Category: Human Resources

Employees enrolled in 2022 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and Health Savings Account (HSA)/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) reward dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year.

In January, there are four events currently scheduled worth up to 35 points.

• Beginning Jan. 10 through Jan. 23, registration is open for the first Wondr (formerly Naturally Slim) class of 2022. Register at the  HealthQuest Wondr website.  (10 points)
• 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, “After the Holidays: Managing That Debt,” EAP webinar. Register online.  (one point)
• 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, “Meet Your Health Coaches,” webinar. Register online. (one point)
• Tuesday, Jan. 18: On-campus Biometric Screening at the Rhatigan Student Center (Room 261). Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (Up to 23 points)

Now is a good time to take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.

• Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn ten points for completing this assessment.
• 2022 HealthQuest Program overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
• Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (max one health coaching per day, one point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
• Learning Modules: You can earn up to 12 points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are many different topics to choose from.
• EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to 10 points combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one point per day).
• Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 points by completing this five-week learning module.

In light of today’s federal court injunction, a previous announcement regarding Executive Order 14042 has been removed from the Dec. 7 issue of WSU Today to avoid confusion.

For the most updated information, read below:

Earlier today, an injunction was issued by a federal judge in Georgia halting the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal government contractors and subcontractors. Because of this injunction, Wichita State University is suspending the employee vaccine mandate requirement and process, effective immediately. Employees are not required to be vaccinated as a condition of employment at the university.  

We have all become accustomed during this COVID-19 crisis to adapting and pivoting quickly when needed. This is yet another example where our university community continues to demonstrate their commitment to compliance, the health and safety of our community, and adjusting when necessary. We will continue to monitor and communicate any further changes on this and other COVID-19 related requirements. 

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to continue to take all reasonable steps to protect your health and to combat the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to be vaccinated and to get the vaccine booster. Vaccines are readily available at no charge by appointment at the WSU Student Health Center to WSU employees and students, and at most major pharmacies. Employees may also explore options near them at vaccines.gov. 

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our university! 

President Rick Muma   

Employees enrolled in 2021 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and Health Savings Account (HSA)/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) reward dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year.

Remember, the deadline to earn points towards your 2022 Premium Discount is Dec. 31, 2021. 

In December, there is one event currently scheduled worth up to one point.

•  10:30-11:30 a.m. today, Dec. 1, “Rewards and Challenges of the Blended Family,” EAP webinar. Register online. (one point)

Now is a good time to take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.

• Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (maximum of one health coaching per day, one point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian, or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
• Learning Modules: You can earn up to five points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are 18 topics to choose from.
• EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to eight points (maximum of one point per day) by completing EAP On-Demand training and webinars that you can access through the HealthQuest portal. There are 32 topics to choose from.
• HealthQuest Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn five points by completing this four-week learning module.
• Health Assessment Questionnaire: You can earn 10 points for completing this assessment.
• HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.

The COVID-19 drop box will be available for WSU employees to either submit proof of COVID vaccination, remote work exception request or a vaccination exemption request beginning Nov. 29, 2021. The deadline to submit documentation is no later than Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

In accordance with Executive Order 14042, all Wichita State employees (including temporary, part-time, full-time and student employees) will be required to be fully vaccinated, unless eligible for a medical or religious exemption or a remote work exception.

The mandatory vaccination obligations apply even to those covered employees who are working remotely (if they are working on or in connection with a covered contract or are fulfilling any work obligations at any time on university property).

Compliance with the vaccine requirement is a condition of employment at WSU. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not receive approval for a medical or religious exemption or a remote work exception may be prohibited from engaging in work after the deadline. Further failure to comply will be addressed consistent with university policies and procedures, which may include corrective action up to and including separation.

Please continue to monitor WSU Today and Shocker Blast for updates and reference the HR Guide to Executive Order 14042 for additional information.

Due to unexpected circumstances, the Human Resources (HR) Office front lobby will be closed until further notice for non-scheduled walk-in traffic. If you have a scheduled appointment with an HR team member, they will meet you in the HR vestibule at the scheduled time.

Although in-person appointments need to be scheduled, the HR team continues to support the WSU community via virtual services, and email is strongly encouraged. If you are needing to make an appointment to meet in person with an HR team member, please contact HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu.

The Human Resources office will temporarily close noon-2 p.m. today, Nov. 18. The office will reopen at 2 p.m. today.

Shutdown Plan 2021

In preparation for the 2021 Holiday Shutdown, the HR Talent Acquisition team will implement the following deadlines related to hiring all positions (excluding Division of Industry and Defense Programs). This will provide a more positive experience for candidates, while ensuring positions are posted and employees are hired successfully prior to the shutdown.

For Posting Benefit Eligible Positions or conducting a search:

• All Position Action Request (PAR) Forms must be submitted to Marketbasedcomp@wichita.edu by Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021.
• PAR forms must be fully approved and submitted to employment@wichita.edu by noon on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
• Approved PAR postings must be entered into PeopleAdmin and submitted to HRIS reviewer by noon on Monday, Dec.13, 2021.
• All Intake meetings must be completed by Wednesday, Dec.15, 2021, and job posting wording will be confirmed with hiring manager and posted by the Talent Acquisition team by end of day on Dec. 17, 2021.
• The first New Hire Orientation (NEO) of 2022 will be held on Tuesday, Jan.11, 2022. To attend this session:
  • All verbal offers must be accepted by the selected candidate by Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
  • All candidates must be cleared for hire by HR by noon on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with Executive Order 14042 by providing proof of full vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption, successful background check completed, new hire paperwork completed, and hiring proposal approved in PeopleAdmin. Candidates who are not cleared to begin work by the deadline will have their start date rescheduled and attend the Jan. 25, 2022 NEO.

• Any pending position descriptions or requests for posting received after Dec. 15, 2021 will be handled following the 2021 Holiday Shutdown. Any offers that are accepted after Jan. 4, 2022 will be able to start in NEO on or after Jan. 25, 2022.

For hiring Non-Benefit Eligible Positions (i.e., student/grad, lecturer, temp):

• Non-Benefit Eligible Hire Request forms must be submitted to employment@wichita.edu by close of business on Dec. 15, 2021 to be processed prior to the shutdown.
• Onboard checklists and electronic personal action forms (ePAFs) must be completely approved by noon on Dec. 16, 2021 to be processed prior to the shutdown.

Onboarding includes, but is not limited to, compliance with Executive Order 14042 by providing proof of full vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption, successful background check completed, new hire paperwork completed.

• ePAFs for employees who have not completed the hire process by noon on Dec. 16, 2021 will be returned and departments will be required to resubmit the ePAF for the next available payroll period (Jan. 9, 2022).
• ePAFs will not be approved, and Non-Benefit Eligible Hires will not be processed during the holiday shutdown (Dec. 18, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022).
• Employees cannot start working until after their ePAF is approved.

For more information, contact the Talent Acquisition team at employment@wichita.edu.

Employees enrolled in 2021 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and  Health Savings Account (HSA)/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) reward dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year.

One event is scheduled for November worth up to one point.

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, “Gratitude: A Skill for Happier Living”, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar. Register online. (one point)

Now is a good time to take advantage of some of the On-Demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.

• Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (maximum of one health coaching per day, one point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian, or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
• Learning Modules: You can earn up to five points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are 18 topics to choose from.
• EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to eight points (maximum of one point per day) by completing EAP on-demand training and webinars that you can access through the HealthQuest portal. There are 32 topics to choose from.
• HealthQuest Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn five points by completing this four-week learning module.
• Health Assessment Questionnaire: You can earn 10 points for completing this assessment.
• HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.

The deadline to earn points toward HSA/HRA Reward Dollars is Nov. 19, 2021. The deadline to earn points toward your 2022 Premium Discount is Dec. 31, 2021.

WSU HR Total Rewards team is once again hosting on-site flu shots, available to State of Kansas employees and dependents who are currently enrolled in SEHP medical insurance.

WSU will have one on-site flu clinic this year on from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1 at the Rhatigan Student Center (Room 264). Click below to schedule an appointment online for the WSU on-site flu clinic. Select ‘Sedgwick’ as your preferred location. This form requires your State Employee ID which you can locate in myWSU in the center of the page by hovering over the white box in the SHaRP ID channel.

Flu shots are by appointment only, walk-ins will not be accepted.

Not able to make this clinic?  You can also get your no-cost flu shot at your in-network primary care provider or most pharmacy and drug stores.

Open enrollment for 2022 closes Sunday, Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Members who haven’t submitted their enrollment by that time will be enrolled in a default medical plan. Members who waived medical coverage in 2021 will continue to be waived in 2022 if they do not submit an enrollment.

Still need help making your 2022 election decision? Don’t worry, just ASK ALEX!

The Total Rewards team has created multiple instructional documents with images of the portal and step-by-step instructions. Get help with:

• Logging in/Registering your account
• Adding a new dependent to coverage
• Making your online elections

The Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.