E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States.

To assist with the January implementation, Human Resources has developed websites and training documents at http://humanresources.tennessee.edu/recruitment/. Follow the link to I-9 and E-Verify on the left hand side.

Entry into the E-Verify system will be handled centrally by Human Resources, but departments will still have responsibility to submit I-9 paperwork to HR within three days of a hire.

Several legislative bills were introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly aimed at addressing illegal immigration in Tennessee. The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act passed and requires that employers with six or more employees to E-verify all new employees beginning January 1. Verification must occur within three days of hire for all new employees.

The university has been using the E-Verify process for employees that were paid from a grant or contract with a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause since 2009. New regulations now require the university to perform the function for all new workers.

For additional information or to schedule a departmental training, please call the HR Call Center at 946-8847 or email human resources at systemhr@tennessee.edu.

The annual enrollment transfer period for UT’s health insurance program is October 1 through November 1. During this time, employees currently enrolled in a plan have the opportunity to make changes to coverage options for the 2012 calendar year. Employees who did not elect health or dental coverage during initial enrollment periods also may enroll during this time.

The Partnership PPO and Standard PPO will continue to be the health insurance options offered to UT employees through the State of Tennessee.

Information about enrollment and options and benefit enhancements has been mailed to home and office addresses. If you have not received an information packet, visit: http://insurance.tennessee.edu.

About Flexible Benefits

Enrollment in the UT Flexible Benefits Plan is now open until November 30. Employees interested in joining the plan can enroll during this time period. The Flexible Benefits enrollment is a separate process from health insurance enrollment. Employees who already participate in the flexible benefits plan and want to continue enrollment must re-enroll each year. Forms are available at: http://flexiblebenefits.tennessee.edu.

About Partnership Health and Dental Insurance

UT employees who did not elect coverage upon their employment may do so during this open enrollment. Certain monthly fees will apply, however, for late application and must be paid through December 2013, unless a qualifying event has occurred to necessitate coverage.

Employees currently enrolled in one of the health insurance plans and who wish to keep the same coverage options do not need to take any action. However, employees participating in the Partnership PPO insurance plan during calendar year 2011 who failed to satisfy the Promise requirements will automatically be moved to the Standard PPO plan with the same provider for calendar year 2012, unless a new provider is specified.

Some enhancements to coverage options were recently approved by the state and will be effective for calendar year 2012, including:

• Lowering co-pays at convenience clinic and urgent care facilities,
• Limiting out-of-pocket co-pays for in-network primary care and specialist office visits, and
• Inclusion of a new pharmacy maintenance drug tier for ninety-day supplies of certain generic and preferred brand medications purchased at ninety-day network pharmacies or by mail order.

If you have questions, contact the UT System Office of Payroll at (865) 974-5251.

This year’s event will focus on little-known perks and benefits available to UT employees. The event ends at 3:00 p.m.

The fall festival brings together employees from all corners of the Knoxville area and relies on the help of many on- and off-campus volunteers. Many local companies have contributed door prizes, games, and more to this year’s festival. The Office of Finance and Administration is providing a catered lunch, with many university groups and organizations chipping in for prizes and entertainment. One of the most popular events of the festival each year is bingo, which again will feature celebrity callers from around campus and some great prizes.

This year’s event will focus on little-known perks and benefits available to UT employees. The fun kicks off at 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 30, at the TRECS complex. The event ends at 3:00 p.m.

The fall festival brings together employees from all corners of the Knoxville area and relies on the help of many on- and off-campus volunteers. Many local companies have contributed door prizes, games, and more to this year’s festival. The Office of Finance and Administration is providing a catered lunch, with Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek and many university groups and organizations chipping in for prizes and entertainment. One of the most popular events of the festival each year is bingo, which again will feature celebrity callers from around campus and some great prizes.

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the thirty-fourth year of this great UT tradition.

Linda Hendricks

To: Knoxville-area Faculty and Staff
From: Linda Hendricks, Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer

Each year the Autumn in Knoxville fall festival provides our Knoxville-area faculty and staff with the opportunity to kick back and enjoy a day of fun and camaraderie with co-workers. I hope that each of you make time to join us for the 34th year of this UT tradition from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, at the TRECS complex. The event theme this year is little-known employee perks and benefits that will be of interest to all.

Human Resources hosts the Autumn in Knoxville fall festival each year as a way of thanking the more than 8,000 Knoxville-area employees who serve the university. The event is the end result of many areas of campus working together to show appreciation for all of your hard work.

As in previous years, the festival will feature music, give-aways, door prizes, games, and more. One of the most popular events of the fall festival each year is bingo, which features celebrity callers from around campus and some great prizes. The Office of Finance and Administration is providing a catered lunch, with Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek and many university groups and organizations chipping in for prizes and entertainment.

I hope that you are able to join us on September 30 for what is sure to be a fun and memorable day spent with co-workers.

Linda Hendricks
UT Chief Human Resources Officer
UT Knoxville Vice Chancellor for Human Resources

This all-day conference features discussions and presentations aimed at helping UT employees succeed in today’s fast-paced administrative world. Hosted by Employee and Organizational Development, the seminar provides networking opportunities and the chance to evaluate personal and career goals.

The $95 registration fee covers conference materials, lunch, and parking. Registration is required. Cancellations must be made no less than ten business days before the conference. For more info or to register, call 974-6657.

APS Healthcare sent out notifications to employees with an incomplete status in mid-August. If you believe you met the requirements and still received the letter, you may submit an appeal to APS. The deadline for appeals is Wednesday, August 31.

There are several ways to file the appeal:

1) Call APS at 1-888-741-3390. The call center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

2) E-mail your appeal to APS at webform@bytesofknowledge.com.

3) Fax your appeal to APS at the following number: 1-877-797-6915.

4) Mail your appeal to the following address (must be postmarked by August 31):

APS Healthcare
P.O. Box 682326
Franklin, TN 37067

All appeals will be reviewed by APS Healthcare’s Appeals Department in accordance with standards established by the State of Tennessee Insurance Administration.

Due to the process established by the State of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee will not know the status of its employees until mid-September. If you are unsure of your status, you must call APS Healthcare at 1-888-741-3390.

The honorees hold a wide variety of jobs in units ranging from athletics to development and from UT Extension to Hodges Library. Some of those recognized have worked at UT for forty years or more.

“The commitment these men and women have shown to UT is commendable, and it is essential to the university’s mission,” DiPietro said. “I feel fortunate to work with so many dedicated colleagues.”

Visit the Service Awards website to view a sampling of stories that showcase some of UT’s long-serving employees: Bruce Delaney, Ken Goddard, Jim Neel, and Bud Ford, all with forty years or more of service; and Rita Smith and Anna Montgomery, both with thirty years or more of service.

Supervisors in every college, department, and office will be asked to attend. An e-mail with the schedule will be sent to all supervisors. Training will focus on CAB’s purpose and upcoming initiatives, including implementation of the minimum starting pay rate increase for regular full- and part-time employees to $8.50 an hour, effective July 1.

Each supervisor will be required to meet with his/her employees after completing the training to discuss CAB’s efforts at addressing compensation across the university and how these efforts will impact employees.

The increase in the minimum starting pay rate was the first recommendation by CAB, an ongoing group that will continue to examine compensation issues. Additional work is being done to address compensation policies, job evaluations, competitive salaries and benefits, employee development and recruitment and retention.

For more information about CAB, visit http://humanresources.tennessee.edu/cab/.

The open enrollment period for the long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan offered through the University of Tennessee begins Monday, March 28. Recent changes have resulted not only in improved benefits but also lower in premiums for current participants and for eligible employees who wish to join the plan during the enrollment period, which ends May 2. If you are currently enrolled in the LTD insurance plan and are not changing your level of coverage, you do not need to complete any additional forms. During open enrollment, those not currently covered and those who would like to change their level of coverage may do so.

Regular full- and part-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work at least 75 percent time are eligible to enroll and should have received detailed information about the changes in the university’s LTD insurance plan from the Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential). Information meetings with Prudential, UT Human Resources, and plan representatives are scheduled statewide between Monday, March 28, and Tuesday, April 5.

Knoxville-area employees may take advantage of information sessions in the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center Auditorium on Monday and Tuesday, April 4 and 5. Monday’s session will be from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Tuesday’s session will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

For more information on UT’s LTD insurance plan, or if you need plan information, call UT HR at 946-8847 or 1-888-444-8847. Additional information is available here.