New on the Human Resources Website

It’s been a busy month for new items on the HR website.

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Regularly visit MSU HR on the web to keep up-to-date with the latest news.

There’s a new university-wide policy on Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct that replaces the policy on Sexual Harassment. Information surrounding Guidelines for Maintaining Critical Functions and Services at MSU is also now available. The electronic I-9 system is fully implemented and a new page with information about the Form I-9 process, compliance training and system access guidelines has been created.

To help new employees understand the benefits available to them, we have created a Benefits Overview toolkit, a quick reference about benefits available to MSU employees. There is also a complete 27-page presentation that provides information previously given at the benefits/retirement orientations.

Step-by-Step Benefits Open Enrollment Instructions

Remember to complete your Benefits Open Enrollment during the month of October.  Benefits-eligible employees will complete open enrollment using Employee Self-Service (ESS) in the Enterprise Business Systems (EBS). Here is the process for completing open enrollment:

  • Visit ebs.msu.edu and select “EBS Login.”
  • Log in using your MSU NetID and password.
  • Select the ESS tab.
  • Select the Benefits link.
  • Select the Add or change MSU Benefits and Retirement Plans link.
  • Select the Open Enrollment link.
  • A disclaimer that explains the CDHP/HSA plans (regardless of CDHP/HSA eligibility) will appear. Please read, and then select OK to continue
  • If you have a spouse or OEI on your benefits, the Health Plan Affidavit will appear. Answer the questions, select Next, then Save.
  • Now you will see the Plan Selections screen. Select the first plan you would like to add, edit or remove, click Edit Plan.
  • Select your desired plan and level of coverage, then click Select Dependents.
  • Select the dependents you would like to cover on the plan. Then click Add Plan to Selection.
    • If you do not see one of your dependents, it is either because they are not eligible for the plan or they need to be added as a dependent in the new system. See our screenshot tutorial for how to add a dependent.
  • Once you have added, edited or removed all of your desired plans, select Review Enrollment.
  • Review your plan selections, then select Save.
  • You now have completed open enrollment!

For more information on Benefits Open Enrollment, please visit our website. You also may get enrollment assistance at our Benefits Site Labs.

Where Can I Find a Breastfeeding-Friendly Room?

For all new or first-time mothers who didn’t know before, there are more than 60 breastfeeding rooms available at MSU!

MSU administration supports breastfeeding and has made rooms readily available during the workday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) throughout campus and at some offsite locations. Click here to see the map of where the rooms are and how you can use one.Breastfeeding Icon

A printable sign is available on the Family Resource Center (FRC) website to post on doors when a room is in use.

The FRC also provides breastfeeding information and classes for new mothers, which are free to faculty, staff and students!

 

Reminder: Update Your Printed Materials with Your New Campus Address!

There have been several changes at MSU over the past year, including the creation of street addresses for buildings across campus. The campus addressing project at MSU was officially completed in 2012. The project converted building addresses to street addresses and addresses were assigned across campus to green-light phones, parking lots, etc.

Forwarding services with the United States Postal Service (USPS)  allow 18 months for address corrections to be finished. That time is soon coming to an end. All materials such as envelopes, business cards, letterhead, etc., should include the new address for your building. To look up the new address for a building, visit http://campusaddresses.msu.edu/.Continue Reading… Reminder: Update Your Printed Materials with Your New Campus Address!

Hiring Resources at HR.MSU.EDU

The Human Resources website is undergoing some changes that we hope will help us better serve you. In the meantime, did you know there are some great hiring resources available on the site?

For support staff hiring, there are tips for writing your posting for advertising, affirmative-action goals and the all-important interview questions. You can find these resources and more at http://www.hr.msu.edu/hiring/staffhiring/. If you’re looking for the Employee Handbook it is at http://www.hr.msu.edu/documents/ss_employee_handbook.  With today’s changing work force, a great option is Flexible Scheduling, but how do you find out if it is right for you or a member of your staff? Visit http://www.hr.msu.edu/flex/ to find out.Continue Reading… Hiring Resources at HR.MSU.EDU

Is Telecommuting an Option for Me?

In the 21st century workplace, certain jobs and tasks can be executed outside of the office; this is known as telecommuting. Telecommuting is a program that allows staff to work from a remote location for a portion of their normally-scheduled work hours.

Telecommuting has potential benefits for the work done within a department: increased performance and productivity, decreased absenteeism and turnover, improved work/life balance and job satisfaction, reduced energy/fuel usage and associated greenhouse gases, and increased office space flexibility.Continue Reading… Is Telecommuting an Option for Me?

How Do I Recognize Email Fraud?

Phishing:  The practice of using fraudulent emails and copies of legitimate websites to extract financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft.

Fraudulent emails are constantly floating around and many can affect those with MSU NetIDs, but they can easily be avoided by knowing what to look for. MSU IT Services has some tips on how to identify a fraudulent email and what to do when you see one.Continue Reading… How Do I Recognize Email Fraud?

Can Twitter be useful to me?

With the number of users increasing every day (over 500 million and counting), it’s obvious Twitter is here to stay, at least for a while. Here are a few reasons why having a Twitter account can benefit you in your work life and your personal life!

1.  Connecting with your Peers

Although they have similarities, Twitter and Facebook are two completely different platforms. Twitter allows you to connect with coworkers on the latest news, whether it’s work-related or not. It’s also a great place to look for a job if you’re still looking. If you are, @msujobs and @HelpingSpartans are two worthwhile MSU accounts to follow.Continue Reading… Can Twitter be useful to me?

“How do I respond to THAT?” Writing effective and efficient emails

Niki Rudolph is the new Director of Student Affairs at the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. In this guest post, she offers some tips on how to avoid unnecessary office quarrels over common email mistakes.

Most likely, an email brought you to this post. You were plugging along, answering emails, filing others, and clicked on this link. As you read this, other emails are pouring in. I feel your pain. I would like to offer a few tips to make the entire process more efficient. In the interest of getting to the point, here are some quick tips to make email a more pleasant experience. That’s right; I said pleasant.Continue Reading… “How do I respond to THAT?” Writing effective and efficient emails

Can my spouse/OEI be covered under MSU’s health plan?

This is a common question we get in Human Resources. Spousal coverage is available for all spouses/Other Eligible Individuals (OEIs) of benefits-eligible employees who enroll in an MSU health plan. This seems simple enough, but the premium threshold for spousal coverage can become confusing!

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Don’t forget your spouse or OEI can be covered along with you on MSU’s health plans!

If your spouse/OEI has health care coverage from their employer that costs $850 or less per year (for a single policy, not two-person or family), they need to enroll in their employer’s health plan. But, they also can have secondary coverage with you through your MSU health plan.Continue Reading… Can my spouse/OEI be covered under MSU’s health plan?