Please see below for updates and announcements from the Office of Human Resources.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- December 23, 2023 – January 1, 2024: Winter Break
- December 31, 2023: NYS Mandatory Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training Deadline
- January 10, 2024: Winter Luncheon, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Terrace Dining Hall
- January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Early Timecard Submission for Non-exempt Employees NOT Working Over Winter Break
Non-exempt employees not scheduled to work over winter break must submit their timecards for December 18 – December 31, 2023, at the end of their scheduled shift on Friday, December 22, 2023.
Non-exempt employees scheduled to work over winter break must submit their timecards for December 18 – December 31, 2023, by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
New York State’s COVID-19 Paid Leave is Still in Effect
Employees are entitled to paid COVID-19 sick leave while they are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the NYS Department of Health (or any governmental entity similarly authorized). In no event shall an employee qualify for sick leave under New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law for more than three orders of quarantine or isolation. The second and third orders must be based on a positive COVID-19 test and the employee must submit documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility attesting that the employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Additional details about paid COVID-19 sick leave can be found on the COVID-19 Employee Resources webpage.
All employees working on campus, even if only occasionally, are required to adhere to all CDC (Centers for Disease Control), NYS, local health department, and Ithaca College guidelines, policies, and procedures at all times. All employees are urged to take basic preventive measures to prepare themselves and their families to avoid exposure to or infection by the viruses causing COVID-19.
Deadline Approaching for NYS Mandatory Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training
As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a workplace free from sexual harassment, we require all employees and affiliates working with our students, faculty, and staff to complete a New York State mandated training. As mandated by New York State this training must be completed annually. On November 15, 2023, all employees who still need to complete this training for fiscal year 2023-2024, were issued the “NYS Mandatory Preventing Harassment and Discrimination Training” in the HR Cloud. The training is self-paced and will take most employees about one hour to complete. You do not need to complete the training in one session. You may save your progress at any time. Once your progress has been saved, you may exit the training, and return to it later. If you have any questions about the training, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
The mandatory training must be completed by December 31, 2023.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE TRAINING
Flexible Work Plans
As was previously announced, the Flexible Work Plan Policy has been updated to provide additional information and guidance. As part of that update, all existing Flexible Work Plans, and any new Flexible Work Plan request, must be resubmitted and approved by supervisors and respective Vice Presidents no later than January 2, 2024. The form to submit Flexible Work Plans can be found at the following link: Flexible Work Plan Request.
Flexible Work Plans must be reviewed by the employee and the supervisor every 6 months, however more regular check-ins are recommended throughout the approved Flexible Work Plan period to ensure the plan continues to meet the needs of the department and of the college. Additional Flexible Work Plan resources and the complete policy can be found at the following link: Flexible Work Plan Policy.
As always, please contact the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@ithaca.edu or 607-274-8000 if you have any questions.
Flexible Work Plan Request Form
2024 403(b) Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
The IRS recently announced that plan limits will increase for 2024 (IRS Announces Retirement Plan Contribution Limit for 2024). Employees may contribute up to a maximum of $23,000 to the IC 403(b) Plan during the calendar year of 2024. Employees who are age 50 and older may make additional catch-up contributions of $7,500 in 2024. To make changes to your IC 403b Plan, you can log onto your account at: https://www.tiaa.org/public/tcm/ithaca or reach a TIAA customer service assistant at: 1-800-842-2252 who can assist you with your change.
Educational Benefits
- 2024 Spring Semester Cash Awards
Cash award applications received for the Spring 2024 semester have been processed and payments will be mailed in the next week. Applications submitted after December 12th will be processed when the College reopens on January 2, 2024.
- 2024 Spring Semester Tuition Remission for Employees and Dependents
Tuition remission applications for employees and dependents for the Spring 2024 semester will be processed through December 20th. Applications submitted after this date will be processed when the College reopens on January 2, 2024.
- 2024 Winter Session Tuition Remission for Employees and Dependents
Tuition remission applications for employees and dependents for the Winter 2024 session will be processed just prior to the start of the Winter session. The Office of Human Resources is working closely with the Office of Extended Studies to determine if Winter session classes will be canceled due to low enrollment before processing the applications on January 2, 2024.
As a reminder, please visit our Benefits – Educational Benefits page to submit cash award or employee/dependent tuition remission requests. https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness/family-friendly-wellness-benefits/educational-benefits
2024 Employer Health Savings Account Contributions
A reminder if you enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA), the employer contribution to the HSA will be made with your first paycheck of the new year. Please allow time for bank processing.
PayFlex changes its name to Inspira Financial
Effective January 17, 2024, employees with a Tax Advantage Account, Flexible Spending Account, or Health Savings Account will automatically be routed from the PayFlex site to www.inspirafinancial.com when they access their PayFlex account online.
Staff Council Corner
Staff Council is looking to expand committee participation to all staff. Not just those serving as representatives on staff council. These committees include those focused on social engagement, helping staff in need, and professional development. Please complete the Staff Council Committee Interest Form to indicate your interest. No commitment is required at this time.
Do you know who your Staff Council Rep is? If not, reach out to staffcouncil@ithaca.edu and we will connect you!
IC Warm Welcome
Brian Barrett (Dining Towers Marketplace)
Dalton Davis (Mail Services)
Loretta Epthimiatos (Public Safety & Emergency Management)
Devante Harden (Dining Utility)
Jack Nelson (Patrol and Security Services)
Celeste Orr (Facilities Services Residential)
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