Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
HRascals Newsletter; November 2015
Hopefully Fall term is treating you well. We are looking forward to some time off during the upcoming holidays and have a few reminders as we get close to the end of the year.
Monthly HR Fun Fact
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) was originated during President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.  In it's final form, it banned oppressive child labor, set the minimum hourly wage at 25 cents, and set the maximum work week at 44 hours (although it was originally proposed as 30 hours!) Today, the FLSA, continues to determine overtime eligibility and protects underage workers.
SEIU Pay Increases
The bargaining agreement with SEIU was recently ratified and, as a result, all SEIU employees will receive a 2.25% increase on both December 1, 2015 and December 1, 2016. These increases will be automatically applied by the Payroll Team, no action is required at the department level. These increases are to the steps themselves so if an employee's merit increase date happens to be 12/1, the 2.25% cost-of-living increase will be built in.
Please contact your HR Partner if you have any questions.
Holiday Campus Closure Days
As a reminder, campus will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday 11/26 and Friday 11/27. Campus will also be closed on Friday 12/25 for Christmas and Friday 1/1/16 for New Year's Day. The University will be open from Monday 12/28 through Thursday 12/31 however we encourage people to take advantage of the slower-paced period by taking vacation during this week.
Please contact your HR Partner if you have any questions.
Inclement Weather
As we head towards winter, declining temperatures, and possible snow we'd like to to remind you of the University's procedure for responding to significant inclement weather. As a public entity and residential campus, PSU is open for business everyday of the academic year except for recognized holidays and other periods of official closure. From time to time, however, weather conditions are sufficiently extreme or hazardous such that operating the University would jeopardize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. When this happens, the University will generally respond in one of two ways:
1. PSU will open late or close early based on weather conditions; or
2. PSU will close completely, cancelling all classes and events and providing only essential services. 
For more details please refer to this memo from Kevin Reynolds or contact your HR Partner with questions.
AFT Bargaining Update
Bargaining efforts are on-going between the University and PSUFA. The most recent collective bargaining agreement ended on 6/30/15; however, we will continue to operate under status-quo until the new agreement is ratified. We understand that you are working on Winter and Spring adjunct appointments. You can continue to use the minimum per credit rate of $858, or the minimum hourly research rates of $20.18 or $21.76 for Research Assistants and Research Associates respectively, until further notice.
Required Documents for New Employees
As a reminder, new employees need to complete and submit to HR, on or before their first day of employment:
  • Employee Information form
  • W-4 form
  • I-9 Work Authorization form and supporting document(s)
  • Social Security card
Regardless of supporting document(s) provided for the I-9, HR must see the original Social Security card and make a copy for the employee’s personnel file.  IRS regulation, as well as the Federal Employer’s Tax Guide, requires that each employee’s payroll name and number exactly match their Social Security card to prevent misdirected social security funds.
Additional documents are required for employees with Resident Alien and Non-Resident Alien status.
Complete information and current forms can be found here.
All forms can be downloaded from the HR website and completed by the new employee prior to submitting to HR.
Upcoming Trainings
Upcoming trainings are listed below. Find more information and register here.
  • Performance Evaluation Training: Tuesday 12/8
  • Employment Law Update & Title IX: Friday 12/11
  • EPAF Training: Monday 12/14
  • Customer Service Training: Tuesday 12/15, sign up for this one here.
  • PeopleAdmin Training: Wednesday 12/16
  • Leave Laws Training: Wednesday 12/16
  • Retirement Choices Lunch & Learn: Thursday 12/17
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