News to Use – November 2023
News to Use – November 2023
News to Use is a monthly summary of HR information for all employees of McMaster University.
McMaster named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s top employers.
We’re proud to be recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the ninth consecutive year! We’re committed to offering meaningful opportunities, competitive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and more to create an environment where our community can excel. Thank you to all our faculty and staff, who do incredible work every day to help create a brighter world. Read more here.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Initiatives
New SAFE Health and Safety training available.
We all have a role to play in maintaining a safe work environment at McMaster. The new SAFE training module is now available, combining four existing mandatory health and safety training courses into one 30-minute video, making it easier and more accessible to learn how to stay safe on campus. Click here to learn more.
Prepare for winter conditions with these safety tips.
As temperatures start to drop and winter’s wet and icy conditions appear, we want to help you get to where you’re going safely. Pavement can be slippery, even for Mac the Marauder, so check out the below winter safety tips as you get ready for the weather ahead:
- Wear footwear with proper treads.
- Stay on clear pathways and take short steps.
- Avoid distractions.
To report icy pavement, unclear pathways or other winter hazards, please click here. Let’s work together to stay safe this winter.
December Employee Well-being Program: Mindfulness Under the Stars
Take a short break from your work and join Cara-Jane Dempsey for a 30-minute guided mindfulness session under the stars at the McMaster Planetarium.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023 , 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: McMaster Planetarium
Register today – Space is limited.
Reminder: Health and Wellbeing resources available to support you
We are committed to enabling a work culture that is healthy, safe, inclusive, collaborative, engaging and allows every employee to thrive. Visit the Psychological Health and Safety page for resources to help foster a psychologically safe environment, manager workload, build capacity and find balance.
Learning and Development Programs
New training module enhances cybersecurity awareness on campus
McMaster recently launched a new Information Security Training Module open to all staff, faculty, researchers, and students. The training addresses important topics like email phishing, passwords, multi-factor authentication, and data storage. Plus, enrol by Nov. 30th for a chance to win a Fitbit fitness tracker! Learn more.
Lunch and Learn: Build your Career One Block at a Time
In recognition of November as Career Month we are hosting an exciting webinar focused on career and skills development. Bring your lunch and join experts from our Talent, Equity and Development team on Thursday, December 7 at 12:00 p.m. to discuss actionable insights to help you understand your own career journey and strengths, identify areas of interest and build a plan to develop key skills
Register today on the Canada Career Month page.
Community Engagement Events
McMaster United Way Online Auction: Place a Bid and Give Back to the Halton-Hamilton Community!
Our annual United Way Online Auction is a chance to give back to your community. They will showcase amazing prizes, which in previous years has included sports tickets, conservation passes, and culinary experiences. All proceeds will go towards McMaster’s United Way campaign, which supports hundreds of agencies and programs in Halton and Hamilton.
We are asking for your support to help us surpass last year’s fundraising total of $276,000 and make the McMaster Campaign the largest workplace campaign in the Hamilton-Halton area once again. Bidding will open on November 27 and will close on December 11.
Hamilton United Dodgeball Tournament
Join us for the inaugural Hamilton United Dodgeball Tournament in support of United Way. Staff and faculty from the City of Hamilton, Mohawk College and McMaster University will battle on the courts for the title. Registration is $20 per person and closes on November 24.
Date/Time: Friday, December 8, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Mohawk College, 135 Fennell Ave West, Hamilton, David Braley Athletic & Recreation Centre
Working@Mac
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Contribution Limits Rise in January 2024
Starting in January, a new earnings ceiling called the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE) is being introduced, with additional CPP contributions of 4% for both employers and employees, on earnings between the yearly maximum pensionable earnings limit (YMPE$68,500 for 2024) and the new additional maximum pensionable earnings amount (YAMPE $73,200 for 2024). As a result, the new combined maximum employer and employee CPP contribution for 2024 will be $4,055.50 each.
The basic exemption amount for CPP for 2024 remains at $3,500. Individuals who earn less than that amount do not need to contribute to the CPP.
More information about the CPP changes can be found on the CRA’s website
November 2023 – Top 3 Questions
1. When will I receive my Pension Statement?
Active members of the University’s Salaried and Hourly Pension Plans can expect to receive their annual statement by the end of the calendar year. Statements will reflect pensionable service and accrued annual pension up to and including June 30, 2023. Annual statements will be delivered electronically for the majority of Salaried Plan 2000 members – look out for an email notifying you when they are available in the Pension Portal. Members of the Salaried Plan 2000 who do not receive the email and members of the Hourly Pension Plan and the Original Pension Plan will have their annual statement mailed to their home address. For more information visit the below links:
Salaried Pension Plan: How to Read Your Annual Pension Statement . Salaried
Hourly Pension Plan: How to Read Your Annual Pension Statement . Hourly
2. How do I delegate my HR Mosaic approvals (I.e. eFORMS, job openings)?
To ensure the seamless processing of HR Mosaic approvals, such as eForms and Job Openings, during your absence from work, it is recommended to delegate these responsibilities. You can find a How-to-Guide and a Video Tutorial to support you on the Mosaic HR eForm Resources webpage found here.
3. Does McMaster have an employee discount program?
McMaster offers the Venngo WorkPerks discount program, providing exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, shopping, and wellness. You can start exploring these discounts by visiting the Employee Discount Program Page on the HR Webpage.