HR News

Higher Education Customer Service Appreciation Week

Higher Education Customer Service Appreciation Week At Mason, we understand that our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are the heart of our institution. It is the exceptional service and dedication of our university faculty and staff that help us create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. To express our…

Crucial Conversations Workshop: Mastering Dialogue

Crucial Conversations Workshop: Mastering Dialogue Thu, June 15 (9 p.m. – 4 p.m.) through Fri, June 16* Merten Hall 1203 (Fairfax campus) Whenever you’re not getting the results you want, it’s likely an important conversation either hasn’t happened or hasn’t been handled well. In fact, both personal and…

Recruitment Updates to PeopleAdmin and Banner

Recruitment Updates to PeopleAdmin and Banner It is important to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is maintained in Banner and PeopleAdmin. Central HR’s Talent Acquisition team requests that all search committee chairs work with their search committee coordinators/liaisons to update all applicants in their applicant pools by close of business…

VRS Deferred Compensation Plan Seminars

VRS Deferred Compensation Plan Seminars MissionSquare is offering a wide range of educational webinars about the VRS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Details can be found below. Overview of the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and Cash Match Plan View upcoming dates and register Understanding Your Investment Options View upcoming…

May 15 Deadline for Retirement Fund Lineup and Open Enrollment Changes

May 15 Deadline for Retirement Fund Lineup and Open Enrollment Changes Please be advised that May 15, 2023 is the final day to make changes to your retirement fund lineup (by 4 p.m.) and health plan (by 11:59 p.m.). As a reminder, Mason recently announced a number of enhancements to…

Patriot Packout Spring Sustainability Initiative

Patriot Packout Spring Sustainability Initiative Patriot Packout, George Mason University’s annual sustainable move-out initiative, is scheduled from May 5 – May 22! Each year, Patriot Packout volunteers collect like-new and gently-used donations at the Fairfax campus, the SciTech campus, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. These donations support the Patriot Pantry,…

Faculty/Staff Engagement Summer Workshop Opportunities

Faculty/Staff Engagement Summer Workshop Opportunities Faculty and staff engagement is an endeavor that requires daily focus and dedicated time to developing connection, appreciation, and trust. To determine the areas in which would be best suited to focus your engagement efforts, HR’s Faculty and Staff Engagement Team encourages you to access…

Lunch and Learn: Building a Culture of Belonging in the Workplace

Lunch and Learn: Building a Culture of Belonging in the Workplace Did you know that the American workforce ranks the need to belong at work as second only to the need to belong at home? Join the Organizational Development and Learning team for a virtual workshop where we’ll discuss the…

Deadline Extended: Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship

Deadline Extended: Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship The application deadline for the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship has been extended to Monday, June 12 at midnight. As a reminder, all faculty and classified staff enrolled in a Mason degree or graduate certificate program are eligible to apply for this $250 award. For more information,…

Reminder for Classified Staff to Renew Telework Agreements Expiring in July

HR News Reminder for Classified Staff to Renew Telework Agreements Expiring in July As a reminder, classified staff whose Standard Telework Agreements expire in July 2023 must renew their form if they plan to continue teleworking. To check the expiration date of your current form, log into Dynamic Forms. On…

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month

HR News Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month Pride Month is an annual observance held in June to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities) community. It’s a time for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies to come together, raise awareness, promote…

New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop on August 12

New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop on August 12 Saturday, August 12, 2023 9:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. ET Virtual The upcoming New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop will be held virtually on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Attending the workshop helps new adjunct faculty transition into their roles at…

Queer Lunch Series for Faculty and Staff

HR News Queer Lunch Series for Faculty and Staff In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance, Michael Rybak (he/they) and TJ Pegg (he/him) from Student Success Coaching in University Life would like to invite you to a succession of programming we are calling the Queer Lunch Series. Throughout the entirety…

Celebrating Juneteenth: History and Local Events

HR News Celebrating Juneteenth: History and Local Events Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is celebrated annually on June 19. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the day Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the end of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation…

Adult Incapacitated Dependent (AID) Special Enrollment

Adult Incapacitated Dependent (AID) Special Enrollment The State Health Benefits Program covers eligible adult dependents until the end of the year in which they turn 26. Adult dependents who are incapacitated may remain covered if they meet certain eligibility criteria. Effective July 1, 2023, Section 2.2-2818 of the Code of…

Overtime Leave Election Deadline

HR News Overtime Leave Election Deadline From now until September 1, 2023, all non-exempt employees (i.e., employees eligible for compensation for any time worked over 40 hours in a week) can choose how they want to receive overtime compensation. Overtime eligible employees can choose to receive overtime compensation in one…

Grand Opening Event: Mason Pickleball Courts (Rescheduled)

Grand Opening Event: Mason Pickleball Courts (Rescheduled) Mason Recreation is excited to announce the grand opening of Mason’s pickleball courts on Tuesday, July 18! All are welcome to attend. The event begins at 12 p.m. and will include learn-to-play sessions, drills, and open play until 9:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony…

WeightWatchers (WW) July Newsletter

WeightWatchers (WW) July Newsletter Read the July newsletter from WW to learn more about how to stay on track while eating out, plus get the recipe of the month: grilled corn with smoked paprika lime butter. All benefit-eligible employees, spouses, and adult dependents get an exclusive discount of 50 percent off…

Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid Training Student Health Services and the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being are pleased to offer Mental Health First Aid training at no cost to members of the Mason community (faculty, staff, and students). With the high prevalence of mental health concerns, it is important to…

Lunch and Learn Series: Positive Leadership

Lunch and Learn Series: Positive Leadership Join the Organizational Development and Learning team for a “lunch and learn” workshop where we’ll unpack Kim Cameron’s positive leadership tools-research and industry-leading practices for fostering resilient and productive, wellbeing-focused teams across Mason! Contact the Organizational Development and Learning team at hrlearn@gmu.edu with questions. …

August is National Make-A-Will Month

August is National Make-A-Will Month August Is National Make-A-Will Month. This is a great annual reminder to update your will if needed or create your will if you don’t have one already. Did you know that 56 percent of Americans either don’t have an estate plan or have one that needs…

Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service

Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service This year’s Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service will be held on Monday, September 11. A variety of service projects are available for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to choose from. Registration is now open! Human Resources has approved the 9/11 Day…

VSEAF International Day of Charity Virtual Event

VSEAF International Day of Charity Virtual Event The Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund (VSEAF) provides grants to eligible state employees suffering from a financial crisis as a result of an unplanned emergency or other event that impacts the employee or family members residing with the employee. Grants are funded by…

Manager Meetup Virtual Event

Manager Meetup Virtual Event Join the Supervision Collective on Thursday, September 14 from 2 – 3 p.m. for a virtual discussion on intentional conversations and transparent supervision. In particular, the group will explore excerpts from the book Supervision Matters. To RSVP, email Kim Dao at ddao7@gmu.edu. Sponsored by University Life.

MissionSquare Retirement Seminars on September 5

MissionSquare Retirement Seminars on September 5 MissionSquare is hosting its quarterly regional retirement seminars and individual counseling appointments on Tuesday, September 5. Check out the details below! September 5 Topic: Hybrid Retirement Plan: Features and Benefits Time: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. EDT Description: What is the hybrid plan? What’s the…

Fall Flu Shot Clinics at Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech

Fall Flu Shot Clinics at Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech Stay healthy and protect your community this flu season with the convenience of our on-campus flu shot clinics. Let’s keep our campus safe and thriving-by getting vaccinated, you’re contributing to a healthier Mason community! Sign up below to receive your…

Well-Being Wednesday + Happy Heart Walk

Well-Being Wednesday Event on September 27 Dedicate some time to nourish your well-being! Join the Faculty and Staff Engagement Team on September 27 for Well-Being Wednesday. Virtual and in-person options are available at the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Sci-Tech campuses. Register today! Overview of Events Virtual Mindfulness Meditation 📍 Zoom…

Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day 2023 Recap

HR News Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day 2023 Recap This year’s Take Your Junior Patriot to Work event was a huge success! On April 27, Mason’s campuses came together to feature a variety of fun activities for faculty, staff, and their families. Junior Patriots had the opportunity to participate…

Performance Management and Evaluation Trainings

HR News Performance Management and Evaluation Training Our performance management training programs have been updated to more closely align with new processes. We now offer: A program for those who are new to Mason and want to learn about A/P faculty and classified staff evaluation processes Supervisor training on state…

SCARF Model Workshop: Understanding Change (9/26)

SCARF Model Workshop: Understanding Change (9/26) 🗓️ Tuesday, September 26 ⏱️ 2:00 – 3:30 pm 📍 Merten Hall 1202 Understanding Change Using the SCARF Model David Rock’s SCARF® model is based in neuroscience and details five social factors that affect how individuals feel and behave within a team. This course…

Religious Holidays and Inclusive Scheduling

HR News Religious Holidays and Inclusive Scheduling As part of Mason’s commitment to inclusive excellence, please be sure to consult University Life’s Religious Holiday Calendar when scheduling important activities. Please use this resource to avoid scheduling events, meetings, or major deadlines on religious holidays observed by individuals across our campuses.…

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day is October 25!

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day is October 25! Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day will be held on Wednesday, October 25 in the Johnson Center! This year’s theme is Mapping Your Future: Discovering Mason’s Treasure. What is Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day? Each year, Mason designates a Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day (FSED) for the purpose of bringing…

Mason Nation 5K: Faculty/Staff Team Challenge

Mason Nation 5K: Faculty/Staff Team Challenge Join us for the Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K Faculty/Staff Team Challenge! Gather your colleagues and create teams of four to participate in this challenge. This exciting event is not just about wellness; it’s about building camaraderie and enjoying time together. To Participate…

Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K

HR News Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K Registration is now open for the third annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K! Join us on Mason’s Fairfax campus on Saturday, October 14 as we celebrate well-being and support our students. We hope you’ll join us and share this opportunity with your family,…

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month This National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the diverse cultures and histories of Hispanic/Latine Americans. From September 15 to October 15, this annual observance invites us to explore the traditions, stories, and achievements that have enriched our nation. The observance of National Hispanic Heritage Week was first…

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Deadlines

HR News Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Deadlines If you have a Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, please be aware of the following deadlines: Incur your eligible expenses by June 30, 2023, in order to be reimbursed for the 2022-2023 plan year. Submit your claims or verify your outstanding card…

Certified Applicant Pool Training

Certified Applicant Pool Training To support Mason’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, HR’s Talent Acquisition team is now offering training on how to certify the diversity of applicant pools in job searches. This training will encourage a more proactive recruitment approach by assessing diversity within the applicant pool prior…

Workplace Appreciation Trainings

Workplace Appreciation Trainings Based on the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” this training aims to help Mason faculty and staff, including supervisors and non-supervisors, discover strategies for assessment and practical application of genuine workplace appreciation. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in conversation surrounding the…

Lunch and Learn: Positive Leadership (9/21)

Positive Leadership Lunch and Learn (9/21) 🗓️ Thursday, September 21 ⏱️ 2:05 – 2:55 pm 📍 Merten Hall 1202 Join the Organizational Development and Learning team for a “lunch and learn” workshop where we’ll unpack Kim Cameron’s positive leadership tools-research and industry-leading practices for fostering resilient and productive, wellbeing-focused teams…

Student Loan Repayment Information Session for Faculty and Staff (9/22)

Student Loan Repayment Information Session for Faculty and Staff (9/22) 🗓️ Friday, September 22 ⏱️ 12 p.m. ET 📍 Merten Hall 2001 (Zoom option available) Do you currently have student loans that are about to go back into repayment? Are you prepared to begin repayments in October? Do you…

Telework and Dependent Care Reminder

Telework and Dependent Care Reminder As a friendly reminder, Mason’s flexible work policy requires that employees make dependent care arrangements to permit focus on work assignments while teleworking. Teleworking employees should not be acting as the primary caregivers for dependents during their agreed-upon work hours. If you have questions on…

Mason Talent Temps

Mason Talent Temps Did you know Mason offers an in-house temporary employment service? The Talent Acquisition team maintains an applicant pool to assist hiring managers in filling temporary short- and long-term vacancies and to aid job applicants seeking temporary employment. Mason Talent Temps provides temporary staffing coverage for various needs…

EPAF Training Opportunity

EPAF Training Opportunity A general EPAF training session will be offered in-person on Wednesday, September 27 from 1 – 3 p.m. in Merten Hall (Fairfax). New EPAF submitters who would like to take advantage of this opportunity can register in MasonLEAPS. If you have questions, please reach out to Chris…

Mason Now Campaign Launch Celebration

Mason Now Campaign Launch Celebration The Mason community is celebrating the launch of the biggest, boldest campaign in the university’s history. Please join us at a faculty and staff reception to celebrate the launch of Mason Now and to learn more about this historic campaign. When: Thursday, September 28, 4-6…

Compressed Schedules and the Holidays

Compressed Schedules and the Holidays If you use the compressed schedule work option, please be aware of the upcoming holiday. For the holiday, full-time employees with compressed schedules receive eight (8) hours of holiday pay and/or compensatory leave per day, depending on the situation, regardless of their compressed schedule hours. There…

Improvements to the Impact Award Nomination Process

Improvements to the Impact Award Nomination Process The process for submitting employee Impact Awards has moved from a PDF to Dynamic Forms! This change will streamline the approval process and allow multiple employees to be nominated on one form. Impact Awards are designed to acknowledge admin/professional faculty, classified staff, and…

Fall Retirement Counseling Sessions with TIAA + Fidelity

Fall Retirement Counseling Sessions with TIAA + Fidelity TIAA and Fidelity visit Mason for virtual and on-campus individual consultations with members and non-members of the TIAA Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) (faculty only) or 403(b) Plans. Consultants can address specific concerns, review your investment strategy and portfolio allocation, and discuss retirement…

Pats for Patriots: Celebrating Kindness and Bringing Gratitude to Work

Pats for Patriots: Celebrating Kindness and Bringing Gratitude to Work At the start of a semester and throughout the busy academic year, it’s easy to overlook the simple yet profound acts of kindness that brighten our days. The workplace, often a hub of activity and collaboration, is the perfect setting…

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day: Call for Workshop Proposals

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day: Call for Workshop Proposals The call for proposals closed on August 18, 2023. Human Resources’ Organizational Development and Learning (ODL) Team is excited to announce the upcoming Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 25! This year’s theme, “Mapping Your Future: Discovering Mason’s Treasure,” will…

ProjectConnect Fall Groups for Faculty and Staff

ProjectConnect Fall Groups for Faculty and Staff What is ProjectConnect? ProjectConnect is a social well-being opportunity that helps Mason faculty and staff get to know each other and build a stronger campus community. Participants will meet in groups of 4-6 people over the course of six 1-hour sessions and engage in…

Sign Up for VRS Member News

Sign Up for VRS Member News Stay updated on the latest announcements from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). This newsletter is published quarterly and includes information about upcoming deadlines, webinars, and policy changes. Sign up at the VRS website.

Recognition and Appreciation Toolkit

Recognition and Appreciation Toolkit As part of our comprehensive recognition program, a refreshed Recognition and Appreciation Toolkit is available to all Mason employees. The revamped toolkit includes: Tips for celebrating an employee using their workplace appreciation language; Virtual appreciation tools, including Pats for Patriots, printable cards, e-cards, and virtual backgrounds…

Compensatory Leave Reminder

Compensatory Leave Reminder Have you earned compensatory leave? Make sure you’re aware of the compensatory leave limits and expirations: Employees are limited to 96 hours of accrued compensatory leave. Per State Policy 3.10, accrued compensatory leave expires one year from the pay period in which the hours are accrued, regardless of…

Upcoming Changes to Form I-9

Changes to Form I-9 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new Form I-9. Human Resources will have more information in the coming weeks on how this change will affect Mason’s onboarding procedures. Please email hr@gmu.edu with any questions.

Certified Applicant Pool Training: Fall 2023 Schedule

Certified Applicant Pool Training: Fall 2023 Schedule To support Mason’s commitment to inclusive excellence, Talent Acquisition’s Outreach and Compliance Team offers training on how to certify the diversity of job applicants. Certified Applicant Pool (CAP) training will be offered throughout the fall semester beginning August 24, 2023. This training is designed…

Register for CommonHealth Wednesday Wellnotes

Register for CommonHealth Wednesday Wellnotes Want a mid-week pick-me-up? Sign up for CommonHealth’s Wednesday Wellnotes. To learn more about CommonHealth, visit them at their website.

Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund

Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund The Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund (VSEAF) provides grants to eligible state employees suffering from a financial crisis as a result of an unplanned emergency or other event that impacts the employee or family members residing with the employee. The VSEAF is a recognized 501c(3)…

Recharge Seminar Recap: Exploring the 7 Types of Rest

HR News Recharge Seminar Recap: Exploring the 7 Types of Rest CommonHealth, Virginia’s employee wellness program, recently presented their Recharge campaign, where viewers were introduced to 7 types of rest. The session recording is now available in addition to the recap below. The Importance of Rest for Employee Well-Being…

State Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reporting

HR News State Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reporting The State Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline provides the opportunity for citizens and state employees to anonymously report suspected incidents of fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption that may have occurred in state agencies and institutions. Every state employee has an obligation to report significant…

Congratulations to the 2023-24 Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to the 2023-24 Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship Winners! Human Resources is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-24 Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship, which grants each winner $250 in support of continued academic studies. The scholarship can be used for books and additional learning materials from the Mason…

Reporting Accidents Reminder

Reporting Accidents Reminder We want to keep the Mason community safe! Please report all accidents, injuries, or conditions that may cause harm to an individual or the university. When dangerous or potentially dangerous conditions are reported, the university can take appropriate action to protect the community. Please report the following…

State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, financial, grief counseling, and legal services…

Revision to State Hiring Policy

Revision to State Hiring Policy On May 30, 2023, the Governor announced the elimination of degree requirements and preferences for 90 percent of state classified positions. Effective July 1, 2023, Virginia’s hiring policy for classified positions will be modified to increase opportunities for all qualified job seekers. The “Preferred Requirements”…

VRS Selects New Record Keeper for Defined Contributions Plans

VRS Selects New Record Keeper for Defined Contributions Plans The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board of Trustees has named Voya Financial to serve as the third-party record keeper for the VRS defined contribution plans (DCP) beginning January 1, 2025, subject to final contract negotiations. See news release. The selection follows…

Work Anniversary Recognition Program

HR News Work Anniversary Recognition Program Recognizing your team members’ work anniversaries is a great way to show your appreciation for their contributions. The Faculty and Staff Engagement Team encourages supervisors to make a habit of recognizing their employees’ work anniversaries-here are some suggestions! Reach out to congratulate employees individually,…

2023 Salary Increase Guidance

HR News 2023 Salary Increase Guidance Consistent with the latest DHRM guidance issued on May 17, 2023, Mason will be providing a 5% pay increase. The DHRM guidance is based on the 2022 biennium budget. As we have a limited window to implement the adjustments, the allocation plan is as…

Reminder to A/P Faculty to Document Telework

Reminder to A/P Faculty to Document Telework As a friendly reminder, A/P faculty who are using flexible work must have a current telework form on file. Whether you are hybrid teleworking, working remotely, flexing time, or working a compressed schedule, this should be documented in your telework form. Additionally, forms…

Telework Forms Required for Employees Working Remotely Outside of Virginia (Including Part-Time Employees)

Telework Forms Required for Employees Working Remotely Outside of Virginia (Including Part-Time Employees) Human Resources would like to remind employees and supervisors that all employees working remotely from outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia should have a current Out-Of-State/International Fulltime Telework/Remote Work Agreement on file. Please note that this requirement…

Standard Telework Renewal Process for Classified Staff

HR News Standard Telework Renewal Process for Classified Staff We’d like to share an update to DHRM Policy 1.61: Teleworking, which includes a new provision for the annual renewal process for Standard Telework Agreements. Effective immediately, state-level approval of Standard Telework Agreements is required only for new or modified agreements…

Outstanding Achievement Awards 2023 Recipients

Outstanding Achievement Awards 2023 Recipients Human Resources is excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards! In a year where we received a record number of nominations, we want to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our Mason community and encourage you to continue to focus on faculty…

Enhancements to the George Mason University Retirement Program

HR News Enhancements to the George Mason University Retirement Program We are pleased to let you know about some exciting enhancements coming to employee retirement plans at George Mason University in late March. These changes are the result of a year-long review of the plans by Mason’s Investment Plan Committee…

Virginia529 Seminar: Saving for Education

Virginia529 Seminar: Saving for Education Wednesday, May 17 11 a.m. EST Zoom Thinking about saving for education? Join Virginia529 for a special webinar on May 17. Saving for future education expenses for a child, a grandchild, or even yourself can seem overwhelming. In this seminar, you’ll learn…

Shared Savings Incentive Program for COVA Members

Shared Savings Incentive Program for COVA Members COVA Care, COVA HDHP, and COVA HealthAware members are eligible for the Shared Savings Program. These incentive programs offer cash rewards to members when they shop for better-value health care services. Not every facility will bring a reward. The programs are strictly voluntary.…

Timesheet Approver/Supervisor Change Notice

Timesheet Approver/Supervisor Change Notice Please note that Timesheet Approver/Supervisor Change Forms must be submitted when a timesheet approver and/or supervisor separates or changes position number. Effective dates must be at the beginning of a pay period. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the HR Data Management team…

Volunteer with University Sustainability

Volunteer with University Sustainability University Sustainability provides volunteer opportunities for Mason faculty, staff, students, and alumni as well as community members. Grow food, harvest and distribute produce, plant trees, participate in zero waste clean-ups, complete waste audits, support large-scale events, and more! Some virtual opportunities are also available. Full-time classified…

Pats for Patriots

Pats for Patriots Want to show your appreciation for a Mason colleague or student who is kind, generous, or thoughtful? Check out Pats for Patriots! Pats for Patriots is a quick and easy way to recognize acts of kindness around campus and build a culture of positivity. This form of…

Preventing Workplace Violence

Preventing Workplace Violence George Mason University strives to provide employees, students, and visitors a safe place in which to work, study, and live. Mason takes a zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence. It can take many forms; some are obvious while others are subtler. Reporting Procedures All employees are expected…

Inclusive Workplace Practices During Ramadan and Eid

Inclusive Workplace Practices During Ramadan and Eid For the first time in several years, all of Ramadan (March 22 – April 21) and Eid will take place during the spring semester. Please be aware of the ways in which we can support our Muslim colleagues’ and students’ needs during this…

New Payroll Website Now Available

New Payroll Website Now Available The Payroll department has moved from Human Resources to Fiscal Services. Please visit the new Payroll website for all payroll information including timesheets, direct deposit, taxes, forms, and other resources.

Acceptable Use of State Electronic Resources

Acceptable Use of State Electronic Resources A friendly reminder that state electronic equipment (desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.) is for conducting professional business, despite the fact that they “travel everywhere” with us. All users have a responsibility to ensure they use these resources appropriately. University Policy 1301 (Responsible Use of Computing) and the DHRM…

Disability Advertising and Recruitment Resources

Disability Advertising and Recruitment Resources The Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP) is an online job bank sponsored by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation and the National Employment Team in partnership with disABLEDperson, Inc. TAP connects jobseekers with disabilities served by Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Administration, Employment Networks, and other…

Why Does George Mason University Collect Demographic Data?

Why Does George Mason University Collect Demographic Data? And how can you update it if you have changes? Mason is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other…

Leave Balance Transfers

HR News Leave Balance Transfers Is your department or unit hiring an employee who is transferring within Mason or the state? Leave transfers are a complex matter when changing jobs within the state or within Mason. When hiring for a new position, please do not assume or agree to leave…

Talent Acquisition Resources

Talent Acquisition Resources The Talent Acquisition team has several online resources available to assist departments’ recruitment efforts. Search Coordinator Resources The Search Coordinator Resources page is a quick reference guide for a search coordinator and/or anyone tasked to perform similar duties during a search. A search coordinator performs a crucial…

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting While everyone should be concerned about child abuse and neglect, the law requires certain individuals to report suspected instances. In 2012, the Virginia General Assembly (SB 239) added “any person employed by a public or private institution of higher education” to the list of mandated…

Recruitment Notes Guidance

Recruitment Notes Guidance To stay in accordance with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) requirements, Talent Acquisition asks that hiring teams submit all completed search materials to jobs@gmu.edu for appropriate filing. Search materials include the interview notes, hiring matrix, confidentiality forms, search completion forms, reference checks, and any…

Reminder to Appropriately Document Flexible Work

Reminder to Appropriately Document Flexible Work As a reminder, Mason and Commonwealth policy require an approved form on file for most flexible work arrangements, including telework, compressed schedules, and flextime. If you or an employee you supervise is utilizing flexible work, please ensure that they have the appropriate form(s) on…

Sign Up for the BurnAlong Fitness App

Sign Up for the BurnAlong Fitness App This year, we encourage you to register for your free Burnalong account and share the gift of wellness with four family members or friends. As a BurnAlong member, you get four free sub-accounts you can share with anyone! For instructions on adding a…

IRS Increases Deferred Compensation Contribution Limits

IRS Increases Deferred Compensation Contribution Limits The Internal Revenue Service has increased the maximum dollar amount you may contribute in 2023 to tax-deferred savings plans, such as the Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. The annual deferral limit for 457 plans for participants younger than age 50 has increased to…

TIAA Financial Seminars

TIAA Financial Seminars TIAA has a number of upcoming financial seminars. Read on to learn more! March Mar. 9 (12 PM): Save in a 529 College Savings Plan Mar. 15 (2 PM): Help Protect You, Your Family, and Your Money Register on the TIAA website.

Onboarding Toolkit for Supervisors

New Onboarding Toolkit for Supervisors Onboarding a new employee but unsure of how to set them up for success? Look no further than the new Onboarding Toolkit for Supervisors. This toolkit was designed to provide supervisors with supplemental information and recommendations for how to approach onboarding a new employee –…

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Drug and Alcohol Policy The abuse of drugs and alcohol by employees is incompatible with the goals of George Mason University. The illicit use of drugs and alcohol can create a serious threat to the safety and welfare of the university community and undermine the productivity of the workforce. Those…

Virginia’s Hourly Minimum Wage Increase Reminder

Virginia’s Hourly Minimum Wage Increase Reminder Per the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, the hourly minimum wage in Virginia will increase on January 1, 2023 to $12 per hour. Impacted individuals include student wage, work study and non-student wage workers with current hourly rates below $12.00 per hour as of January…

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program State employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more…

Save the Date: Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day

Save the Date: Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day Mark your calendars! April 27, 2023 will be Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day. This event allows faculty and staff to invite the children in their life to campus to learn more about what it’s like to work at…

Register for the MotiVAte App

Register for the MotiVAte App CommonHealth is excited to announce the release of the registration portion of the MotiVAte app. MotiVAte is an incentive-based program designed to help you capture and log your wellness efforts that are eligible to earn points. Once you register, you’ll be one step closer to…

Beware of Unsolicited VRS Counseling Services

Beware of Unsolicited VRS Counseling Services VRS occasionally receives reports from members that various groups have contacted them to offer retirement counseling services or insurance products. Please be aware that VRS does not sell products or make unsolicited calls to offer services to members. All VRS counseling services are free…

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Update

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Update The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) has updated Policy 4.20 – Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Effective January 10, 2023, Policy 4.20 changes the 12-month measurement period from the fixed 12-month period to a rolling 12-month period. Please review the…

Onboarding Guidance

Onboarding Guidance Thank you for continuing to diligently follow the onboarding process when hiring new employees. A smooth onboarding process creates an environment where your new employees feel supported. Following each step in a timely manner gives your new employees a seamless transition and a successful start! For your reference,…

For Fidelity Customers: Keep Your Information Up to Date

For Fidelity Customers: Keep Your Information Up to Date Do you have a Fidelity Investments plan? Enhance your digital presence and stay connected – update your contact and beneficiary information on file today! It takes less than five minutes and is the best way to stay up-to-date on information related…

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