View in browser  |  Ver versión en español

 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

January 18, 2024

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences) 

People Leaders:  For staff without ready access to email, please print and post a copy of this email. 

Hello, everyone! Happy new year, welcome to 2024, and welcome to our new-and-improved Updates from HR! You’ll notice a different layout aligned with our latest university branding, as well as a brand-new feature we are thrilled to introduce—the ability to read this monthly newsletter en español.

As you know, we are deeply committed to helping make the five pillars of our People Proposition—equity, inclusion, care, growth, and purpose—the lived experience for every employee at UC San Diego. Offering the option to read this and other valuable information from Campus HR in the second-most spoken language on campus is an important step toward making sure a large segment of our campus population is included and informed. And I couldn’t feel more proud about that.

I am not big on new year’s resolutions anymore, because I often would set some lofty goal and then beat myself up about it for about 11 months. That being said, what I do and encourage you to do, is your level best to be better every day than you were the day before. Whether that means taking feedback better; trying to get a little more rest; hugging your loved ones tighter; reaching out and telling someone you love them; loving yourself more (for real); appreciating all of our imperfections and embracing we are only human; or taking a step back and cherishing all that you do have, and not focusing on what you do not—any and all of that counts toward bettering yourself. Let the end of this year’s measure be about how you have progressed this year, versus whether you actually walked on the moon. Be good to yourself and others.

Now sit back, and immerse yourself in all the news and resources we’ve prepared for you. Hopefully after reading this newsletter, you’ll feel as proud as I do to get to work with all of you, and to be a part of the Triton community.

Lead with grace and courage,  

Terri S. Winbush 
Campus Chief Human Resources Officer 

Staff@Work results are in and distributed to leaders. Those interested in learning results can contact their People Leader, or visit our Tritonlytics website for a summary of results.

UC is committed to supporting faculty and staff, including enhancing benefits, programs and policies designed to help employees balance their work and personal lives. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, UC’s leave options will expand to provide eligible employees with up to five days of protected leave following a reproductive loss. This change aligns with California legislation that will be effective Jan. 1, 2024. More information about how to request Reproductive Loss Leave is available on Blink.

For those who were assigned the Abusive Conduct training during the initial rollout on Oct. 16, 2023, you will need to complete the training by January 24, 2024. For those assigned the training after Oct. 16,  2023, please refer to your Assigned Training page in the UC Learning Center to verify your due date. 

The IRS requires you to complete a new W-4 form each year if you are claiming exemption from tax withholding. If you wish to claim exemption from withholding in 2024, you must make this choice on UCPath online before February 15, 2024. Learn more on UCnet. 

UC San Diego launched the Equity in Mental Health (EMH) series, a campus-wide program led by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, to unify and expand services dedicated to supporting a diverse faculty, staff and student community, and to advance systemic improvements in our understanding of trauma and its generational impact on mental health and well-being.  Grants of $5,000-$15,000 may be requested for projects that help achieve the goals of the EMH initiative. Apply on the Office of EDI’s website by the Feb. 2, 2024 deadline.

First up in the Core Series for 2024 is Building Inclusive Teams and Trust on Tues., Feb. 27, from 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. via Zoom. This session is intended for all People Leaders, and will focus on understanding and developing the relationships between trust, inclusion and engagement within teams. Register through UC Learning Center. 

Tuesdays from January 9—March 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Visit UC San Diego’s Farmers Market for farm-fresh produce and flowers, plus locally prepared, delicious international specialty foods and more. Learn more on the Farmers Market website.

As part of Changemaker Week Jan. 13—20, the Changemaker Institute invites the UC San Diego community to join an invigorating series of events designed to empower students, staff, faculty, and alumni to take action toward driving positive impact in their regional community and beyond. See the complete lineup on the event website.

Tues., Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. In honor of National Mentoring Month, you are invited to celebrate during a Conversation on Equity-Minded Mentorship, featuring Executive Director of Learning and Development for EDI, Dr. Shaun Travers. Register via single sign-on through the UC Learning Center.

Tues., Feb. 6, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Now held quarterly, UC San Diego campus staff gather for a virtual Staff Town Hall, providing important updates and resources. Learn more on Blink, and register through Zoom. 

Wed., Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Celebrate football with mini soup and grilled cheese at the Phillips Vera Cruz Room. Held once a month, Triton Treats is a great opportunity to network with fellow UC San Diego staff while enjoying free, tasty provisions. Learn more on the Staff Association's website.

Sat., Feb. 10, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This event is designed to support UC San Diego staff, faculty, and their families as they navigate the continually evolving landscape of higher education. Learn more through this campus notice.

Mon., March 4, 1:30 - 3 p.m. Through the HR Network, a community of HR professionals at UC San Diego campus meet once a quarter to discuss valuable information necessary for members to thrive as HR practitioners on campus. Learn more on Blink, and register through Zoom.

Tues., March 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. This stand-alone webinar will host an engaging discussion around the intersection of process improvement and artificial intelligence/automation and the impacts on productivity, quality and satisfaction. IBM Master Inventor and United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisor Neil Sahota will serve as keynote speaker. Learn more and register on the Process Palooza website.

If you couldn’t attend our second People Leader Summit yesterday, Jan. 17, keep your eyes peeled for a video recording along with relevant assets. People Leaders will receive the content via email, or you can also visit the People Leader Network page within the next few weeks.