improvements, raising the service bar for HR
and building and forging strategic relationships throughout the USF
community. In her new role, she will be responsible for providing
overall leadership as well as directly overseeing the Employment
Center operation, Classification & Compensation, and Benefits.
Julieth may be reached at 974-5706 or
jchambers@admin.usf.edu.
Tim Miller
will be
joining the HR management team as well as providing daily and
strategic leadership for the ODT team. Tim brings more than 25
years of training and development experience to USF. His expertise
includes improving performance and effectiveness, strategic
planning, operational improvement, succession planning, and staff
training. Tim has a Masters of Divinity and B.A, in Philosophy from
Athenaeum of Ohio, Northwestern University.
Updated
07/17/2008
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