HR News – December 4, 2009

2009 Christmas/New Year Holiday Schedule

The holiday schedule for Christmas through New Year’s is:

Holiday Stress

The holidays can be a very difficult time for many individuals and families.   The University provides the services of CONCERN, an Employee Assistance Program that offers free confidential counseling and information services to you and your family members.  CONCERN provides assistance in many areas, including: grief, financial pressures, depression and anxiety, family/parenting issues, stress management, alcohol & drug problems, eating disorders, marital and relationship issues and self-esteem.

If you or an immediate family member is having difficulties, consider contacting CONCERN.  Confidential telephone consultations are available by calling 1-800-242-7371.

TIAA-CREF

Earlier this year new federal regulations went into effect that govern all 403b pension plans — the type of plan offered at Drew.  HR worked with TIAA-CREF and outside counsel to ensure that our plan and the documents that govern it are in full compliance with the new regulations.  We have updated our Summary Plan Description (SPD) as required under the law; a copy is available on our Intranet website and by clicking here: TIAA-CREF Summary Plan Description.

If you have any questions about your pension plan, please note that our TIAA-CREF representative will be on campus on December 15th.  You can also call TIAA-CREF at

1-800-842-2776 for additional information.

Know Anyone Difficult to Work With?

Last month members of the US/A were invited to attend a program on “Dealing With Difficult People and Uncomfortable Conflict” that was facilitated by a member of the CONCERN staff.   Participants found the program helpful and suggested that other members of the community might be interested in having the information.  If you are interested in seeing the slide presentation, click on Human Resources Intranet and scroll down to “training”.

Important Reminders

Over 100 faculty and staff will lose their medical coverage as of January 1, 2010 because they have not provided a Social Security Number for every member of their family.  Everyone is encouraged to review your information under “My Family” in CampusWeb to make sure that everyone covered under your medical plan is accounted for.  No one whose coverage is stopped will be able to re-enroll for one full year.  See April 16 issue of HR News for additional information.

Monthly Paid Staff Vacation Accruals.  All accrued hours over 175 will be lost on December 31, 2009 and all vacation hours in excess of 140 will be lost as of June 30, 2010.  All staff are again strongly encouraged to use their vacation time – you work much too hard to lose such a valuable benefit!

Floating Holidays.  Don’t forget to use Float Holidays before the end of December!  Unused Floating Holiday hours do not carry over to 2010 –all unused floating hours will be lost.

Is your child graduating from College this month?

Did you know that your child is only covered as a dependent under our medical plan as long as they are under age 23 and a full-time student?  Medical coverage stops the end of the month they graduate from college and are not enrolled for full-time studies in the fall.  If your child is currently covered under our medical plan, you can continue their coverage for up to 18 months under COBRA.  For information on COBRA rates please call Fredie Cox at x3795.  Alternatively, you can enroll your child in a plan offered through other insurance carriers in NJ.  For more information, click on http://www.healthinsurance.org/new_jersey or http://covertheuninsured.org/stateguides/English/NJ.pdf .

Calendar of Events

TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions (by appointment only)

Tuesday, December 15          9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.          University Commons, Room 207