April 8, 2010

MGEC Brown Bag Lunches at your worksite are a valuable way for employees to touch base about work related topics.  Contact your MGEC Contact Person if you would like a worksite meeting set up.  MGEC staff or Executive Board members are happy to attend. The topics can be chosen by your group.  Suggestions: the March 4^th MGEC Day at the Capitol, the MGEC Member Issue Advocacy Group, Workplace of Choice (MnDOT telework pilot), retirement incentives.

Mn/DOT Telework - "Mn/DOT launched a new telework pilot beginning April 1, as part of eWorkPlace. The eWorkPlace pilot encourages eligible Mn/DOT employees to try teleworking over a three-month period with their supervisor’s approval. Naturally, not all Mn/DOT jobs are compatible with telework.  However, if you believe your job is a good fit for telework, you are encouraged to review the materials available on iHub regarding this pilot and discuss the idea with your supervisor.

Expanding our use of telework is consistent with our agency’s Strategic Vision prompting us to promote a result oriented work environment that supports flexible work schedules and telecommuting.  It reinforces our aim to be an “employer of choice” continuing to attract and retain top talent - integrating our agency’s business strategy with our people strategy.

The application period for the pilot began on April 1 and will continue until April 30. To apply, please visit http://ihub/hr/ework. There you’ll find more information on eWorkPlace and teleworking, instructions for the application process, resources for teleworking and managing teleworkers, and more.

The eWorkPlace project, which is sponsored by a partnership between Mn/DOT and the University of Minnesota/Humphrey Institute, is a program to help area employers meet their organization and employee needs while reducing traffic congestion in the Twin Cities through teleworking.

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact the following Office of Human Resources staff or me, Eric Davis, Human Resources Director:

Lydia Bergen: lydia.bergen@state.mn.us or 651-366-3373
Karin van Dyck: karin.van.dyck@state.mn.us or 651-366-3385"

Renew your PE with the State of Minnesota – Licensure renewals for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012 will be available in May 2010. Online and paper renewals for 2010-2012 will be available in May 2010 at:
http://www.aelslagid.state.mn.us/lic.html

MGEC Contract, Article 6, Hours of Work and Overtime – Employees with compensatory time have until the last pay period in April to use their compensatory time or the employer will pay it out to the employee in cash.  In some circumstances, the employer, employee and MGEC agree to allow the employee additional time to use any remaining compensatory time rather than cash it out.  This requires the parties each agree and is usually done following a conversation between supervisor and employee.

Census 2010: Protect a congressional seat! Send in your census form today ... You can make a difference by filling out a form. Please fill out your census form today!

Long-Term Care insurance (LTCi) Open Enrollment to be held May 3, 2010 through May 31, 2010.  It's been four years since the last opportunity to enroll in Long-Term Care was held.  Informational Long-Term Care insurance meetings will be starting April 26, 2010 and run through May 7, 2010.

The LTCi Open Enrollment will provide employees with the chance to enroll for Long-Term Care insurance through Minnesota Public Employee Long-term Care Insurance program, (M-PEL) and its carrier CNA without providing evidence of insurability or good health.  Spouses and parents of employees may also apply, but their enrollments are still subject to evidence of good-health.

Employees who are currently enrolled in LTCi may also make changes to their current policies without providing evidence of insurability or good health. All employees who currently carry LTCi are encourage to review their policy at this time, as the newly introduced Partnership Program benefit is now in place. The Partnership Program enables Minnesota residents to protect more of their assets if they later need the state to help pay for their long-term care.

Long-Term Care insurance helps pay for a variety of services that are NOT covered by health insurance or Medicare. The earlier you enroll for coverage, the lower your monthly premiums will be, since the premium is based on your age when you enroll and will not increase as you age. The coverage offered through CNA features a variety of affordable premium levels based on the type of benefit plan you choose. 

To begin discovering the many benefit options and protection offered by M-PEL's Long-Term Care coverage, you may visit the website at: http://www.mpel.org/

To have an opportunity to listen to the M-Pel presentation, please review the meeting schedule.  The Presentation will be provided during the first hour of the meeting and the second hour of the meeting will give you a chance to speak directly with a representative from CNA. Representatives from many of the SEGIP insurance programs will also be available to help answer other benefit questions, as well.

Please consider attending a meeting or reviewing the benefits and protection available to you through the Long-Term Care insurance Open Enrollment.

Appropriate Use of Electronic Communication and Technology Reminder - The State continues to see investigations and discipline relating to inappropriate use of state computers. Employees have received discipline ranging from a written reprimand to discharge. The allegations have included viewing adult internet sites, sending or receiving inappropriate e-mails and not taking action when a supervisor is aware of a subordinate using a computer inappropriately. Additionally, extended computer use for non-state related purposes, any use for personal for-profit business activity and failure to protect access codes most likely will result in disciplinary action. Some agencies have adopted a “zero tolerance” policy and have even discharged employees for first offenses.  It’s a good idea to save internet browsing and personal email for non-work times or at home activity.

The statewide policy on appropriate use of electronic communications and technology does allow some limited personal use of state computers for web search and e-mail, but there are restrictions. Given that computer and internet access is universally available, employees should review the statewide policy at:
http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/hr/policy/policy-electronic.pdf and their agency’s policies relating to computer use. Also, it’s a good idea to have the employees you supervise review these policies.

Healthy Eating/Nutrition