Upcoming training workshops, DOMA and other Human Resources News

September-October Training Schedule

The following training opportunities are available in the coming months:

• Sept. 10 – Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Law for Supervisors
• Sept. 18 – Conducting Performance Appraisals
• Sept. 25 – Situational Leadership: A Model for Developing People
• Oct.   1 – Communication and Influence
• Oct.   9 – Recruiting and Hiring

To register:

• Log in to the UC Learning Center using your UC Merced Net ID.
• Search for training by name in the search bar on the left of your screen.
• Select the course you are interested in, click “register” to see offerings, schedule and location details.
• Check the box next to the class that fits your needs and click “submit” to register.

For more information, contact hrtraining@ucmerced.edu or call ext. 8247.

UC Reviewing Recent Supreme Court Rulings' Impacts on the University, Employees

The University of California has been reviewing the legal, policy and operational implications of the Supreme Court rulings on California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) for the university and its employees and staff.

As a result of the rulings, employees in same-gender marriages are no longer subject to taxes on the "imputed income" for UC's contribution to the cost of health insurance coverage provided for a same-gender spouse enrolled in UC-sponsored benefits.

"We know employees and retirees are eager to see these changes go into effect, and we are working as quickly as possible to make them," said Dwaine Duckett, vice president of human resources. "Unfortunately, implementation is more complicated than it may seem, and it will take more time than we would like."

The immediate priorities for UC are:

• Making programming changes to payroll and HR systems necessary to implement the tax changes 
• Encouraging faculty and staff who were married before the rulings to self-identify as soon as possible to ensure they benefit from the changes
• Getting guidance from federal agencies on the effective date of the change
• Assisting employees when that guidance becomes clear

Read the full story on the At Your Service website.

Fidelity Investments Coming to Campus Sept. 6 and 20

Geoff Nelson, a certified financial planner and UC Merced’s retirement planning and guidance consultant, will be on campus Sept. 6 to meet individually with faculty and staff members interested in reviewing their plans regarding retirement savings or other financial goals. Sessions last up to 45 minutes and are by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment online:

• Go to getguidance.fidelity.com/universityofcalifornia
• Click the button for "one-on-one consultations”
• Select the "University of California" link and choose your location from the drop-down list

To schedule your appointment by phone, call 800-558-9182. Spots to speak with a consultant fill up fast so don't delay; sign up today. 

On Sept. 20, Fidelity Investments offers general education sessions in KL362. The topics and times are:

• Preparing Your Savings for Retirement, 11 a.m. to noon
• Creating Your Personal Retirement Roadmap 12–1 p.m.
• Getting on the Right Path with Your Workplace Savings, 1-2 p.m.

Call 800-642-7131 to RSVP for the Sept. 20 sessions.

New Employee Orientation, Online Resources

The next new employee orientation is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 6 in KL 232. For more information, visit the new employee orientation page.

The first few weeks in a new job can be challenging. To ease the stress of settling in, Human Resources has compiled a list of resources to assist new employees in acclimating to the university. Whether you are new to UC Merced or in a position of supervising others, you will find value in this resource.

Contact HR

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