Beginning Jan. 1, the University of Utah will begin offering full-time benefitted employees paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The new rule provides 50 percent of the staff member’s salary for a cumulative six-week period that can be used intermittently during the first year after the birth/adoption.

All eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Sick time accruals will be used first and then vacation accruals will be applied to the time away. Now, parents will receive six weeks of compensation before using their sick and vacation accruals.

Highlights

• Benefit will be 50 percent paid leave for up to six weeks for eligible staff.
• Child must be born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2019.
• Employee must hold a full-time benefited staff position and be employed for the prior 12 months.
• Leave must be used within 12 months of birth or adoption.
• Runs concurrently with FMLA – doesn’t extend or defer FMLA leave.
• If both parents work for the university, the time can be split between each parent.
• Does not apply for staff at the university’s hospitals and clinics.

Spearheaded by a sub-committee of the University Staff Council, these dedicated volunteers spent years working to better the lives of their fellow employees. A lot of time was devoted to reading current research, drafting and re-drafting the proposal and working with administrators on finalizing the rule.

Suicide:  What you can do to help

Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death in Utah and the second leading cause for youth ages 10–24. The University of Utah’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Blomquist Hale, provides some suggestions in their Fall 2018 newsletter. Read the newsletter here.

Crisis line support is available through the EAP 24/7. EAP services provided are free to employees enrolled in the U’s Employee Health Care Plan, their dependents and other individuals residing in the employee’s home. Contact the EAP at 801-587-9319 or 800-926-9619.

UNI also has a mobile outreach team to respond in the event of crisis. The UNI crisis line is 801-587-3000.  Children and teens should download the SafeUT app as a resource for real-time crisis intervention for youth.

Get your flu shot

If you were not able to get your flu shot at Employee Appreciation Day, you can stop into RedMed for one of their October flu clinics. The RedMed clinic is located on the ground floor of the Union Building.  During October, you can stop in for a flu shot without an appointment during the following hours:

Mondays: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wednesdays: 12-4 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Remember that RedMed should be your first stop if you experience a work-related injury or illness (unless the injury is life- or limb-threatening). You can also schedule an appointment or visit RedMed for other medical services at no cost to university employees. For more information, click here.

National Save for Retirement Week is coming

Save some time during the week of Oct. 22 to attend sessions regarding saving for and preparing for retirement. Sessions will be held in the Union Building and in the new HR space in the 250 Tower downtown. A schedule will be posted on the HR website and mailed to employees’ homes soon.