Recent Announcements
9/28/06 - The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been distributing informational postings (infamously named "Toilet Talk" at the onset) to campus lavatories and locker rooms since December 2005. EAP Coordinator, Wilma Parry, and EAP committee members have received requests for copies of some previous postings. Requests for copies of these postings can be provided to any faculty/staff member, who wishes to use them for classroom discussion or to share with a family member or friend, by e-mailing Wilma at wilma.parry@fredonia.edu. In every case, requests for informational materials will be kept confidential.
Previous topics of postings were in regards to: Diversity, Caffeine, Personal Time Management, Alcohol Dependency, Insomnia, Healthier Eating, Summer Safety, and Unhealthy Relationships.
9/28/06 - Mark your calendars for the 2006 Employee Benefit Fair to be held inside the multipurpose room of the Williams Center on Thursday, October 26, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thirty (30) different vendors are expected to attend this event, to inform and educate all University employees of their benefits, and answer any questions or concerns to that regard. There will ALSO be three (3)formal presentations in S104 of the Williams Center that day:
New York State and Local Retirement Systems (Employees' Retirement System) 10:30 - Noon
TIAA-CREF 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
Social Security Administration 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
All University employees are strongly encouraged to attend the open forum, as well as attend any/all of the formal presentations. Employees planning to attend a formal presentation are asked to contact Linda Kravitz (Linda.Kravitz@fredonia.edu) in Human Resources to make a reservation at 716-673-3434. Employees may attend this event without charge to accruals, with prior supervisory approval. Refreshments & prizes!!!
12/7/05 - The Human Resources benefit tip for the month of October will be of particular interest to ALL New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) enrollees who are age 64 or older, as well as those eligible for Medicare due to disability...
Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) will be available to everyone with Medicare. NYSHIP provides creditable prescription drug coverage to it's Empire Plan and HMO enrollees, which basically means NYSHIP enrollees have prescription coverage that is as good or better than the Medicare Part D coverage would provide them. Therefore, NYSHIP enrollees may elect to keep their NYSHIP prescription drug coverage, rather than enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. While most NYSHIP enrollees should NOT enroll in Medicare Part D, an exception to this rule applies when an enrollee AND their covered dependent(s) are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy that provides extra help to pay for the Medicare Part D cost.
If a NYSHIP enrollee elects to sign up for Medicare Part D and does NOT qualify for the Low Income Subsidy, please note the following:
Their NYSHIP prescription drug coverage would become secondary; which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs for the enrollee, as well as the need to submit claim forms for prescription reimbursements from NYSHIP;
Medicare Part D premiums would NOT be reimburseable from NYSHIP.
If you have questions about your Medicare benefits, call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or go on-line at www.medicare.gov. If you have eligibility questions regarding the Medicare Low Income Subsidy, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or go on-line at www.socialsecurity.gov.
REMINDER: Active employees age 65+ who participate in NYSHIP need NOT enroll in Medicare Parts A or B. However, they may choose to enroll in Part A for (free) secondary hospital insurance. Seldom do active employees age 65+ enroll in Part B for secondary medical insurance, because there is a monthly $78.20 unreimburseable charge. NYSHIP remains primary coverage for enrollees and their covered dependents while they are an active (benefits eligible) State employee, regardless of age or disability EXCEPT when their dependent has end stage renal disease or is a domestic partner age 65+.
Retirees MUST be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when first eligible.
6/7/05 - This announcement is of great importance to retirees who return to campus in a "benefits eligible" position...
When a retiree is rehired in a "benefits eligible" position, it may affect their dental/vision and health insurance options and coverages, especially if the employee or their spouse/domestic partner is age 65+.
When one is age 65+ and retired, or retired with a dependent who is age 65+, it is mandatory that Medicare become primary and the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) become secondary coverage (if a NYSHIP participant). As a result of this rule, the State of New York reimburses the retiree $78.20 a month per enrollee (2005 rate) for the Medicare Part B cost. HOWEVER, if the retiree returns to campus in a "benefits eligible" position, the employee and dependents revert back to NYSHIP as primary coverage and Medicare temporarily becomes secondary coverage, causing the retiree to relinquish eligibility for the monthly Medicare reimbursement.
In order to promptly code which insurance carrier is primary and secondary for rehired retirees participating in NYSHIP, Laurie strongly encourages you to contact her during any semester in which your benefits eligibility changes, if you or your dependent is 65 or older. With your assistance in this matter, Laurie can help ensure that your health insurance claims are processed in the correct order of carriers, and that Medicare reimbursement will be properly and timely made to you.
What Determines "Benefits Eligibility?"
Benefits Eligible Academics: are teaching two or more classes;
Benefits Eligible Professional Staff: are earning $11,532 or more annually (2004-2005 guidelines);
Benefits Eligible Classified Staff: are working in a position at 50% or more.
PLEASE NOTE: You and your dependents remain NYSHIP primary, REGARDLESS of age, if you are still working and NOT YET RETIRED. Medicare coverage is not mandatory, nor is the cost reimburseable, to those employees.
Should you have any questions regarding this topic, please let Laurie know.
7/2/03 - The National "Do Not Call" Registry began 6/27/03. If you are interested in blocking telemarketers from calling you, you can visit the government web site at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/donotcall/
The enforcement of this registry begins on October 1st.
5/14/03 - POLICY ON ALCOHOL & CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN THE WORKPLACE
I. REASON FOR POLICY - The use of alcohol or controlled substances has a deleterious effect on our workforce. Employees, who, while on duty in an impaired status due to the use of alcohol or controlled substances disrupt the efficient and effective delivery of educational and related services to students, coworkers, parents and visitors. Additionally, employees under the disabling effects of alcohol or controlled substances present a threat to all members of the campus community. Finally, to ensure compliance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the New York Policy on Alcohol and Controlled Substances in the workplace this policy is authored. For all the above reasons, this policy is implemented.
II. POLICY STATEMENT - In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the New York State Policy on Alcohol and Controlled Substances in the Workplace, SUNY Fredonia employees are subject to criminal, civil, and disciplinary penalties for any violation of the policy below:
The unlawful use, possession, manufacture, dispensation, or distribution of a controlled substance (as defined in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substance Act - 21USC812) in all SUNY Fredonia work locations is prohibited.
Employees must notify the Human Resources Office of any criminal conviction for a drug-statute violation occurring in the workplace or at a work site no later than five (5) working days after such conviction. An employee so convicted shall be required to satisfactorily participate in a state-approved drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program as a condition of continuing employment.
Employees are prohibited from alcohol-related impairment on the job or in any SUNY Fredonia facilities.
Such illegal acts, even if engaged in while off duty, may result in disciplinary action. In those locations where it is permitted, an employee may possess and use a controlled substance that is legally prescribed for the employee by a physician. If a supervisor has a reasonable suspicion that an employee is unable to perform job duties because of an impairment that may be caused by use of a controlled substance or alcohol, the employee may be required to undergo medical testing. If the cause of the impairment is found to be drug or alcohol related, the Director of Human Resources, in conjunction with the employee's supervisor, may refer the employee to voluntary and confidential participation in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Other available options include pursuing leave procedures or disciplinary measures.
III. AUTHORITY FOR POLICY - Adopted April 30, 2003 by the authority of the President's Cabinet.