UMass HR Insider—January 2025 | Volume 3, Issue 1

Content

Workplace Learning and Development:
New Classes, New Location, and Exciting Opportunities!

Winter is still going strong, but Workplace Learning and Development (WLD) is starting the year off with big news for spring—new classes, new programs, and a new location! It's a fresh start, and they’re excited to share all the details to help you make the most of your learning opportunities in 2025. Here's what's happening:

Applications Now OPEN for Spring 2025 Leadership Academy

The Foundations of Supervision and Essentials of Management Certificate Programs are now accepting applications for spring 2025. Whether you want to step up as a supervisor or deepen your management skills, these certificate programs are a great way to advance your career. Don't miss your chance to be part of this dynamic learning experience. Apply by February 10. Learn More.

Join WLD for Their Open House on January 30

WLD has moved to a new location and invites you to celebrate with them! WLD's Open House will be held on January 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at their new home on 400 Venture Way. Drop in to explore their exciting spring offerings, meet the WLD team, and learn about the latest class updates. Prizes, snacks, and good company await! Let them know you are attending.

New Registration System: Easier Than Ever to Sign Up

WLD is excited to announce its new registration system. It's now even easier to sign up. Learn how to use the new system, then head over to the current workshops page to view the complete list of all-new spring semester classes . Whether you're a returning learner or new to their offerings, you'll find classes designed to enhance your professional development.

Conversation Confidence Series Continues

Effective communication is key to professional success, so WLD is continuing its Conversation Confidence Series this spring. This miniseries provides practical tips and strategies for navigating tricky workplace conversations, like how to give feedback, ask for something effectively, and even say no with confidence. The first session, How to Set Boundaries, will take place on January 23 from 11 a.m. to noon. Be sure to register early!

New Class: Investing Attention for a Balanced Workday

Feeling overwhelmed by your workload or constantly distracted? Investing Attention for a Balanced Workday can help you regain focus and balance. Join WLD on January 29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Campus Center, Room 805, for an interactive session on how attention works, what drains it, and how to use this precious resource more effectively throughout your day. Register today!

From professional certifications to workshops that boost your communication skills and time management, Workplace Learning and Development is here to help you thrive in 2025!

Tax Season Is Here: W-2 Wage and Tax Documents

W-2 forms are now available on HR Direct. If you haven't opted for electronic-only delivery, your W-2 will be mailed to your home. Learn more.

U.S. Social Security Fairness Act: What You Should Know

On January 5, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the U.S. Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) into law. This legislation retroactively repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) to January 1, 2024. These provisions had reduced Social Security benefits for retirees who also received public pensions from non-Social Security-covered work, including many University of Massachusetts retirees.

Key Points

• Impact on Benefits: This law addresses only federal Social Security benefits and does not affect benefits under the Massachusetts OBRA, State Employees' Retirement System (MSERS/pension defined benefit plan), or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP/defined contribution plan). There is no impact on state pensions.
• WEP and GPO Repeal: The repeal of WEP and GPO will increase Social Security benefits for many retirees, including those from the University of Massachusetts, who were previously affected by these provisions.

Next Steps for Retirees

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is working on implementing the SSFA. Retirees should monitor the SSA website for updates as the changes are rolled out.

We Are a Health Promoting University: Meditation and Yoga Retreat

Steady Heart, Quiet Mind: Mindfulness Tools for Building Positive Change

Join us for a daylong meditation and yoga retreat led by yoga teacher and author Rolf Gates. Learn mind-body techniques designed to help you achieve your goals in sustainable and healthy ways. Plus, enjoy a family-style, plant-forward meal and digital detox time!

Rolf Gates, author of the acclaimed book on yogic philosophy, Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, is one of the leading voices of modern yoga. Born in Manhattan, Rolf Gates grew up in the Boston area as an avid marathon runner, long-distance cyclist, and champion wrestler.

DATE: Saturday, February 8
TIME: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Old Chapel

Hoops, Food, and Fun! UMass Basketball Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night

Chancellor Javier Reyes and UMass Athletics are excited to invite you and a guest to our Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Wednesday, January 22, at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center, where our men’s basketball team will take on George Washington University.

To show their appreciation for all that you do, they are hosting a special reception area just for faculty and staff (and your guests!) at the south end of the court. Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while cheering on the team!

RSVP by January 17 to reserve your tickets. Once you RSVP, you’ll also receive a link to purchase additional tickets for $20 each, which includes access to the reception area. Details on how to access your event tickets will be sent soon after you register. 

Please note: Tickets are limited to 1,500, so don’t wait—RSVP today! 
Having trouble accessing the form? Please try again using your mobile device!

It’s Beneficial: The UMass Center for Early Education and Care

Did you know that the Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) provides high-quality early childhood services? Available to undergraduate and graduate student families, staff and faculty families, and families of the local community, CEEC is a nationally recognized program that offers affordable, high-quality childcare and education at UMass Amherst. Learn More.

Our People Are Here for Good!

"I love being the Director of Marketing for UMass Flex because every day brings new opportunities to innovate and connect with students in meaningful ways. I get to collaborate with an incredible team to craft campaigns that inspire and empower students to explore flexible learning options at UMass Amherst. It’s exciting to work on something so forward-thinking, but what I enjoy most is the creativity, problem-solving, and sense of purpose that comes with helping students shape their academic journeys."

— Nubian Meehan, Director of Marketing, UMass Flex

The Partnership for Worker Education: What's Happening!

Calling All UMass Employees: Share Your Artwork for National Random Acts of Kindness Day

We’d love to showcase your creativity in celebration of National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Simply complete a brief survey to upload your artwork. Please submit your images by January 17!

GIC Annual Public Information Sessions

In preparation for April 2–May 1, 2025, open enrollment, the MA Group Insurance Commission (GIC) will hold Public Information Sessions on January 28 and January 30, 2025. Attend one of the three online sessions or visit the GIC's Annual Public Information Session website  to watch a recording after the sessions, once posted.

Be sure to check your UMass email as GIC open enrollment approaches. The University and GIC will share more information as it becomes available.
 

Food Pantry Listening Sessions: Participants Needed

Would you or someone you know benefit from the Food Pantry on campus? The Amherst Survival Center wants to hear directly from you!

The Amherst Survival Center invites you to join them for a conversation about the campus food pantry. Share your thoughts with their representatives on how the pantry can best serve you, discuss experiences with food insecurity, and explore ways to ensure food gets to those in need. Your insights are invaluable as they work to enhance their services and better support our community.

UMass Employee Sessions
Thursday, January 16, 6–7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 13, 12–1:30 p.m.

Amherst Community Theater Presents Disney’s Newsies the Broadway Musical: Discounted Tickets Available

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Purchase Tickets for the January 23 Performance
UMass Amherst employees can buy up to 4 tickets for the January 23,7:30 p.m. show for a reduced price of $15.per ticket ($12 plus $3 service fee) using the code: THURS2.
Purchase Tickets
 
Do You Have a Group of Eight or More?
If you have a group of eight or more that would like to attend ANY of our performance dates, the theater can arrange a $3.00 discount per ticket for each person in your group.To purchase tickets at a group rate, please identify a group leader and have them email the theater at producer [at] amherstacts [dot] org (subject: ) (producer[at]amherstacts[dot]org).