Spring 2016 – For Your Benefit
Our goal in human resources is to make UT the best workplace it can be, and the purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed about things that matter most.
New information is included about proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act that, if implemented, have the potential to impact UT and employers across the country. Also included is information about hiring processes, performance reviews and employee discounts—all topics you’ve requested through feedback surveys on this newsletter.
I hope you find the information helpful and your time reading well-spent. I also encourage you to help us make the newsletter as effective as possible by sending comments and suggestions to systemhr@tennessee.edu.
Thank you for your commitment to the University.
Linda Hendricks Harig
UT System Vice President for Human Resources
Spring 2016 Issue
What You Should Know About Proposed Changes to Federal Overtime Regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor proposed in June 2015 that overtime pay be required for all employees paid less than $50,440 a year.
The impact proposed changes could have on UT employees remains unclear, but UT is committed to sharing details as we have them, and we’ll answer questions and offer training if and when changes are approved.
Take the RetireReady TN Challenge: Increase Your Contribution by $25 Today
The Tennessee Treasury Department and RetireReady TN, the state’s retirement program, encourage all employees to take one small step toward better retirement prep by contributing just $25 more a month to deferred compensation plans (401k and/or 457).
Studies show that most Americans are not saving enough for retirement, and UT wants to help you get and stay on track.
Meet the Inaugural President’s Award Winners
From Mars to Martin, the inaugural winners of the UT President’s Awards impact their students, communities and beyond.
In 2015, President Joe DiPietro established a program to recognize faculty and staff whose exceptional contributions fulfilled one of the University’s three mission focus areas: education, research and outreach. The awards were presented to two faculty members at UT Martin and one from UT Knoxville, at the State of the University address in February 2016.
New Anonymous Hotline for Reporting Fraud, Waste, Abuse or Non-Compliance
All UT faculty, staff and students are encouraged to help promote a responsible and ethical workplace by reporting known or suspected misconduct committed by employees, outside contractors or vendors.
Reports to the hotline can be made by phone or online submission and are investigated immediately.
A How-to Guide for Job Seekers and Decision Makers
Think back to the last time you were involved in a job search. Regardless of where you were seated at the table, the process probably was overwhelming at some point.
We interviewed seven of UT’s statewide recruitment specialists to offer guidance for both job seekers and decision makers looking to find the right fit.
Calling all Healthy Living Enthusiasts!
More than 330 UT faculty and staff have joined the Work Healthy UT blog—authored entirely by your UT colleagues—since it launched in April 2015.
The Work Healthy UT blog is an online community for connecting to others with similar interests, sharing success stories, recommending tips and offering support. All posts are written by faculty and staff who have either expertise in or passion for a lifestyle topic—or both. Researchers, teachers, parents, caregivers, survivors—everyone has something to share.
What I Learned from My Grandmother’s Battle with Cancer
Even throughout my grandmother’s treatments, the doctors were surprised at how quickly she would bounce back each time. She fought through the ups and downs of breast cancer for almost six years. She was the strongest and most resilient woman I’ve known and made a huge impact on my life and the lives of many others in her 81 years.
Renata Gillispie is a coordinator in the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the UT Health Science Center. She enjoys attending church, family, traveling, reading and writing. She earned both a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing and a master’s degree in leadership from the University of Memphis.
In-Network Doctors and Hospitals Available Outside Tennessee
Planning for the unexpected can be hard, but the health insurance networks available to UT employees enrolled in the state of Tennessee’s ParTNers for Health program make it easy to find in-network options regardless of the situation.
Whether your child breaks an arm while on vacation or you’re facing a cancer diagnosis and want a second opinion from one of the country’s leading cancer institutes, know that exceptional care doesn’t have to come at an unaffordable price.
Start Thinking Now About Next Year’s Performance Review
The deadline to complete reviews for staff performance during calendar year 2015 ended March 31, but it’s never too early to start planning for next year.
