1.Updating Check Stub Information
It is recommended that all employees, especially new employees, carefully examine their check or direct deposit stubs to verify that their personal information and tax statuses are accurate and up-to-date. Employees may update their names and addresses by submitting Personal Information Change Forms. Tax statuses may be updated by submitting new W-4 forms. These forms are available at: http://www.payroll.uconn.edu/forms/forms.html. If you have any questions regarding the information that appears on your check/direct deposit stub, please contact the Payroll Department at (860) 486-2423.
2.Important Information Regarding the First Payment of 2009
Due to the New Year’s holiday, funds from the first payment of 2009 will not be available until Friday, 01/02/09. As funds are usually accessible from checks and direct deposits on alternating Thursdays, employees are asked to plan accordingly for this adjustment. Unfortunately, funds cannot be made available to employees via direct deposit on Wednesday, 12/31/08 because of the adverse tax implications an additional 2008 payment would create.
The State of Connecticut will continue to provide additional information regarding check dated 01/02/09 in paycheck stuffers during upcoming pay periods. In addition to the information included with checks dated 9/25/08, further reminders will be communicated to all employees during the month of December.
3.Columbus Day & Veterans' Day
With classes in session on Columbus Day and Veterans’ Day, it is the expectation that the University conducts “business as usual” on Monday, October 13, 2008 and Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Offices will be open, and employees are expected to report to work.
Employees who wish to take the day off should handle their request like all other discretionary time off requests. If staffing permits, time off may be approved and should be recorded as a holiday taken on the holiday.
Please direct all questions to the Labor Relations Unit at (860) 486-5684.
4.Midterm Reviews for New Staff
The performance evaluation is an effective management tool which may be used on an annual basis, mid-year and during a new employee’s probationary period. It is a formal way to provide feedback related to an employee’s work performance and is a good opportunity for supervisors to set performance standards, communicate their expectations, and assist in setting work-related goals. Both classified and unclassified staff members are evaluated annually. However, Labor Relations would like to remind supervisors of additional times when an evaluation is either required by collective bargaining agreement, or strongly recommended.
Classified Staff:
Each employee in classified service who is appointed to a permanent position serves an initial 6-month working test period. A performance evaluation is required at least two weeks prior to the end of the working test period. We also recommend that supervisors give a midterm review halfway through the working test period, or approximately three months after the employee is hired. This practice gives the supervisor an additional opportunity to provide the new employee with feedback well in advance to the end of the working test period, specifying strengths as well as areas that may need improvement.
Unclassified Staff:
Two probationary evaluations are required for UCPEA members during their 12-month probationary period. Approximately halfway through and at the end of the probationary period, each employee shall be given a written evaluation of his/her performance. The two probationary evaluations provide important opportunities during the probationary period to clarify job expectations and discuss work performance, and help to set a standard for productive communication between the supervisor and the new employee. It is also recommended that a 6-month review is given to new employees in end-date positions.