Important Message to Staff, Student and Supplemental Employees Regarding Your Pay (1 of 2)

Mar 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

To all staff employees, supplemental employees, and student employees,

Through April 13, the college will continue to pay you for your regular or scheduled hours, whether or not you are working.

Last week President Nissley informed you the college would be “closed for all but essential functions” through the end of March. Since then, Governor Whitmer has issued an executive order requiring that all but essential employees “Stay Home, Stay Safe” until April 13 to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As President Nissley shared with you recently, the college is working to be resourceful, flexible, creative, and compassionate during this time of great challenge. This includes choosing to extend the period you will be paid during this initial pandemic response and seeking additional resources. 

IMPORTANT:  Please watch for an upcoming message today with directions on HOW to record your time during this period.

We will be back in touch with you soon about plans starting April 14.

Please check our information hub for regular updates and FAQs: NMC.EDU/CORONAVIRUS

Please continue to watch your email for further notifications. Your questions are welcomed and should be addressed either to your direct supervisor or to the HR team.

Thank you,
Mark

Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342

Important Message to Staff, Student and Supplemental Employees Regarding Your Pay (2 of 2)

Mar 27, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

To all staff employees, student employees and supplemental employees,

This is a follow-up message to help you understand how to record your time from April 1- April 13.

Effective April 1, all staff (including salaried), student and supplemental employees will be asked to record their scheduled, non-working time in ADP using the ‘COVID-19’ leave code (hourly employees were first asked to do this on March 18).

This is important because;

  • this COVID-19 designated time will count toward the provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that provides all employees with two weeks additional leave for COVID-19 related absences, and 
  • also through the FFCRA, there may be important tax credits available to the college for costs associated with employee pay during this period. While this will not impact the employee’s pay, it may help the college receive reimbursement for pandemic-related costs.

All Hourly Employees

  • Please continue to use the COVID-19 Pay Code to categorize scheduled time you were unable to work due to the closure on your timecard. This might include sick time, reduced availability due to school or daycare closures, home technology constraints, lack of work that can be performed remotely, etc. All such hours will be paid as scheduled.
  • Please code time actually worked (including telecommute) as normal.

All Salaried Staff Employees 

  • Beginning April 1, please follow the usual time off request process but use the “COVID-19” leave designation for any time unable to work due to the closure. This might include sick time, reduced availability due to school or daycare closures, home technology constraints, lack of work that can be performed remotely, etc. (A step-by-step visual guide of the ADP time off request process is attached for reference.)
    • For example, if during your work day you reply to work emails for two hours, attend two hours of zoom meetings and spend 4 hours caring for your children who are home because of closed school, please use the COVID-19 code in ADP to record those 4 childcare hours. 
    • Another example, if your job at the college is primarily done in person, e.g. answering calls, and you cannot do that work from home, please use the COVID-19 code in ADP to record your scheduled hours. 
  • Employees who continue to work full schedules from home without limitation do not need to take any action.
  • Using the COVID-19 code for time off will not affect your pay or reduce your vacation or sick balances.

Supervisors can perform the functions above on behalf of their employees, if needed. If you have any questions or problems please contact payroll@nmc.edu.

Thank you and have a safe and quiet weekend,

Mark

Mark Liebling
AVP of Human Resources
1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 995-1342

Requesting Time Off in ADP

Virtual Online Visits through Priority Health – Please Review

Mar 26, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Please read the following information regarding access to free screening for COVID-19, and virtual visit followup.

Priority Health recommends beginning your health screening with a free virtual screening through a phone call to (616) 391-2380 (Spectrum Health).  Once you have discussed your symptoms and situation, it will be determined if you should be referred to a Virtual Visit Online.

  • Who should call? Any one can call the screening hotline at (616) 391-2380 completely free.
  • When should you call?  Priority Health says- Fever-Cough-Breathing Difficulty.
  • Who is covered for a Virtual Visit Online? Those employees who have NMC’s Priority Health coverage.
  • What will the cost be for the Virtual Visit Online?  The Virtual Visit Online will be covered at 100% for both the Core and High Deductible plans.  You will have no out of pocket costs for this service during the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Why should I use this process to access primary care visits?  The CDC, along with the health care system, are asking those who may need care due to possible coronavirus issues to follow these steps so you are not risking yourself or others to covid-19 exposure.
  • How do I access the Virtual Online Visits? https://employees.nmc.edu/depts/human-resources/total-compensation/priority-virutal-visits.pdf

Please direct any questions to Hollie DeWalt at (231) 995-1350 or hdewalt@nmc.edu.

Priority Health – Accessing Online Visits and COVID-19 Preparations

Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Accessing Online (virtual) Visits

 Log into your Priority Health Account > Go To My Health Care on the top ribbon > Video Visit with a doctor

COVID-19 Preparations

If you need to prepare for extra medication (beyond a 30 day refill) please contact Priority Health to see how they can assist- 800-956-1954.

See Priority Health’s COVID-19 public information page HERE.

Kudos!

Mar 19, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here. (more…)

TIAA Live and Recorded Webinars for March

Feb 28, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

This information is  available to you for downloading from the Live Webinar Plan Sponsor Landing Page.  The March line-up includes some fantastic topics highlighted below.  By the way, the webinars are recorded and available on the live webinar platform for 30 days post event:

UPCOMING HOT TOPICS

Introduction to Social Security
Many people collect Social Security benefits but not all understand how benefits are calculated, how to apply or basic strategies for claiming benefits. Learn the basics about Social Security including eligibility, how to apply, how your benefit is calculated and strategies for claiming benefits.
March 17 at 12 p.m. (ET)

Market proof your retirement*
In retirement—and the years leading up to it—protecting your savings becomes just as important as growing it. Join us to learn how to create your own personal pension with TIAA Traditional, offered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).**
March 18 at 12 p.m. (ET)

Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
You may know about the tax advantages of contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), but did you know that HSAs are also a way to save for health care in retirement? This webinar will help you understand unique aspects of HSAs including how they help account owners to pay for current health care expenses and save for those in the future. We hope that you will join us for this educational event.
March 19 at 12 p.m. (ET)

One important note, please ensure that you only share the following link with NMC employees: www.tiaa.org/webinars.  Both TIAA members and non-members can take advantage of the webinars.  The registration link has a guest log in.

Priority Health Electronic Delivery

Feb 28, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

Members can opt for paperless Explanation of Benefit forms (EOB’s) by first logging in to their Member Portal, then selecting the “My profile” button in the top right hand corner:

  • Select Message & Notification settings from the left hand menu:
  • Scroll down until you see the toggle for EOB preferences, where you can elect yes or no.

Updated Personnel Action Sheet (PAS)

Feb 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

HR has made some updates to the PAS. Please find the updated form in the forms section of the NMC website. NMC Home Page > Forms (top banner) > Human Resources > Payroll > Personnel Action Sheet.

This form should be used for all change requests that impact an employee’s pay or position. It will also replace the use of the “Additional Pay Authorization” form.

Kudos!

Feb 24, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here. (more…)

Changes to HRToolbench access (job descriptions)

Feb 7, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom

HRToolbench will no longer be available after February 29, 2020.  The company that manages the software is closing. HR will be managing job descriptions and classification going forward.  HR will have access to all of the data now held in HRToolbench, but if you want to save a copy of your job description for any reason, please do so before February 29, 2020. Let Hollie DeWalt know if you have any questions.