A biweekly publication for faculty and staff

Health Care FSA Reminder; Date Set for January Orientation

December 14, 2015

Flexible Spending Account Reminder

Employees enrolled in UC’s health care flexible spending account (FSA) who still have money in their accounts should review them before the end of the year. The health FSA includes a feature that allows employees to carry over up to $500 of unused funds to the next plan year. Employees have until Dec. 31 to incur eligible expenses for the 2015 plan year. The plan’s deadline to file claims for expenses incurred during the 2015 plan year is April 15, 2016. After that deadline, unused funds up to $500 will “carry over” to the 2016 plan year and be available for reimbursement in early May. Unused funds over $500 will be forfeited. Log in at mybenefits.conexis.com to review your account.

New Employee Orientation Scheduled for Jan. 8

The first new employee orientation of 2016 will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Chancellor’s Conference Room (KL 232). Advance registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome.

To Register:

1. Log in to the UC Learning Center.

2. Search for “NEO” or find it in the catalog under “New Employee Orientation.”

UC Offers Ongoing Counseling Support and Resources

The University of California's behavioral health provider, Optum, has opened a free, 24-hour public crisis support line to assist those suffering from the traumatic shooting events in San Bernardino. In addition, Optum offers abundant crisis support-related resources online at liveandworkwell.com.

Ongoing counseling support is offered through Optum and is available to staff and faculty members who are enrolled in UC medical plans. If you are experiencing trouble accessing providers with trauma experience within the Optum network, please contact Human Resources Generalist Leticia Aldama for assistance.

Counseling resources remain available to all staff and faculty members regardless of enrollment in UC medical plans, through the INSIGHT Employee Assistance Program.

Brown Bag Lunch with HR’s AVC Powell on Jan. 16

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Brian Powell hosts his next brown-bag lunch with employees from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Granite conference room at the Mondo Building in downtown Merced.

The informal, one-hour session is similar in format to Chancellor Dorothy Leland’s monthly brown-bag lunch. Powell will field questions and concerns related to his department.

The monthly lunches are a good way for Human Resources to talk with employees about their professional development, enthusiasms and concerns. The lunch meetings also provide a conduit for staff members to funnel feedback to campus administrators. For more information, email Human Resources or call 209-228-8247.