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Colleagues,
As 2008 comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done this year. As we look back at our accomplishments, it has been a remarkably successful year under extraordinary circumstances.
At this time a year ago, we had just introduced our restructuring initiatives and the restructuring team. Today we can claim successful implementation of most of those initiatives:
The new organization is now nearly fully staffed and beginning to transition the work to the new units. By early next year, we expect to be up and running.
The UCOP-UCSF HR affiliation is well underway, with a number of new staff in place and UCSF beginning to provide some services to UCOP employees.
The SMG Policy initiative continues to present compensation and related policies to Regents for discussion and approval.
While we have completed our work for the Retirement Administration and Retiree Health RFP, there is still no final decision on what direction this will take. I know this must be difficult for those of you who work in the affected areas as you continue to work with uncertainty. I thank you, in particular, for your continued hard work and service to UC employees and retirees, and I pledge to do whatever I can to bring closure to this initiative as soon as possible and to continue to keep you informed.
While the restructuring has been in the forefront through most of the year, it has not been our only accomplishment. Here are just a few of your many achievements for the year:
- Launched the Learning Management System
- Finalized a new policy on rehired retirees
- Received approval for major changes to service credit buybacks
- Implemented a new START program
- Finalized a new funding policy for UCRP
- Successfully negotiated new labor contracts
- Upgraded our online applications
- Developed new At Your Service website for departmental administrators
- Launched the UC Living Well program systemwide
- Implemented new vision plan for retirees
- Engaged new vendors for the Flexible Spending Account
- Completed another smooth and successful Open Enrollment
- Continued to deliver high quality service to our employees and retirees
I find most gratifying your ability to continue to be hard working, flexible and creative in the midst of so much change—not only the restructuring, but also the departure of Judy Boyette, the loss of good friends and colleagues to retirement and job changes, and the uncertainty of these economic times both personally and for the University. I realize that some of you do not have a position in our new department, which makes this a particularly unsettling time. I encourage you to continue to look for opportunities that fit with your career plans. In the meantime, stay alert to the resources available in UCOP and HR.
You have made so many positive contributions to HRB and the University community. On behalf of the HRB leadership, I thank you. Now it is time to relax and rejuvenate, as we will need everyone’s effort to convert our vision of a high-functioning HR department to reality. The New Year will have plenty of challenges, old and new, but it will also provide us with opportunities to build new relationships, work in new ways with new as well as familiar colleagues.
With warm wishes,
John
John Cammidge
Acting Associate Vice President
Human Resources and Benefits