News to Use – August 2023
News to Use – August 2023
News to Use is a monthly summary of HR information for all employees of McMaster University.
The Working Mind Mental Health Training – The Working Mind is an evidence-based training program designed to promote mental health and reduce stigma around mental illness in the workplace by initiating a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. The training offers practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. Three core modules offer the same foundational content to both employee and people leader participants and an additional module focuses on helping leaders support their teams’ mental health.
As of September 2023, courses are available for people leaders as well as employees. To learn more about the training and register for an upcoming course, please visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/twm.
LinkedIn Learning Resource – LinkedIn Learning is an on-demand learning solution designed to help learners gain new skills and advance their careers. LinkedIn Learning offers a customized learning experience that features instructional content relevant to the learner’s professional interests and goals. Active McMaster students, faculty and staff have FREE, UNLIMITED ACCESS to video tutorials related to business, media and technology through LinkedIn Learning, a self-service training site.
LinkedIn Learning Offers:
- Unlimited access to video tutorials covering communication, technology, business, and creative topics
- Over 16,000 online courses to help you learn software, creative, IT, and business skills
- Personalized recommendations to explore the most in-demand skills based on your experience
- Helpful resources like quizzes, exercise files and coding practice windows to reinforce learning
Visit the LinkedIn Learning webpage for further details.
Benefit Year Ending June 30th – McMaster’s benefit year ends June 30th, 2023. Eligible employees have until September 30th, 2023, to submit to Sun Life any extended health and dental claims incurred during the period July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Review your Group Benefits booklet and the Sun Life claims procedures for more details. Claims can be easily submitted online or through the Sun Life mobile app. More information on how to submit claims online or via the app can be found here.
Refreshed Payroll Calendars – HR Operations is excited to introduce our revamped payroll calendars, designed to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of payroll processes. The upgraded calendar will offer you the following benefits:
- Gain a clear understanding of key dates within each pay period
- Define key payroll terms, including approval and deadline details
- Select the format that aligns best with your preferences
- Enjoy the option to seamlessly integrate the calendar with Outlook
- Strategically plan your payroll tasks in advance
The refreshed payroll calendars are now available for 2023 and 2024 on the HR webpages below and will be maintained regularly. A printable version of the calendar is also available for your convenience.
Time Reporting & Payroll Webpage
We encourage you to review the new payroll calendars and familiarize yourself with the significant dates and timeframes.
For any questions or feedback, please reach out to the Employee Contact Centre at hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca
Annual Holiday Schedule – A new fixed holiday schedule has been introduced to help the McMaster University community plan more effectively.
The schedule now outlines specific holiday closure dates for the December period. This includes a set schedule depending on when Dec. 31 falls in the calendar. The minimum closure period at the end of any calendar year will be seven working days.
Access the new annual holiday schedule here.
Frequently Asked Questions – Top 3
- What is the Heath Care Spending Account and how do I use it?
A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) is an employee benefit that offers reimbursement for health and dental expenses dependent on a member’s own individual healthcare needs. Currently TMG and Unifor Unit 1 are eligible for this benefit.
Uses:
- Top Up traditional benefits (co-pays, deductibles, excesses on annual maximums)
- Non eligible benefits under the benefit plan
How to Claim:
The claim can be submitted through a form via mail, online through the SunLife member site, or through the SunLife app. The form and instructions can be found through each specific employee group’s Total Rewards page by navigating to the Health Care Spending Account tile under “Benefits”.
- Why have my Salaried Pension Plan contributions increased as of July 1?
In accordance with the Salaried Pension Plan text, pension contributions are based on your salary as of July 1. As a result, pension contributions are adjusted annually, and this is reflected on the first pay after July 1. Since pension contributions are deducted from earnings, the adjustment to pension contributions may result in a slightly lower income tax deduction.
- What are the changes to the Post-Doc (CUPE Unit 3) dental plan effective September 1, 2023?
As of September 1, 2023, CUPE Unit 3 dental benefits will be provided through Sun Life (previously administered through the CUPE dental plan (Equitable Life)). Claims incurred up to and including August 31, 2023 need to be submitted to Equitable Life and new claims as of September 1, 2023 will be submitted to Sun Life. In addition, dental premiums will now be paid by the University for eligible employees (contracts 12 months or more and > 17.5 hours per week) and the previous co-pay arrangement will end.
Please visit the HR website or CUPE 3906 web page for more details.
If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Contact Centre at x22247 or hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.
Questions? Call Human Resources at extension 222-HR or email us at hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca. You can also visit our website: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/
News To Use