News to Use – February 2024
News to Use – February 2024
News to Use is a monthly summary of HR information for all employees of McMaster University.
Top 3 Stories
Don’t miss the Working Mind Training for People Leaders
Gain skills and practical knowledge to support your teams, in this evidence based two-day program on mental health and reducing the stigma around mental illness in the workplace.
Register here for sessions in March and April 2024!
Important 2023 Tax Information
T4 and/or T4A slips are now available in Mosaic under Employee Self Service. Tax slips are provided to employees electronically only as the standard delivery method in accordance with the Income Tax Act. It is a fast, secure, and convenient way for employees to review, print, or download their tax slip(s).
A User Guide is available for more information on how to access and print your T4 and/or T4A slip(s).
As shared previously, there are new T4/T4A boxes you’ll notice on your 2023 tax slips: New Canada Dental Care Plan and the second Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contribution. Read more about these updates on the HR website.
New: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has recently published revised guidance on the process for claiming home office expenses for the 2023 taxation year. The CRA has confirmed that the two temporary methods for claiming deductions for home office expenses – form T2200S, “Declaration of Conditions of Employment for Working at Home Due to COVID-19,” and the “temporary flat rate method” – that were available for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax years do not apply for 2023. Therefore, those looking to claim applicable home office expenses for 2023 will be required to download and use the updated T2200 Form, Declaration of Conditions of Employment. For more information, please visit the CRA website.
Human Resources Services and the Financial Affairs Office are currently reviewing the new CRA guidance and will provide updates as they are available.
Please contact the Employee Contact Centre at x222HR (47) or via email hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca should you have any questions.
Reminder to complete your Equity Census today!
The updated Employment Equity Census is an important tool that helps us to better understand our workforce composition, measure progress and inform our continuous efforts. All faculty and staff (including interim and student employees) are asked to complete the census in Mosaic, under Employee Self-Service.
Employees at McMaster are also sharing their perspective on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace in a meaningful nine-part video series. These open and honest conversations dive into their own personal journey with inclusive experiences at McMaster, why it is important and what more can be done.
Learn more about McMaster’s commitment to Employment Equity.
Life@Mac
Employee Well-being Events
McMaster Pulse at Pace Program
March 4 – April 24, 2024
Sponsored by Athletics & Recreation and Sun Life Financial, Pulse at PACE is a pilot project to help McMaster faculty and staff get active. Learn more today!
McMaster Wellness Week
March 5-7, 2024
In partnership with Athletics & Recreation, wellness week offers employees free in-person physical activity classes. Employees are encouraged to register for and attend as many of the sessions as they choose.
Don’t miss additional events in March and April including The Ultimate Trivia Night. Read more about upcoming events in March on the HR website.
Learning and Development Programs
New Manager Orientation
March 18, 2024
If you’re a people leader who is also new to McMaster, join our next virtual New Manager Orientation program to learn everything you need to know about working at McMaster. Reserve your spot and see complete details on the program website.
Spring 2024 Knowledge Leaders Program
A Knowledge leader is a subject matter expert who regularly collaborates with project teams, committees or working groups. The Knowledge Leaders Program offers a highly practical and engaging program for individuals looking to develop their impact on others and leading relationships. Applications for the Spring 2024 Knowledge Leaders Program open March 1.
Additional Learning Opportunities
Finding time for your own development can feel like a challenge. Leverage on-demand learning resources that fit into your schedule:
- Find bite-sized learning on everything from data literacy to emotional intelligence on LinkedIn Learning
- Thinking Teams, Zoom or Outlook (among other systems) might be able to do more for you? Check out UTS’ Discover and Learn site for hot tips and tricks
- Wanting to spend some time revisiting how you approach your Finances? Check out this curated LinkedIn Learning Selection of Personal Finance Resources.
Upcoming Professional Development courses in March 2024
Grow your professional skills and apply them in the workplace right away! McMaster University employees can take McMaster Continuing Education’s highly concentrated Essentials Workshops to gain career insights in areas of leadership, communication, productivity, teamwork, and innovation at no cost.
Learn more and view upcoming courses today!
Black, Indigenous, and racialized (BIRS) Employee Resource Group: Searching for our next Chairs and Co-Chairs!
As you may know, BIRS has been active since 2021 supporting the well-being, development and advancement of McMaster staff members who identify as Black, Indigenous, and racialized. With the end of the current Chair and Vice-Chair leadership terms, we are seeking four interested members to take over the next term of Chair and/or Vice-Chair.
We thank the current leadership, Sophia Holness (Chair), Iyobosa, Faith Ogunkoya (Vice-Chair), Katelyn Knott (Vice-Chair) and Sashaina Singh (Vice-Chair) for their incredible work in establishing and running this ERG.
Learn more and apply today!
TMG Peer-to-Peer Recognition Program Recipients
Celebrated for their outstanding work and exemplary leadership capabilities, six TMG employees were recognized by their colleagues through the TMG Peer-to-Peer Recognition program.
Learn more about this year’s recipients and why they’re nominated on Daily News.
Working@Mac
Top 3 Questions
1. I’ve recently married and want to add my spouse to my benefits and change my surname. How do I initiate these changes?
In the case of Marriage or Common Law Declaration, please visit our HR Life Events page and download the applicable forms by clicking on the Marital and Family Status Change tile and selecting the applicable Life Change Package. Email the completed Life Change Package to hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.
The Life Change Package includes a Name Change Form. This form must be completed to notify McMaster University of a legal name change and must include a copy of approved supporting documentation.
2. How do I review my benefit and beneficiary information in Mosaic?
In Mosaic, navigate to your Employee Self Service page and click on the Benefit Details tile. From there you can review the benefits you are enrolled in, as well as your dependents, beneficiaries and other detailed information.
Please contact hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca, if you find any discrepancies or have any questions. Forms to update your benefits/dependents/beneficiaries and to enrol in optional benefits can be found on the Total Rewards page.
3. Who is eligible for free CPR training?
Full-time staff and faculty are eligible for CPR training. This training program is funded by HR and delivered by McMaster Athletics and Recreation. The employee number, department Chartfield account number, and contact information must be included on the registration form if you are registering at $0. Departments will only be charged in the case of a no-show or for cancellations less than 1 business day prior to the course. For more information, please visit the Athletics and Recreations website.
Mosaic Rapid Release
The latest Mosaic Rapid Release launched on February 15, 2024.
Mosaic Rapid Release is a cross-functional team dedicated to making small, but meaningful changes to Mosaic with the aim of improving how work is done each day. In February, the team implemented multiple system updates and improvements, which impacted SPP eForms.
To learn more about the changes and how they can benefit you and your teams, visit the February 2024: Mosaic Rapid Release page on the HR Website.
News To Use