The end of the year is fast approaching and your partners in Human Resource Services (HRS) and Employee Wellness are focused on your health and wellbeing during this busy season. Now is the time for you to review benefits, including your flexible spending account balances, and plan opportunities for work-life balance. There’s a lot to think about so here are some important reminders to help keep you on track.
Open Enrollment for 2023 benefits is now open through December 2. This is the only time of year to elect, re-enroll, or change benefits for the upcoming year. Details about benefits, costs, and how to enroll or change benefits are posted on the Benefits website, in the Open Enrollment Guide (pdf), and in the previous 2023 Open Enrollment announcement. We ask that employees take some time to review benefits and submit new elections or changes for the upcoming year no later than the end of day December 2.
Flexible Spending Plan Deadlines. Employees currently enrolled in Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans (health care or dependent care) for 2022, with an unspent balance remaining, must submit claims for expenses incurred during the 2022 plan year by March 31, 2023. Federal law requires any unused funds remaining in your account to be forfeited at the end of the year, except for up to $570 of unused health care funds which can rollover into 2023. It’s important to review balances now, plan for expenses, and limit forfeited amounts. Visit the Flexible Spending Accounts webpage for more information on eligible expenses, how to make a claim, and to check balances.
The Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair. Join us at the Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair on November 16, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Davis Center, Silver Maple Ballroom (4th floor). This annual event is the perfect opportunity for employees to talk with UVM benefits advisors and health and wellness partners about benefits and resources to improve and sustain health and work-life balance. In addition to fun giveaways, hot cocoa, and raffle prizes, this event has a limited number of flu vaccines available through UVMMC. Registration for a flu shot is required. This year, The Edge, a UVM Employee Wellness partner, will also be there to offer employees free Well-Checks featuring a biometric screening of cholesterol and blood glucose levels, InBody scan of fat and muscle mass, and follow-ups with a registered dietician. Sign-up for your Well-Check and visit the Employee Wellness website for more program details.
Employee Wellness is offering a variety of unique and helpful programs to stay focused on personal wellbeing during the holidays including:
- Are the Holidays Stressful? November 18 at 12:00 p.m. This is a convenient virtual 30-minute meditation and mindfulness program offered in partnership with The Edge. Interested employees are asked to log-in to learn simple techniques to reduce holiday stress and practice loving kindness this holiday season.
- Chair Yoga for Neck & Shoulders. December 9 at 12:00 p.m. If you’re feeling tense in the neck and shoulder area you’re not alone. That’s where a lot of people carry their stress. Join The Edge for another quick virtual program to learn how to relieve that uncomfortable and unnecessary tension. More information and log-in is located on the Wellness website.
The entire Fall 2022 Employee Wellness calendar (pdf) can be found on the Programs & Events webpage including information about upcoming fitness classes, webinars, headspace memberships, and wellness news and resources.
As always, Human Resource Services is your connection to important employment-focused news, programs, and events. Also, make sure to check Inside UVM for future updates on open enrollment and other HRS news.