View this email in your browser or forward newsletter

May 2022

Compensation Virtual Office Hour: Today, May 18

Need help writing a Position Description?

HR Compensation will hold virtual drop-in office hours in May. Compensation Analysts will be available to guide you through how best to describe your position using the Position Description form and can walk you through any questions you may have about the process of having a position reviewed.

Session Date: Wednesday, May 18 from 3-4 p.m.

Join us on Zoom at any time during a scheduled session:

Zoom Link: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/91513450169.

Please note: only University of Tennessee authenticated users will be able to join. To learn more about how to use single-sign-on (SSO) prior to joining the Zoom click here.

UConnecT: Apply Before June 6

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to check-in and ask yourself how you’re feeling and how things are going.

According to the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee (MHAET), more than 200,000 Knox Countians have experienced mental illness symptoms this year.

EAP services through our vendor, Optum, are available to all benefits-eligible employees and their eligible family members, even if they are not enrolled in medical insurance.

Check out the May EAP Newsletter for tips to help manage stress and support your mental health wellbeing.

Visit Here4TN.com or call 855-Here4TN (855-437-3486) anytime to learn more about the full range of benefits and services available to you and your family.

Mental Health America (MHA) offers simple, free, and anonymous online mental health screenings for individuals and families. The screening tools can help identify symptoms that may indicate following up with a professional is recommended.

Mobile Mammography on Campus: July 12

Retiring Soon? Sick Leave Donations Explained

Planning to retire in the coming months? Congratulations!

Are you interested in donating sick leave to employees in need before retirement?

Employees do not need to be a Sick Leave Bank (SLB) member to donate sick leave to other employees, but must be active in IRIS for donations to be processed. Employees interested in donation are encouraged to contact the Sick Leave Bank as far as possible in advance of their retirement date to maximize the window of opportunity to donate.

Per HR0383 Sick Leave Transfer Between University Employees, prospective donors must have a minimum balance of 160 hours of sick leave and agree to donate a minimum of 40 hours of sick leave. The maximum amount of sick leave an employee may donate during their employment is a total of 720 hours. Employees may not donate more than one-half of their leave balance.

Prospective recipients must be a current SLB member who has recently requested and been approved for time by Bank trustees to become eligible to receive donations of time. Donations of time cannot be made directly to a Bank. However, we are always glad to assist in facilitating anonymous donations of time to eligible employees in need.

To become a donor, first consult with Retirement Services at 974-5251 to ask if donation of leave may affect your creditable service.

If you decide you would like to become a donor, contact the Sick Leave Bank via email or call 974-8299 to learn more about next steps.

Survivor Benefits: Update Your Beneficiaries Today

Survivor benefits are a great way to plan for the future and care for your loved ones when you can’t be there. Life changes including marriage, divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child are all great reasons to regularly review and update your beneficiary information.

University of Tennessee System Policy HR0307 describes the benefit payment provided in the event a regular university employee dies while in active pay status. The University will use the most recent information on file when processing benefits.

Please complete or review your HR0307 beneficiary form to ensure your designations and their contact information are current.

Update your beneficiary form using IRIS Web ESS (Employee Self Service) eForm (located in Personal Information). Employees may also use the same form to indicate they do not wish to designate a beneficiary for this benefit.

Note: The designation of beneficiary eForm specific to Policy HR0307 is not connected to life insurance or retirement beneficiaries. Contact Payroll/Insurance & Retirement Services at 974-5251 or visit their website below to learn more about updating other benefit beneficiaries.

ERC Elections

Employee Relations Committee (ERC) representatives play a major role in advising and influencing those in management about University policies, as well as discussing employee needs and concerns with the University Administration.

We have two ERC groups representing regular, non-exempt staff at UTK: Knoxville Operations and Knoxville Administration.

Online elections will be held next month in preparation for the start of a new two-year term for elected representatives and alternates next academic year.

Look for more information soon!

Sick Leave Bank Enrollment Ends June 30

We are accepting applications for new enrollees in the Knoxville-Area and Institute of Agriculture Sick Leave Banks (SLB).

To be eligible, you must be employed as a regular employee, accruing sick leave, with a sick leave balance of at least 48 hours or 6 days (pro-rated for regular, part-time employees) by Thursday, June 30.

Applicants will be notified in July if they were successfully enrolled into their area’s Bank.

Staff Spotlight: Allie McCosh

Allie is a recent addition to our HR Dept as of this month. She was born and raised in Cleveland , TN. Allie received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in sociology from UTK in 2019. Go Vols!

Post-graduation, Allie dedicated her time to advocating for the youth of her hometown and surrounding areas. She served as a board member of the foster care review council as well as having the pleasure of mentoring under the Honorable Magistrate Judge of Bradley County, TN.

Allie is excited to be the first representation of the department with her smiling face and to begin her new role here in Big Orange country.

Hobbies: Watching ID Channel, shopping at TJ Maxx, and spending time with her puppy Titan

Family: Boyfriend Colby, Puppy Titan, & Beta fish Bruce

Our campus partners include: BeWell and the Office of Ombuds Services

Have an article or topic you’d like us to highlight in a future issue?