The Reporter: Oct 1994, Vol.5, No.3
Personnel News

Employee Orientation

The Human Resources office plans to restructure employee orientation to focus more on staff assimilation.

"Our goal is to welcome new employees to the medical center by addressing common concerns in a more comprehensive orientation program that goes beyond a recitation of benefits," says Sybil Williams, assistant vice president for human resources. "We want to address issues such as security, transportation, and services available in the neighborhood. We urge current employees to recommend the kind of information that should be provided to new employees.

"We want new employees to feel a part of the entire enterprise rather than just their department so that they can appreciate more fully the opportunities available to individuals who join the medical center. For example, we plan to include highlights of research being conducted at CPMC as well as scientific milestones that helped to build a reputation for this institution."

Ms. Williams anticipates it will take three to six months to develop the new orientation program.

Health Plan Enrollment

The number of people converting to Oxford for medical coverage has increased. Enrollment is up to 57 percent, a net increase of 2.5 percent over last year. Open enrollment ended July 1.

"Both new and existing employees are opting to switch to the Oxford plan as time goes on," says Sybil Williams. The most dramatic change is seen in the shift from Aetna: 17.5 percent of eligible employees enrolled with Aetna this year, compared with 19.2 percent last year.

A small decline was seen in the number of employees waiving benefits: 13.1 percent selected a payment in lieu of benefits this year compared with 13.8 percent in 1993. HMOs were chosen by 11.9 percent, up slightly from the 11.5 percent who chose HMOs last year.

Supporting Staff Open Enrollment

The open enrollment period for supporting staff employees is Oct. 1-31. During this period, staff may enroll in or make changes to their benefits plans. The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 1995.

The annual benefits fair will be Oct. 13 and 14 in the Riverview Lounge on the fourth floor of the Hammer Health Sciences Center. Supporting staff employees are encouraged to visit the benefits fair, featuring representatives of medical insurance carriers, to obtain information about insurance options and ask questions of the representatives.

Holiday Changes

University holidays for December have changed. The University-designated holiday linked to the Christmas holiday observance is now Tuesday, Dec. 27, instead of Friday, Dec. 23. Other December holidays are Monday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Dec. 30.