Advancement 2023
Resources for Advancement Employees
General Support Resources
Q: During this time of transition, I need additional support. Where can I go?
A:The Employee Counseling and Consultation Office (ECCO) offers free confidential resources. Additionally, UMass offers additional legal, financial and counseling services through an outside EAP offered by GIC. For more information go to this link and use access code: Mass4You.
Q: I am struggling with all the changes that are occurring, can the University recommend some resources around managing change?
A: The Workplace Learning and Development group offers a self guided learning module about change. To learn more and take part in this learning opportunity visit this link.
Q: Where do I direct any additional questions I have?
A: Inquiries should be sent via email to: advancement2023 [at] umass [dot] edu (advancement2023[at]umass[dot]edu)
Current Employment Details
Q: Who is my supervisor as of May 1, 2023?
A: All Advancement employees will begin to report to Ann Kostek, HR Business Partner on May 1, 2023.
Q: What work am I responsible for doing for work effective May 1, 2023?
A: All university employees within the Advancement Division should only dedicate 25% of their weekly hours to advancement-related activities. For 40/hr a week employees, this would be 10 hours per week dedicated to advancement matters, and for 37.5/hr a week employees, this would be 9.25 hours per week dedicated to advancement matters. This time should be reflected on your timesheet as REG (regular, SERS eligible). The remaining portion of your week should be entered as ALT (Allowed Time), unless clearly articulated university-related work has been assigned. Employees will receive their full pay for this period of time.
For the next few weeks, we are asking that all employees use a portion of their advancement-related time to prepare documentation to describe the status of current work projects and help plan for the transition of work. More details on that effort will be forthcoming. Additional projects related to advancement will likely be assigned, but those will be within the available advancement-related hours for your week. Additional work assignments and direction will be directly communicated to you, as necessary.
Q: I had meetings scheduled with outside vendors, customers, and/ or donors, what should I do?
A: Advancement work with donors (i.e., gift processing, discussions leading to a potential gift, stewardship calls, etc.) constitutes UMAF work, and any UMass employee must limit such work to the 25% cap of work hours. If closing a gift would cause the employee to work in excess of the weekly allotted hours, then those inquiries must be directed to Ann Kostek (ann [dot] kostek [at] umass [dot] edu (ann[dot]kostek[at]umass[dot]edu)).
Q: I had prior vacation time approved during this period of notice, what should I do?
A: Any preapproved vacation request will continue to be approved. Employees are advised any time off benefits can continue to be utilized in accordance with relevant University policies and collective bargaining agreement. New requests can be directed to Ann Kostek, HR Business partner, at ann [dot] kostek [at] umass [dot] edu (ann[dot]kostek[at]umass[dot]edu).
Q: What is my responsibility related to privileged and/or confidential information that I had access to when in my role with the Advancement organization?
A: All employees who have access to privileged or confidential information in the course of work have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality.
Q: The Chancellor’s letter on May 1, 2023 stated that layoff notices would be issued. What does that mean?
A: As positions within the Advancement division will no longer exist, the layoff processes defined in the collective bargaining agreements are the mechanism by which positions are eliminated and eligible employees can find other positions via a process of claiming vacant positions or bumping into positions occupied by employees with less seniority. Employees may also apply for any open position on campus and go through the normal application process. The exact timing of normal notices of layoff has not yet been determined.
Benefits
Q: Do I need to make elections for GIC open enrollment?
A: It is recommended all employees complete their open enrollment elections before the period ends on May 3, 2023. To learn more about the annual enrollment options and to complete your elections visit this link.
Q: What happens if myself or a dependent is currently receiving tuition benefits with the University?
A: Employees can learn about any considerations and impacts to their University Tuition Waiver Benefits here.
Job Search
Q: How do I secure University employment?
A: All individuals seeking a position with the University are encouraged to express interest by way of application to any available position on the careers page.
Q: How do I find a list of available job openings at UMass?
A: Available and vacant job opportunities for faculty and staff are posted on the UMass Amherst career page.
Q: While I have explored current roles available with the University, I would like to receive notice for any positions that become available that match my career goals. Is this possible?
A: Any person interested can create a “job alert” to keep interested parties informed about new job postings that align with their customized alert.
Q: How can I check my status for a job I've applied to?
A: You can check your status by logging in to your profile and reviewing your Home Page. Click on the Login button under Returning Applicant? on the left hand side of our Career Page or click here.
Q: What resources are available to help me in a job search?
A: The Workplace Learning and Development (WLD) group offers a wide variety of training opportunities for skill development and growth opportunities. Interested employees are encouraged to visit the WLD website to identify any training opportunities of interest to them (https://www.umass.edu/wld/). Additionally, employees are encouraged to access additional training opportunities through their University sponsored LinkedIn Learning account. Access an online library of in-depth courses through this website: https://www.umass.edu/it/linkedin-learning. Employees can find training on a wide range of topics inclusive of resume writing, interviewing, and much more.
Q: How do I notify the University of my desire to obtain a new position at Umass?
A: Please email advancement2023 [at] umass [dot] edu (advancement2023[at]umass[dot]edu), to advise that you would like to be considered for Umass employment opportunities. If you have specific positions of interest, then please apply to those openings via the Umass Web-site. You must apply to be considered. Additionally, you can let us know which positions you have applied for at advancement2023 [at] umass [dot] edu.
Q: I am a non-unit employee, who should I speak to about finding another role on campus?
A: Non-unit employees who are seeking to find another position on campus should contact HR at advancement2023 [at] umass [dot] edu (advancement2023[at]umass[dot]edu). The university will work with non-unit staff to transfer into another non-unit position.
Q: I have a current work accommodation or have a question regarding a reasonable workplace accommodation. Where can I go for support with this?
A: The Accessible Workplace unit within the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) of Human Resources is responsible for administering reasonable workplace accommodations for faculty and staff through an interactive process. This process begins with employees requesting employment-related accommodations to the Accessible Workplace Office either through email accessibleworkplace [at] umass [dot] edu (accessibleworkplace[at]umass[dot]edu) or in-person, to arrange an intake meeting. Please note not all requests require an intake meeting especially if the request is straight forward and provided the employee has submitted medical documentation supporting their request.
Leaving University Employment
Q: If I am considering leaving the university, how are my benefits impacted?
A: Information on how how leaving university employment impacts your benefits can be found on HR’s “Leaving Employment” webpage.
Q: What resources does the university have if I am considering retiring from the university?
A: Information on retirement can be found on HR’s Retirement Webpage.
Q: If my supervisor is no longer with the University who can I list for employment verification?
A: Regardless of your supervisor’s status, The University of Massachusetts uses The Work Number to respond to requests for employment and income verification.
Q: I currently pay for parking, what happens with my parking pass?
A: If an employee is paying for their parking permit through payroll deductions the deductions will stop with their last paycheck. Parking Services will receive notice when no payroll deduction is taken and will subsequently deactivate the permit. If an employee has a physical permit, it is encouraged for the employee to return their permit to the Parking Services to further enable this process.
If an employee pays for their parking permit in full at the time of purchase, the parking department does require the employee return their parking permit to Parking Services so that a refund can be issued. If the permit is not returned, no refund will be issued.
Q: What will happen to my vacation time? Sick time? Personnel? Compensatory time?
A: Retiring employees:
For any USA or Non-Unit Non-Exempt employee who chooses to retire from state employment will be paid for unused vacation leave, 20% of unused sick leave and overtime compensatory time after retirement. These payments are typically issued one-to-two pay periods following your last payment for time worked.
For any PSU or Non-Unit Exempt employee who chooses to retire from state employment will be paid for unused vacation leave and 20% of unused sick leave after retirement. These payments are typically issued one-to-two pay periods following your last payment for time worked.
This payment will be the net of federal income taxes (22%) and MA state taxes (income and Paid Family Medical Leave [PFML]). You may elect to tax-defer some or all of sick/vacation payments into a University 403b or Massachusetts 457/SMART account, within IRS limits. If you wish to do this, you must make these arrangements in the calendar month prior to payment.
A: Employees leaving University employment:
For any USA or Non-Unit Non-Exempt employee who exits from employment with the University will be paid for unused vacation leave and overtime compensatory time at time of termination. For any employees voluntarily resigning from employment, these payments are typically issued one-to-two pay periods following your last payment for time worked. For any employees who involuntarily resign from employment, all wages and money owed will be paid out to employees on or before their last day of employment.
For any PSU or Non-Unit Exempt employee who chooses to exit state employment will be paid for unused vacation leave at time of termination. For any employees voluntarily resigning from employment, these payments are typically issued one-to-two pay periods following your last payment for time worked. For any employees who involuntarily resign from employment, all wages and money owed will be paid out to employees on or before their last day of employment.
Payments will be subject to all applicable tax collection requirements.
Q: How will I receive my final paycheck?
A: Employees exiting from University employment voluntarily (e.g. retirement, resignation) will receive all wages owed issued one-to-two pay periods following your last payment for time worked. Payment will be processed in the method you have arranged to receive prior paychecks, most typically though direct deposit.
Q: I need to update my address, how do I do that?
A: Employees who need to update their address can visit this HR’s Moving/Address Change webpage for more information about how to make an address change.
Q: How do I notify the University of my decision to resign from employment?
A: Please submit your notice to advancement2023 [at] umass [dot] edu, stating your final day of employment with the university. Here is a resignation template:
To Whom It May Concern,
Effective (insert date) I am resigning from employment with the University of Massachusetts.
Your name, Your contact information (please list a personal email address and/or a phone number)
Q: If I am retiring or resigning, how should I turn in university property?
A: Keys, electronic devices, phones, etc. that are university property should be turned into the HR Service Center, Whitmore Building Room 325.