Human Resources and Payroll

SPOTLIGHT ON MASON

Updated November 2, 2009

Be a Flu Fighter! Faculty/Staff Seasonal Flu Shots

Seasonal flu shots for faculty and staff are available at no cost or low cost this season. Details and the schedule. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 3-2600 and ask for the Benefits Team. See the Office of Environmental Health & Safety's http://respond.gmu.edu for the latest information on H1N1 vaccine availability.

Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Guide for Parents

Updated October 12, 2009

Updated Guidance on the Governor's Furlough Plan

Some additional guidance from the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) regarding the Governor's furlough plan.

Posted September 21, 2009

Governor's Budget Reduction

Statement on the Governor's budget reduction plan.

Updated September 14, 2009

2009 Member Benefit Profiles are Available

Enrolled in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)? Your annual benefit statement, the Member Benefit Profile (MBP) is now available at myVRS. If you have any questions regarding your MBP or accessing it online, please call 3.2600 and ask to speak with a member of the Benefits team. Or you can email benefits@gmu.edu. In addition to viewing your MBP, at myVRS, you can:

• View your member information, including service credit and compensation reported to VRS by Mason.
• Check the status of an application for retirement, purchase of prior service or refund.
• Estimate your retirement benefit using current information.
• View and update your personal contact information online.

Posted August 29, 2009

Budget FAQs are Available

As discussed at the Town Hall meeting held earlier this month, budget FAQs are now available.

Posted July 30, 2009

Helpful Financial Information: Q2 Market Commentary from CAPTrust Financial Advisors

A second quarter market commentary is available from the CAPTrust, financial advisors to Mason's Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) and Cash Match Program. For additional financial resources, please visit the work/life financial page.

For a detailed list of the awards, please go to http://hr.gmu.edu/awards. Please send completed nominations to Reward and Recognition at mailstop 3C3. If you have any questions, please contact 3-2739.

Posted April 29, 2009

9-Month Faculty and 409A

We have compiled a Q & A to assist you as you consider whether to change how you are being paid as a 9-month faculty member in light of IRS 409A regulations. If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources & Payroll Customer Service Center at 703-993-2600.

Posted March 13, 2009

Tax Withholding Table Changes

The IRS has issued new income tax withholding tables to implement the Making Work Pay Credit portion of the economic stimulus package. These withholding tables have been installed in the Banner HR/Payroll system, so you may notice a change in your Federal tax withholding. As always, you should review your tax situation and, if necessary, adjust your tax filing status as needed. You can make changes to your Federal W-4 through employee self service on PatriotWeb. You can read more about it in a recent American Payroll Association newsletter.

Posted January 6, 2009

"Passion for Mason" Award

Do you have an employee who shows a "Passion for Mason?" Reward them with a Mason t-shirt. Please send a brief description of why the employee should receive this award along with the G number, name of the employee, and t-shirt size to the Reward and Recognition Office at awards@gmu.edu.

Posted 12.09.2008

Slam Dunk Award

For those employees who have made a real "slam dunk", reward them with a $5.00 coupon book to Dunkin Donuts. Please send a brief description of why the employee should receive this award along with the G number and name of the employee to the Reward and Recognition Office at awards@gmu.edu. For more information please call 3-2739.

Posted 11.21.2008

HR/Payroll Customer Service Survey

Customer service is one of our primary objectives here in HR/Payroll. In preparation for Mason's SACS reaccreditation, we are trying to measure customer service satisfaction so we can serve you even better. Please assist us by filling out our Customer Service Survey. Any additional feedback is welcome. Please contact Meena Rajan with any additional comments.

Updated March 5, 2008

Retirement tax-savings limits...

• Participants under age 50 can contribute up to $16,500 in the Supplemental Retirement Plan (403(b) program and the Virginia Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) (457(b)).
• Participants age 50 and over can contribute an additional $5,500 to each plan (for a total of $22,000 in each plan)

posted 10.07.2008

You "Spice Up Our Life" Award

Do you have an employee who "spices up your life"? Give a gift that everyone will appreciate - a hot, delicious Domino's Pizza and a refreshing bottle of Coke! Domino's Pizza & Coke certificates are good for a large one-topping pizza and a 2-liter bottle of Coke. Please send a brief description of why the employee should receive this award along with the G number and name of the employee to the Reward and Recognition Coordinator at awards@gmu.edu.

posted 09.18.2008

Financial Volatility

The recent financial press is full of news that may cause concern and stress. During these tumultuous times, the best thing to be is an informed consumer. Your investment vendor may have information on current financial conditions on its website. For example, both TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments have commentary available.

To further address your individual concerns about your personal portfolio, you may want to schedule time to review your portfolio with your vendor. TIAA-CREF and Fidelity are regularly on campus providing one-on-one financial counseling. Please see the Human Resources & Payroll Benefits website for information on scheduling an appointment.

If you have funds invested with other firms, you may want to contact your vendor(s) to obtain the latest available information. The Benefits website has contact information and weblinks for all of our Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) vendors.

If you are experiencing undue hardship or stress, please remember that you have resources available to assist you. Information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Value Options is available including phone numbers and websites. Helpful financial services information is also available on the Employee Relations website and the Work/Life website. To speak to a member of the Employee Relations team, please call our Customer Service Center at (703) 993-2600, Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.

posted 03.27.2008

A New Coaching Resource

The HR & Payroll Employee Relations Team is offering a Coaching Corner ... timely information on how supervisors can maintain positive relationships within their office, constructively address and manage conflict, improve morale, master motivation and more. Look for coaching tips regularly in eFiles and check out the Employee Relations webpage for additional helpful information and resources.

posted 01.31.07

Volunteers Welcome!

Mason Links is a growing Education Program for Mason Workers drawing on the resources and volunteer efforts of the entire Mason Community. Volunteer opportunities are available right away. If you have a couple of hours a week; you can make a big difference at Mason.

(Can't find something you remember seeing in this space? Check out recent announcements)

Mason is a proud member of