Category: February 2021

Fiscal Services revamped its training structure and replaced the “Fiscal Orientations” with “Fiscal Administration Sessions” which includes updated information and reorganized content, to better fit the changing culture of Mason. Please review the training website for descriptions. 

Upon completion of the Fiscal Administration Program employees will have a basic understanding of Fiscal policies, procedures, and financial systems. This program is the first step in becoming a Fiscal Administration professional at Mason. We encourage employees to build upon this program by engaging with our Fiscal Support and Connections Network, reviewing the Month is Closed memo, and attending supplemental trainings, Lunch n Learns, and drop-in hours. 

 

The Mason Finance Gateway is scheduled to go live in February 2021 and will replace the current Travel Request System (TRS) and most manual reimbursement forms (Food and Beverage reimbursement, Payment Requests for reimbursement). The mandatory online navigation training is now available in Mason Leaps. To access the training go to Mason Leaps and login with your NetID and password. Locate the training under the “Required Training” tab. Click on the link to complete this training before February 15, 2021. Please refer to the Training Guide for assistance. 
   
Important information about the Gateway, an overview of benefits, what to expect, and resources to get started are available here.

 

 

Outstanding Achievement Awards 2021: Call for Nominations

Nominate your colleague for one of 14 Outstanding Achievement Awards!

The Outstanding Achievement Awards honor Mason’s faculty and staff across many award categories and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the university. You are invited to nominate a colleague for an award by the deadline of March 5, 2021.

Please visit the Outstanding Achievement Awards website for more details, and note that the departmental awards may have different deadlines.

The Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony is scheduled for April 13, 2021, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Location TBD.

Questions? Contact awards@gmu.edu. 

Employee of the Month Nominations

Do you work with an incredible Mason administrative/professional faculty member, classified staff member, or wage employee who goes the extra mile, collaborates with their colleagues, and supports the university?

Nominate them for Mason’s Employee of the Month award! Additional information can be found on the Employee of the Month page.

If you have questions, contact awards@gmu.edu.

“This? Or That?” Well-Being Game

Would you choose this? Or that? Join the fun with your colleagues on HR & Payroll’s Instagram stories by playing the limited-time well-being game, “This? Or That?”

Each Thursday for eight weeks, we will post well-being-themed polls that put your favorite well-being options against each other.

Visit our Instagram stories every Thursday to join the fun and maybe get some well-being ideas! Play at @GMUHRandPayroll!

Mindful Mondays Offered by Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is offering Mindful Mondays, which are classes designed to help you combat stress and build resilience.

Offered to members and non-members alike, upcoming sessions include topics like Stress and Emotional Eating and Getting Healthy Sleep.

Please see the flyer for more information and registration.

Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.

Well-Being Wednesdays by Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is offering Well-Being Wednesdays, which are a series of health education classes designed to help you build your overall physical and emotional well-being. This program is offered to Kaiser Permanente members and non-members alike.

Upcoming sessions include topics like Get Moving and Keeping a Healthy Heart.

For more information and to register, please see the flyer.

Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.

Supervisor Boot Camp

Register for Supervisor Boot Camp! This is a program designed to provide essential information, resources, and contacts to supervisors who are new to Mason or new to supervising.

The updated, virtual format includes five three-hour sessions, over 10 weeks, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. beginning Thursday, February 11 through Thursday, April 8. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom.

Participants must supervise at least one employee. Space is limited and registrations are first come, first served.

Please contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu to reserve your space.

New Discounts

Make sure you frequently check the Mason Discounts page to see the discounts you receive as a Mason employee.

We recently added new discounts including:

• AVIS Car Rental
• BUDGET Car Rental
• HERTZ Car Rental
• Hotels.com
• Corporate Shopping Employee Discounts

Fidelity 1-on-1 Consultation Sessions

Fidelity will continue to host virtual or telephone 1-on-1 consultation sessions through March 2021. During the sessions, Ron Seegers, the Fidelity Retirement Planner, can address your retirement plan questions and concerns, review your investment strategy and portfolio allocation, and discuss retirement planning or other related topics. Upon request, the consultant can also produce annuity income projections.

Virtual/Telephone 1-on-1 consultations are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates:

• February 16 and 26
• March 11 and 26

Go to www.fidelity.com/reserve to reserve your appointment.

TIAA Financial Seminars

Looking to learn more about your finances?

TIAA is hosting several financial well-being seminars. Check out the flyer to learn more.

Compensatory Leave Reminder

Have you earned compensatory leave? Make sure you are aware of the compensatory leave limits and expirations:

• Employees are limited to 96 hours of accrued compensatory leave
• Per State Policy 3.10, accrued compensatory leave expires one year from the pay period in which the hours are accrued, regardless of the 96-hour limit
• Compensatory leave may not be used once hours expire or lapse

You can review your leave balance by visiting Patriot Web. If you have questions, please email payroll@gmu.edu.