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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…
Read MoreVRS 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…
Read MoreOutstanding 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…
Read MoreShared 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.…
Read MoreTimesheet 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…
Read MoreVolunteer 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…
Read MorePreventing 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…
Read MoreAcceptable 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…
Read MoreDisability 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…
Read MoreWhy 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…
Read MoreTalent 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…
Read MoreChild 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…
Read MoreRecruitment 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…
Read MoreSign 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…
Read MoreIRS 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…
Read MoreTIAA 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.
Read MoreOnboarding 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 –…
Read MoreDrug 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…
Read MorePublic 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…
Read MoreSave 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…
Read MoreRegister 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…
Read MoreBeware 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…
Read MoreFamily 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…
Read MoreOnboarding 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,…
Read MoreFor 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…
Read MoreEmployee of the Month Nominations
HR & Payroll News Employee of the Month Nominations Do you work with an incredible Mason administrative/professional faculty, classified staff member, or wage employee who goes the extra mile, collaborates with their colleagues, and supports the University? Nominate them for Mason’s Employee of the Month award! A digital form and…
Read MoreExclusive Pet Care Resources Through BrightHorizons
Exclusive Pet Care Resources Through BrightHorizons Looking for someone to walk the family dog while you’re at work? Need someone to watch your cat while you’re away? BrightHorizons Additional Family Supports has you covered. Mason employees get free member access to the following services through BrightHorizons’ online database: Find pre-screened…
Read MoreVRS Member Benefit Profile (MBP)
HR & Payroll News VRS Member Benefit Profile (MBP) If you are enrolled in a retirement plan with VRS (Plan 1, Plan 2, or Hybrid), your annual Member Benefit Profile (MBP) is available on your myVRS account. To view it, select the My History menu then select Annual Statements. The MBP…
Read MoreAccess Optional Group Life Insurance Benefits Through myVRS
Access Optional Group Life Insurance Benefits Through myVRS Eligible members can now use myVRS to access and manage optional group life insurance coverage with Securian Financial, the insurer for the VRS Group Life Insurance Program. Eligibility If your employer participates in the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, you are covered under…
Read MoreImportant Information for Kaiser Permanente HMO Members
HR & Payroll News Important Information for Kaiser Permanente HMO Members For urgent and emergency care while traveling out of state, Kaiser Permanente HMO members now have access to Cigna’s PPO Network of providers and facilities. To get care, they’ll simply need to present their digital ID card, available in…
Read MoreVRS Members: Be Alert for Unsolicited Retirement Counseling Services
VRS Members: Be Alert for Unsolicited Retirement Counseling Services From time to time, VRS receives reports from members and employers that various companies or groups have contacted them via email or phone to offer retirement counseling services or insurance products. Please be aware: VRS does not use unsolicited calls to…
Read MoreExperiencing Issues with Cardinal
Experiencing Issues with Cardinal New this year, Open Enrollment is held online on Cardinal, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s new online portal. As we are transitioning to this new platform, you may be experiencing issues, which are detailed below. We recognize that this has been frustrating. Please know that we are…
Read MoreFaculty/Staff Reward and Recognition Program
Faculty/Staff Reward and Recognition Program George Mason University values a culture of recognition! HR & Payroll’s Reward and Recognition program offers recognition opportunities that are fun, meaningful, and linked to the values and mission of Mason. The Reward and Recognition program aims to recognize individuals and teams for contributions to…
Read MoreRecipient Spotlight: Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship
HR & Payroll News Recipient Spotlight: Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship HR & Payroll’s Faculty and Staff Engagement Team is excited to announce the 2022-2023 Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship recipients. The scholarship aims to encourage continuing education for Mason employees while recognizing that the pursuit of an education is a life-long process. The…
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