|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
Workshops welcome new UD employees
The arrival of new faculty makes late summer and early fall the busiest time of the year, with an average of about 100 new hires arriving each August. One of the first things new employees at the University of Delaware have to do is choose a benefits package and retirement strategy that best suits their individual needs. To help new hires get off to a running start--including choosing the right health plan, connecting to the UD web and obtaining a parking permit--the Office of Human Resources presents a series of regularly scheduled new employee orientation workshops. The daylong programs afford participants a chance to meet future colleagues and staffers from various campus departments, including Public Safety, Information Technologies and Occupational Health and Safety. “Most new hires are very anxious about their benefits, so we get this information to them first thing in the morning when they are fresh,” Richie Holland, manager of human resources, said. “We provide handouts with information for attendees to review after the orientation program.” The sessions also encourage new employees to visit one or more web sites if they need more information, Holland said. In welcoming new hires, Holland recommended that they become regular readers of UDaily [http://www.udel.edu/udaily/], UD’s online news service, which publishes news stories and features of interest to faculty, staff, parents, alumni, students and the general public. “UDaily’s home page carries important announcements and a calendar of events, with daily updates,” Holland said. “The ‘Need To Know’ space is the place where members of the UD community can go for news about campuswide deadlines, services, policy changes, benefits information and other important notices.” Which benefits to choose? At a recent program after a round-robin introduction among new employees, Holland and human resources staff member Lee Woomer began the morning session by highlighting the many health-care plans (including medical, dental and vision coverage) available under UD’s comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. The presenters also discussed educational benefits, including tuition exchange, course fee waivers and the tuition remission program. More information on UD’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes dental assistance, dependent life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, group life and health care insurance and a prescription drug program, is available at [www.udel.edu/Benefits/index.html]. James Grimes, senior assistant director of public safety, explained the various services provided by the departments of Public Safety [www.udel.edu/PublicSafety/] and Occupational Health and Safety [www.udel.edu/OHS/]. Participants got a chance to chat informally during lunch in the Perkins Student Center, while Louise Clothier, human resources generalist, fielded questions ranging from the location of campus buildings to health and dental care concerns. “The thing that surprises new employees the most is the amount of benefits UD offers and how much the University contributes toward the costs,” Clothier said. “Many of these folks, having worked in the private sector, are really surprised that we offer such a full benefits package.” New employee Brandon Webb, a Cooperative Extension associate I, said he was especially interested in the health and educational benefits. “We were given a lot of information this morning, and it really helps us to know about the different health-care options that we have,” Webb said. “I also like the tuition remission benefit, because it will allow me to take graduate courses in the environmental sciences.” Ben Woodard, a CITA I in Student Health Services who graduated from UD last year with a degree in computer sciences, previously worked in the Technological Solutions Center in Smith Hall. “I knew some things about UD from being a student worker,” Woodward said. “It was interesting to learn more about departments like Public Safety and Occupational Health and Safety.” Things to do--places to see During the afternoon session, new hires learned from human resources staff member Cindy Delaney, about the many recreational facilities at UD, including the Employee Wellness Center, the Outdoor Pool (the biggest in the state) and how to get tickets to the many sporting and entertainment events held in places like the Bob Carpenter Center, Delaware Stadium and the Rust Ice Arena.
New hires also were encouraged to visit UD’s College of Marine Studies at the Sharp Campus in Lewes, where recreational opportunities range from Coast Day (this year on Sunday, Oct. 2), to campus tours and weekend getaways at the residential Virden Center. Participants also learned about other benefits, including paid holidays, vacation and sick-time policies, as well as mortgage and home purchase assistance programs. Karen Kral, of Information Technologies-User Services, advised newcomers of services such as e-mail and Internet access. Kral recommended that new employees visit [www.udel.edu/help/] for information on purchasing a computer, connecting to the UD network and following UD’s Code of the Web guidelines for responsible computing. Denise Lindsey, an administrative assistant in human resources, reviewed the use of UD web forms and how to access personal web-based information, such as pay stub views, contract dates and employee demographic data. Judith Gibson, assistant vice president for affirmative action and multicultural programs, reviewed the sexual harassment policy at UD. “The University is committed to protecting all members of the UD community from unwelcome sexual advances,” Gibson said. Chris Towers, a human resources generalist, concluded the afternoon orientation with a review of the various retirement plans at UD and how to get counseling before making a final decision. “Many people have not been in a benefits program before, and we know all these choices can be intimidating,” Towers said. “What you get at your retirement depends on how well you invest. Counselors are available, and you can call for a one-on-one appointment.” Holland said that human resources staffers enjoy the enthusiasm the new employees bring to the orientations and are glad to help them sort through the many choices and adjustments they have to make as the newest members of the UD community. “We have a new group of employees each time we do this, which keeps the program fresh,” Holland said. “We also enjoy watching new hires from departments all across campus meet each other for the first time and establish networks very early on in their UD careers.” To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
|
|
