UMass HR Insider—November 2024 | Volume 2, Issue 11
Content
UMass Amherst Minutemen Marching Band to Perform in 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The UMass Minutemen Marching Band has been selected to perform in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Each year, a select group of high school and university bands from across the country are chosen to join the parade lineup, showcasing a diverse range of musical talent and energy. This prestigious opportunity marks their second appearance in the iconic parade, with their first performance taking place in 2013.
To say that a lot of hard work and preparation goes into making a performance like this one happen would be an understatement. The band’s success is driven by the dedication of over 400 student band and dance team members, along with a dedicated staff who practice four days a week with unwavering focus. Their hard work, dedication, and team spirit are sure to shine through when they take to the streets of New York City.
Don't miss the excitement! Tune in to NBC on Thanksgiving Day.
Transition of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access to the Office of Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA), which was a part of Human Resources, has moved under the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI). Most EOA operations will remain the same; however, the Accessible Workplace Unit will remain within Human Resources. You can continue to access information and forms related to workplace accommodations here on the Human Resources website.
EOA will continue investigating complaints related to the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence, as well as investigating Title IX complaints and providing Title IX reporting mechanisms and resources. EOA will also continue to provide consultation and training to the campus. These functions will remain unaffected by the office transition.
OEI will continue to focus on broader initiatives, including campus climate assessment and reporting, DEI education and development, programming, and strategic inclusive engagement. These efforts will remain central to OEI’s mission to foster an equitable and inclusive campus community.
Leadership and staffing in both offices will remain unchanged.
Academic Personnel Has a New Look!
Academic Personnel is now Academic Human Resources, an independent unit led by Associate Provost Michael Eagen. With its own web presence, Academic HR will offer access to tailored resources for faculty, librarians, graduate assistants, and academic employees. This change also strengthens collaboration with campus HR, enabling joint communications and streamlined support. Stay tuned for more!
Important Change for Employees Regarding Your Title IX Reporting Obligations
Most UMass employees have new Title IX reporting responsibilities due to legislation effective August 1, 2024. It is important to understand that all employees, except confidential employees, are now considered “responsible employees,” meaning they are legally required to report known or possible Title IX violations to the university. Title IX violations include sexual harassment; sexual violence or assault; relationship violence; stalking; discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, or pregnancy; and retaliation.
Confidential employees are not required to report Title IX violations to the university because they are bound by statutory privilege or confidentiality obligations under Massachusetts or federal law when functioning within the scope of that privilege or confidentiality. For a complete list of confidential offices and job categories, see “Who is Considered a Confidential Employee?”
The “Responding to Disclosure: Guide for Responsible Employees” PDF was created to help employees understand Title IX reporting responsibility and explain the steps to take if you become aware of an incident or possible incident. For additional information, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access website or email titleixcoordinator [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (titleixcoordinator[at]umass[dot]edu).
New Voluntary Gender Identity Identification Now Available on HR Direct
We are pleased to announce that starting today, employees can voluntarily identify their gender identitythrough the HR Direct self-service portal. This new option is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.
The option to voluntarily self-identify gender identity will be offered in hiring packets for all new employees moving forward. As with pronouns and sex, gender identity in SPIRE may differ from what is recorded in HR Direct, as that data is not passed between the two systems. Individuals can choose to identify differently in each system if they wish.
Please note that the submission of gender identity is completely voluntary. Our goal is to create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole self to work.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the HR team. Thank you for your continued support in making our workplace more inclusive for everyone.
Stress Less. Get the Calm App at No Cost to You
We are excited to announce that GIC-eligible UMass Amherst employees now have free access to the Calm app, a leading resource for mental well-being, via the Mass4You program. Calm offers guided meditation, sleep stories, and mindfulness exercises, helping to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance sleep quality. By integrating these tools into your daily routine, you can cultivate a greater sense of balance and resilience at work and in your personal life.
Our People Are Here for Good!
“In my job, I get to collaborate with the amazing people who work at the university. Staff are here at all hours of the day, come from all walks of life, from all over the world, and have their own hopes and aspirations for the future. They are also family members, valued community leaders, artists, and volunteers. Our office invites workers to be their whole selves, creates meaningful learning opportunities, and promotes career growth on campus. All while building community. I love my job because our work has a tangible impact on our campus and across the commonwealth.”
Jacob Carter
Director, Partnership for Worker Education
Our Common Ground Worker Artist Exhibition: Closing Reception
Don't miss the closing reception for the Our Common Ground Worker Artist Exhibition on Thursday, December 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Science and Engineering Library, Lederle Graduate Research Center (LGRC Lowrise). Presented by the Partnership for Worker Education and the Building Bridges Public Art and Engagement Initiative.
Workplace Learning and Development
Learn and Grow at UMass: Expand Your Knowledge and Skills for Greater Work Success!
Microlearning Certificate
Complete at least 20 hours of learning between September 2024–June 2025 and receive the Workplace Learning and Development (WLD) Microlearning Certificate! All employees (remote, hybrid, and in-person) can participate. You must log your attendance and participation by June 13, 2025, via the Microlearning Tracking Form. Hours can be earned via the following:
- Attend a workshop (45-minute to three-hour-long workshops qualify; anything longer does not)
- Complete a WLD Canvas course (qualifies as one hour of training time)
- Complete LinkedIn Learning courses (each completed course must be at least 30 minutes in length)
- Complete a Self-Guided Learning module (qualifies as one hour of training time)
The Partnership for Worker Education
Explore Canva Features to Unlock Your Creativity
Canva is a powerful online design tool for both beginners and professionals. This one-hour workshop will highlight key features that make Canva an indispensable tool for many UMass staff members, including its user-friendly interface, extensive template library, rich media library, custom fonts, text effects, brand kit, and video editing capabilities.
Classes: December 5 at 10:00 a.m. and December 12 at 1:00 p.m. Learn more.
No Insurance Premium Deductions Scheduled for the December 6, 2024 Pay Date
Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) and Post-Doctoral health insurance & Non-Unit Dental insurance premiums are not deducted from the third pay period of the month. As a result, the December 6, 2024 pay statement (for the third pay period ending in November) will not reflect these premium deductions.
This is a regular withholding cycle and does not reflect any change to insurance enrollment or coverage.
Career Opportunities—Tell a Friend!
Clerk V (EEO Intake Coordinator)
This position coordinates the Equal Opportunity Office’s reporting and complaint intake function by conducting intake and assessment into discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, ADA compliance matters, and Title IX sexual harassment reports and/or complaints submitted by university students and employees.