January Newsletter, published 01/28/25

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.

December 23rd	Recommended Date for Employees to Turn in Time Cards for 12/13-12/26 Pay Period.
December 23rd	Early Paydate
December 24th & 25th	Campus Closure for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Click Here to Access Job Aids for Special Time Reporting Procedures.
December 27th	Pay Period Starts
December 28th	Time Card Approval Deadline 3 p.m.
December 28th - 31st	Extra Days Off for Holiday Break. Please see the email sent out by HRS Director Lori Scott Dreiling here for reporting procedures on these days.
December 31st	HealthQuest - Last Day to Earn Credits Toward Your 2021 Premium Discount of $480
January 1st	Campus Closure for New Year's Day. Click Here to Access Job Aids for Special Time Reporting Procedures.
January 8th	Pay Day
January 10th	Pay Period Starts
January 11th	Time Card Approval Deadline 3 p.m.
January 15th	State of Kansas Women's Forum. Click here to register!
January 18th	Campus Closure for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Click Here to Access Job Aids for Special Time Reporting Procedures.
January 21st	Schedule a meeting with TIAA Representative Jay Albrecht. Click here for more details!
January 22nd	Pay Day
January 24th	Pay Period Starts
January 25th	Time Card Approval Deadline 3 p.m.

All HR services are available remotely. From Monday, November 23 to Friday, January 15, the Human Resource Services office will have limited on-site services available from 8am-12pm and from 1pm-5pm and are by appointment only. Employees are encouraged to email payroll@pittstate.edu for assistance.

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

If any employee feels that they maybe eligible for COVID Leave because they are experiencing symptoms, getting tested, or have been identified as a Close Contact, please fill out the form at the link below. For questions please email payroll@pittstate.edu and someone will assist you as soon as possible.

Employee COVID-19 Reporting Form

This year both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are considered paid holidays by the state of Kansas. Click Here to Access Job Aids for Special Time Reporting Procedures.

It is highly encouraged by Human Resource Services that employees submit their time cards for the 12/13-12/26/2020 pay period by December 23rd, 2020 in order avoid any late payments due to missing the time card approval deadline at 3:00 P.M. on December 28th, 2020.

In addition Pittsburg State University has allotted time off for all non-essential personnel from Monday December 28th through Thursday December 31st as campus will be closed during this time. Please see the email sent out by HRS Director Lori Scott Dreiling here for reporting procedures on these days.

Lastly, Friday January 1st, 2021 is recognized as a paid holiday by the state of Kansas. Click Here to Access Job Aids for Special Time Reporting Procedures.

Due to COVID-19 more and more employees are finding themselves working in a remote environment. Review the following links below with some helpful hints to help you do this successfully!

Leading Remotely

Managing Remote Workers

10 Tips for Working Remotely During Coronavirus

Rethinking Work and Thinking About the 'Next Normal'

KDHE and the Crawford County Health Department have mobilized a drive-up COVID-19 testing service. Operated by Well Health Management LLC, the testing will be available 9am - 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, through December 31st, 2020 on the parking lot of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts (1711 South Homer Street).

More information and the link to schedule a testing appointment available Here.

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

This week the State of Kansas honored employees who have been employed with the state of Kansas for 40 and 50 years. Pittsburg State University is proud to recognize two employees who have received that honor, Susan Marchant and David Lomshek. Congratulations! 

Here is the video of this recognition from the Governor's Office. Their recognitions can be viewed around the 11 minute mark of this video!

It's that time of year again. The time of year where there is not shortage of great food made available to us! Click here for good mindful eating practices this holiday season.

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 Kasas Department of Administration has released the 2021 State Employee Health Plan Program Preferred Drug List (Formulary). For more information click 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 Representative Jay Albrecht will be available to virtually meet with employees on January 21st, 2021. To schdule an appointment plese Click Here.

Click Here to see the updated TIAA Kansas Board of Regents Voluntary Retirement Plans changes.

The last day to earn credits toward your 2021 premium discount of $480 is December 31st, 2020. For more information on important deadlines and Healthquest in general please Click Here to view the December 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 • 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

For more information on the State of Kansas Holiday Resources EAP click here.