Category: Human Resources

The university has established a strategic goal to provide fair and equitable pay for employees that is competitive and will enable us to attract and retain valued faculty and staff members. In support of this goal, the university allocated nearly $6 million for the purpose of making pay changes based on the comprehensive base pay analysis that was completed this spring.

The comprehensive base pay analysis included all benefit-eligible teaching (554 positions) and non-teaching positions (1,164 positions). Base pay adjustments will be made for benefit eligible faculty and staff at the start of FY 2023 to advance pay equity where gaps in pay were identified. In addition, market adjustments will be made to move those who are at the lowest market positions. As a result, of the 554 faculty positions, 393 or 71% will receive an increase and 660 of the 1,164 staff positions, or 57% will receive a pay increase.

In accordance with the university pay philosophy and the funding allocated for pay changes, a fair and consistent methodology for making pay changes was adopted. Pay changes will be effective June 12, 2022, and reflected in the paycheck dated July 8, 2022. Employees will be notified of pay changes via their WSU email on June 10, 2022.

Moving forward, the university will review pay for employees on an annual pay cycle.  Future annual reviews will include internal equity and external market and will be used to determine future pay changes.

For more information about the University’s compensation philosophy or the program in general, please visit the Market Based Compensation website.  For more detailed information about the implementation of the FY2023 pay changes, visit the Frequently Asked Questions FY2023 Annual Pay Cycle Base Pay Changes website.

Addressing employee pay is a priority for the university and will require a multi-year approach. Your support is appreciated as we continue this work over the coming years.

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 June, there are three events currently scheduled worth up to 12 credits.

• 1 p.m. June 8, EAP Webinar “Mindfulness: Being Present in Your Work and Life”
• June 20, Wondr (Formerly Naturally Slim) session 3 kick-off. Registration ends June 5. (10 points)
• June 22, 1:00 PM, EAP Webinar “Connecting Mind and Body for Healthy Living” (one credit)

Take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest credits.

• •  Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 credits for completing this assessment.
  • 2022 HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three credits for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
  •  Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 credits (max one health coaching per day, one credit 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 credits 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 credits combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one credit per day).
  • Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 credits by completing this five-week learning module

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 May, there are six events currently scheduled worth up to 40 credits.

• May 1–June 4, Hydration Challenge. Register through May 6. (four credits)
• 1 p.m. May 4, EAP Webinar “Mental Health Awareness” (one credit)
• May 17, on-campus Biometric Screening in Rhatigan Student Center 266. Schedule your appointment at the HealthQuest portal, or call 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (23 credits)
• May 17, on-campus health coaching. Schedule an appointment at the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3 (one credit)
• 1 p.m. May 18 EAP Webinar “Languishing, Flourishing, and your Mental Health.” (one credit)
• May 23–June 5, registration is open for the third Wondr (formerly Naturally Slim) class of 2022 (10 credits)

Take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest credits.

• •  Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 credits for completing this assessment.
  • 2022 HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three credits for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
  •  Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 credits (max one health coaching per day, one credit 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 credits 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 credits combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one credit per day).
  • Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 credits by completing this five-week learning module

Jeremy Kohn, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) chartered financial consultant, will be at Wichita State May 3 and 4 for in-person retirement planning meetings.

During the meetings, Kohn will help WSU plan participants confirm they are on track for retirement and provide specific recommendations on how to invest their TIAA funds.

Meetings can be scheduled at the TIAA website. Members who unable to attend May 3 and 4 can also can contact Kohn at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org.

It is time to complete your annual conflict of interest (COI) disclosure. Pursuant to WSU and Kansas Board of Regents policy, all employees are required to annually disclose certain external interests, activities, and consulting arrangements.

This annual reporting period runs from April 1-30. Employees who have previously submitted an online disclosure will be prompted to review information previously submitted and make any necessary updates. Employees who have not recently submitted a disclosure will be automatically prompted to complete a new COI disclosure. You can access the COI disclosure form on myWSU.

Please note that, under WSU policy, all employees are required to keep their disclosures of external interests, activities, and consulting arrangements up to date throughout the year. This means that all employees must disclose job-related external interests as they arise and update disclosed interests if they change. Information about the updated COI processes and disclosure form can be found on WSU’s COI website. If you don’t see your question, please email COI@wichita.edu.

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 April, there are six events currently scheduled worth up to 40 credits.

• April 4 – April 22, Register for Power Down and Sleep Well challenge by April 8. (four credits)
• 1 p.m. April 6, EAP Webinar “Balancing Work and Life.” (one credit)
• April 8, Wondr (Formerly Naturally Slim) session to kick-off. Registration ends April 3. (10 points)
• April 12, on-campus Biometric Screening at the Rhatigan Student Center (Room 266). Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or contact 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (Up to 23 credits)
• April 12, on-campus Health Coaching. Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by contact 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (one credit)
•  April 20, EAP Webinar “Sleep: An Essential Component of Health and Well-Being.”  (one credit)

Take advantage of some of the On-Demand and online options to earn HealthQuest credits.

•  Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 credits for completing this assessment.
• 2022 HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three credits for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
•  Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 credits (max one health coaching per day, one credit 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 credits 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 credits combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one credit per day).
• Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 credits by completing this five-week learning module.

The Office of Human Resources will be closed 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday March 29 for a team meeting. The office will reopen at 1 p.m. and will resume normal business hours.

The Office of Human Resources will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to  1:30 p.m. Wednesday April 6 for team development. The office will reopen at 1:30 p.m. and will resume normal business hours.

The State Employee Health Plan will provide a special open enrollment period for members interested in LifeTime Benefit Term Group Life Insurance with Long Term Care March 25 – April 25, 2022. All members will receive email notifications regarding the special enrollment period using the preferred email address they submitted during open enrollment.

LifeTime Benefit Term insurance, underwritten by Chubb, offers permanent term life insurance protection with the ability for members to access 4% of the policy’s face amount, tax-free to help pay for long-term care costs, whether due to a physical or cognitive impairment. Premiums for the base life insurance benefit are guaranteed never to increase through age 100 and coverage is fully portable.

Members interested in this program can register for any of the informational webinars below:

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29 (Register for this webinar)
• noon Thursday, March 31 (Register for this webinar)

Members can also contact 877-720-2165 or visit the Kansas Department of Administration website. For more information, contact the SEHP at SEHPMembership@ks.gov.

Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 4. To extend appreciation for all employees, President Rick Muma and other members of the President’s Executive Team will host a come-and-go event with light refreshments 2-3 p.m. March 4 at the Rhatigan Student Center (first floor, Bluestem Room).

Showing appreciation for employees: Tips for supervisors

We know leaders are always looking for ways to show appreciation for faculty and staff often on tight budgets and in some cases, with a hybrid work team. While budgets may be tight and you may need to account for some of your team not being in-person, it is still important for leaders to show their employees that they are valued both as people and for the work they contribute to the university.

Below are a few ideas for leaders to show appreciation for their employees. There are no-cost and low-cost ideas and there are some creative ways to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day modified for a hybrid work team. These tips give you some ideas, but the main point is to show appreciation however you find meaningful. You know your team–get creative and make sure you  don’t miss the opportunity to express your appreciation:

• Make cookies or snacks and bring them in for everyone or consider having a department pot luck lunch with a fun activity to show appreciation for each team member.
• Host a virtual Employee Appreciation Day. Choose a fun theme, ask everyone to dress up (optional) and find virtual backgrounds that go along with your theme. You can ask your leader (next up the chain) to share an encouraging message or to facilitate a fun game for employees.
• Write a handwritten note to your staff and personalize it with recognizing something they have done that has made a positive impact on your team.
• Make a sign for each of your employees that says “I appreciate (insert employee name)” and place the sign on the employee’s work-space entry. Provide sticky notes to all team members and have them write a note about why they appreciate their team member and affix it on the sign.
• Have a drawing to give away prizes during a Zoom call. Prizes can be university swag already on hand, and you can use wheelofnames.com to pick winners.
• Create a Kudo Board to celebrate employees with an online group card filled with messages, GIFs, photos and videos.
• Share praise received from customers. This shows employees that their work matters and may give them a needed boost.
• Create a Hall of Fame where leaders can recognize someone in their division or college who made an extraordinary contribution to the institution’s ability to meet objectives in the past year.

Related resource: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources