HR News

Fifty new community members were welcomed recently at Becoming Orange: New Employee Orientation, a program offered by the Office of Human Resources.

More than 500 employees participated in a recent Wellness Initiative campaign to raise awareness for heart disease prevention.

The 12-session Thrive! program brings updated research and practical strategies for resilience, stress management and cultivating happiness in an increasingly overwhelming world.

As we approach the end of the calendar year, non-exempt (hourly) employees should be aware of an important and favorable detail regarding year-end employee benefit plan deductions. Due to the structure of the hourly payroll cycle, the 2025 calendar year includes 53 pay weeks.

As a result, the final hourly pay period of the year, covering Dec. 25, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, and paid on Jan. 7, 2026, will not include deductions for employee benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, and Flexible Spending Account contributions.

Deductions associated with 2026 benefit plan elections will begin with the Jan. 14, 2026, paycheck. This applies only to hourly employees. All benefit plan elections will remain effective as of Jan. 1, 2026.

As always, we encourage all employees to review their paychecks carefully. Questions regarding earnings or deductions should be directed to the Payroll Service Center. Questions related to benefit plan elections should be directed to HR Shared Services. Both offices can be reached at 315.443.4042.

Dear Colleagues:

I want to inform you of an important change to our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Carebridge will become AllOne Health. This change maintains the confidential, high-quality support you and your family members currently receive.

What’s new beginning Jan. 1, 2026:

• New member phone number: 800.451.1834
• Updated website: The CarebridgeNow.com website will automatically redirect to AllOneHealth.com
• Medical Advocacy support: Receive assistance navigating insurance, finding doctors, securing medical equipment and p,lanning for care transitions
• Personal Assistant services: Get referrals for travel, entertainment, professional services, cleaning, home food deliver,y and help with everyday tasks

Services that remain unchanged:

• Six counseling sessions per issue per year
• Life coaching, financial consultation, legal referrals, and work-life resources
• Uninterrupted care: Current Carebridge clients will be contacted directly by AllOne Health with no gap in service
• The existing Carebridge phone number (800.437.0911) will continue working for the next year, through Dec. 31, 2026

What you need to do after Jan. 1, 2026:

• Begin using the AllOne Health member phone number: 800.451.1834

Your well-being matters to us. I encourage you to take full advantage of these comprehensive confidential resources available to you and your covered family members.

Best regards,

Alex Dietrich
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer

Most University offices closed or on reduced hours during holiday break; essential services remain fully operational.

Friday, Dec. 5, is the last day to apply for reduced health plan contributions under Schedule B and the dependent care subsidy.

Reduced Health Plan Contributions—Deadline Dec. 5

Faculty and staff may qualify for reduced health plan contributions, based on household income and size. Visit the Schedule B webpage for eligibility guidelines and to apply.

Dependent Care Subsidy—Deadline Dec. 5

The University offers subsidies to help faculty and staff with dependent care expenses. Visit the Dependent Care Subsidy webpage for eligibility information and to apply.

Supplemental Life and Long Term Disability Insurance

Faculty and staff who newly elected or increased supplemental life insurance during Open Enrollment must complete the MetLife Statement of Health form and return it to MetLife. Those who newly elected long term disability insurance through The Standard must complete a Medical History Statement form and return it to The Standard. Elections will not go into effect until the application is reviewed and approved by the vendors and Human Resources is notified.

Questions?

Visit the benefits section of the Human Resources website or contact HR Shared Services at hrservice@syr.edu or 315.443.4042.

Dear Colleagues:

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to provide affordable, high-quality benefits, we are seeking new members for the Employee Benefits Assessment Council (EBAC). The council has become an important component of the University’s benefits decision-making process, and we are now looking to fill positions as current members complete their terms.

About the EBAC

The EBAC, chaired by Maxwell School Professor of Practice Emeritus Thomas Dennison, meets regularly throughout the year (including during the summer) to address, explore and assess University benefits and to evaluate and provide input into decisions about any changes to existing benefits. The council reports to the University’s Administrative Benefits Committee in collaboration with Human Resources leadership. Council members gather input from the University community through various channels and provide recommendations on benefit options, changes and improvements to University leaders involved in making final decisions.

Staff and Faculty Representative Selection

The council includes faculty and staff representing a broad range of perspectives. We are seeking both faculty and staff members through a self-nomination process. Any faculty or staff member in good standing is eligible and invited to apply. For those interested in being considered, please complete the online application.

Key Dates

• Deadline to submit applications: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
• Representative notification: Selected representatives will be notified by mid-December
• First meeting: To be scheduled by the chair in early 2026

The EBAC plays a vital role in ensuring that faculty and staff voices are well represented in benefits decisions. I encourage you to consider applying for this meaningful opportunity to be engaged in University decision-making.

For more information about the council, visit the HR website.

Sincerely,
Alex Dietrich
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer

Dependent Care Subsidy Deadline: Dec. 5

The University offers subsidies to assist with dependent care expenses. Apply by Friday, Dec. 5. Review eligibility and apply on the Dependent Care Subsidy webpage.

Schedule B (Reduced Medical Contributions) Deadline: Dec. 5

You may qualify for reduced health plan contributions based on household income and size. Apply by Friday, Dec. 5. Review eligibility and apply on the Schedule B webpage.

Dependent Tuition Deadline: First-Time Applications Began Nov. 15

If you’re using or planning to use the Dependent Tuition Benefit for the 2026-27 academic year, apply through MySlice. The benefit requires annual application and approval. First-time application deadlines began Nov. 15, and renewal application deadlines begin on Feb. 1. Deadlines vary by program type. Visit the Dependent Tuition Benefit webpage for complete details and specific deadlines.

Supplemental Life Insurance and Long Term Disability

If you newly elected or increased supplemental life insurance during Open Enrollment, complete the MetLife Statement of Health form [PDF] and return it to MetLife. If you newly elected long-term disability insurance, complete the Medical History Statement form [PDF] and return it to The Standard.

Contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 with questions.

Today, Friday, Nov. 14, is the last day you can review and confirm your 2026 benefits in MySlice. This is your only opportunity to elect or change coverage for most benefits unless you experience a qualifying life event.

Visit the Open Enrollment website for more information and contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 with questions.