Human Resources Updates and Announcements: September 2024

Publish Date

2024-09-05

Important Announcement

Human Resources Staffing Update

As of August 30, 2024, the organizational placement of the Access & Equity Office (AEO) has changed. AEO now falls directly under the Finance & Administration Division. However, this organizational change will have no impact on the support and services provided by AEO. Please continue to reach out to the AEO team with any questions or concerns via email at AEO@uis.edu or phone at 217-206-6222.

The AEO team will continue to maintain close relationships with their Human Resources colleagues to support their processes and key initiatives.

September Session

Employee Development Series

We are excited to announce the next installment of the monthly Employee Development Series: The CSPL Showcase. This session will be presented by The Center for State Policy and Leadership. Attendees will learn about the important work happening within The Center and hear from The Office of Research and Evaluation, The Office of Graduate Intern Programs, and The Illinois Innocence Project through presentations and a panel discussion.

The CSPL Showcase is open to all faculty and staff and will be held in the Student Union Ballroom on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. This event includes both a networking breakfast and lunch for attendees.

Chancellor Gooch and Orion pose for a picture after the 2023 Prairie Stars 5K

Event Announcement

Prairie Stars 5K Run/Walk

Our friends in Campus Recreation will be holding the 9th Annual Prairie Stars 5K Run/Walk on September 28, 2024. It is a flat, easy run/walk course around campus, starting and finishing at TRAC. Whether you want to set a new personal record, run your first 5K, or bring your family for a walk, it’s a fun event for everyone. Grab a friend and/or your dog to get an awesome dri-fit t-shirt, win a door prize, and more!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

8:30 a.m. Start Time
Start/Finish: The Recreation & Athletic Center
$20 per Person to Register
Register by September 22nd

Event Announcement

2024 Mental Health Symposium

The U of I System will be holding their annual Mental Health Symposium virtually on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 1:00- 3:00pm. This event, to date, is just the start of an ongoing effort to address mental health while emphasizing the role all members of the campus community can play in supporting a caring and nurturing environment that allows employees and students to thrive and reach their full potential.

The keynote speaker at this year’s event is Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her keynote, “Advancing Student and Employee Health and Well-Being as a Health Promoting University,” will focus on what it means to be a health promoting university, and the steps to take to meet that aspirational goal.

Be on the lookout for the U of I System email with the information to register and participate in this year’s event!

Policy Update

Paid & Unpaid Funeral/Bereavement Leave

In 2024, the U of I System expanded the leave policies for both paid and unpaid Funeral/Bereavement Leave. Below is a brief overview of both types of leave and how they may be used. For more detailed information, eligibility, and FAQs, please visit the Funeral/Bereavement Leave Policy webpage.

Paid Funeral/Bereavement Leave: Eligible employees are entitled to five (5) days of paid leave for immediate family members and one (1) day of paid leave for extended family members. This University paid leave must be requested and approved by the employee’s supervisor and used in full-day increments. Employees also need to record this paid leave in their respective timekeeping system. A formal leave application through HR is not required.
Unpaid Family Bereavement Leave (FBL): In accordance with the Family Bereavement Act (IL Public Act 102-1050), eligible employees are entitled to ten (10) days of unpaid leave for qualifying events in association with the death of an immediate family member. These events may be reviewed on the Unpaid FBL Policy webpage. This leave requires a leave application process through HR and if approved, must be used in full-day increments.

Eligible employees may utilize both paid and unpaid Funeral/Bereavement Leave, however, the leave days run concurrently and may not extend the total allowable ten (10) days under the FBL Act. For questions and to apply for unpaid FBL, please contact the Leave Coordinator, Heather Moore, at hkimb2@uis.edu.