February Newsletter, published 01/29/25

The Human Resource Services (HRS) newsletter will be housed on the HRS web page on the pittstate.edu website. If you have questions or need assistance with any of the information in the newsletter, with most of the office working remotely the easiest way to reach us is to send an email to payroll@pittstate.edu.

February 5th	Pay Day
February 7th	Pay Period Starts
February 8th	Time Card Approval Deadline 3 p.m.
February 8th	On Campus Biometric Screening 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
February 16th,17th, and 18th	February TIAA Webinars. Click here for more information.
February 19th	Pay Day
February 21st	Pay Period Starts
February 22nd	Time Card Approval Deadline 3 p.m.

All HR services are available remotely. Human Resource Services office will have limited on-site services available from 8am-12pm and from 1pm-5pm, Monday through Friday. Appointments are accepted with individual HR team members as well. Employees are encouraged to email payroll@pittstate.edu for assistance.

As of 1/1/2021, Pittsburg State University will no longer be issuing out COVID Leave. Employees will have to report accrued leave as they would for any other sickness when missing time from work. This is due to the failure by Congress to extend the Families First Coronavirus Response Act past the 12/31/2020 deadline.

 

If any employee feels that they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, getting tested, or have been identified as a Close Contact, please fill out the form at the link below. There is a possibility that Congress could allow retroactive payments to employees who missed time dating back to 1/1/2021 so we should have something on file in case this happens. For questions please email payroll@pittstate.edu and someone will assist you as soon as possible.

Employee COVID-19 Reporting Form

Employees who receive multiple W-2's from PSU should refer to this IRS Notice for more information. Consult your tax advisor if further clarification is required.

2020 W-2's are now available digitally through the Kanas Department of Administration Employee Self-Service Portal. Instructions on how to access your W-2 can be found here!

**Important Update: Employees who had fraudulent unemployment claims made under their name in 2020 may receive a 1099-G for tax year 2020 from the State of Kansas. Click Here to view a memo from the State of Kansas. For procedures on what to do if you receive a 1099-G sent from the State of Kansas click here.**

Fraudulent UI claims have been on the rise nationwide. Please refer to guidance put out on the HRS website here to help safeguard your identity.

For any questions or concerns, please email payroll@pittstate.edu

Please remember to keep your beneficiaries up to date! 

For employees under KPERS you may view your retirement and life insurance beneficiaries on the KPERS website at KPERS Login.

 

For the KPERS Voluntary plan you may view your beneficiearies at KPERS 457 Voluntary Login

For employees under KBOR you may request to view your current beneficiaries by contacting the HRS office by phone at 620-235-4191 or by emailing payroll@pittstate.edu.

HSA beneficiary information can be viewed by logging into the HSA portal at https://stateofkansas.wealthcareportal.com/Page/Homekansascda.com

Please remember to terminate any student employees that will not be returning for work during the Spring 2021 semester.

Kansas Secretary Burns-Wallace has sent out information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for State of Kansas employees. Click here for more information.

The State of Kansas has issued out a notice that employees are receiving an unusually high volume of SMS Phishing Scams. Many employees have received fraudulent text messages trying to collect their personal information. Stay informed and click here to report fradulent attempts at gathering your information.

The 2021 Kansas Board of Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan Comparison Chart is now available and can be viewed here!

Please review this special notice regarding 403b retirement plan contributions by clicking here.

Employees interested in enrolling in KPERS 457 may click here for more information. You will need an enrollment code to sign up which will be provided here. This code expires on February 21st, 2021.

TIAA will be holding five webinars in February 2021. The dates and times of these webinars will be listed below. Please click here for more information and to sign up!

Money at Work 1: Foundations of Investing - February 16th at 2 p.m.
Lifetime Income: Market Proof of Your Retirement - February 17th at 11 a.m.
Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt - February 17th at 2 p.m.
Tomorrow in Focus: Saving for Your Ideal Retirement - February 18th at 11 a.m.
Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) - February 18th at 2 p.m.
 

There is a new saving campaign coming for America Saves Week! Click here for more information.

For more information on important dates and HealthQuest in general please Click Here to view the January HealthQuest Newsletter.

2021 HealthQuest Biometric Screenings will be available for sign up in the HQ portal. These have been scheduled for the following dates in the Governors Room: • February 8th 7-11 a.m. • April 21st • August 31st • September 1st • October 21st

HealthQuest Portal

Plan With Ease is tightening it's security protocols. PSU employees may receive a letter in the mail with a PIN to help make their information more secure. Please review the updated login procedures laid out in the following email from PWE.

PWE New Login Instructions

Welcome to 2021!  It was an awesome sight to see students and faculty back on campus last week.  This month’s newsletter is full of good information for the new year – start earning your HealthQuest points early this year for a reduction in your premium for 2022.  I received a flyer in the mail at my home yesterday with details on how you can gain your points. Take some time to read it!  Premium reduction is an amazing benefit so take advantage of it and get those points out of the way early in the year!  

Also, it is tax time again.  A link to how you can receive your W-2 electronically is listed above.  

The Human Resources team continues to track our employee (including student employees) COVID-19 related absences, quarantines, and isolations.  Even if you are able to work from home, please remember to fill out the electronic COVID-19 notification form (again, the link is above). 

We have an HR team member in the office each day but if you need to meet with one of us, we are always available for individual appointments, either in person or on Teams or Zoom.  

Have a great semester Gorillas! Welcome back!