IU Benefits Video
University Human Resources is pleased to announce the deployment of a web-based video for IU’s employee benefits program. The video is configured for multiple constituencies:
- Applicants
- New employees
- Existing employees
- IU Retirees
- Managers
There are three customized access points: Academic employees, Professional Staff, and Support and Service Staff. The video is available 365/24/7, accessible from anywhere in the world via the Web at hr.iu.edu.
The video provides a higher level of service to candidates and employees, while reducing overhead expenses associated with printed materials and staff time. At their own pace and in their own setting, viewers receive detailed information about these benefit plans and programs:
- Medical and dental plans
- TSB, EAP, tobacco cessation, Eldercare
- Paid time off
- IU Tuition Benefit
- Insurance, LTD, voluntary benefits
- Retirement, TDA, and savings plans
- Pre-tax commuting
- Post-employment benefits
Modifications to the Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act has been modified as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010. The changes are in the areas related to military service.
The “qualifying exigency” leave provisions have been redefined. They now apply to all active duty service members, not just those in the Reserves. But the term active duty now means only duty during deployment to a foreign country. The net result is that the provisions apply to a broader group of people in a more narrowly defined set of circumstances.
The other changes in the Act involve military caregiver leave, expanding the circumstances that qualify for the benefit.
- The provisions for up to six months of job-protected leave to care for an injured or ill service member now include pre-existing injuries or illnesses that were aggravated during the active duty.
- Military caregiver leave now applies to veterans who are receiving treatment up to five years after the end of the active duty for an injury or illness that occurred during—or was aggravated by—the active duty.
The University’s personnel policy for Staff and Hourly employees located at hr.iu.edu has been updated to reflect these changes in federal law.
E-Verify for Federal Contracts
The use of E-Verify to verify employment eligibility for employees working on federal contracts is now the law. After numerous delays, the federal government has implemented the requirement that all employees who work on new federal contracts must have their eligibility to work in the United States confirmed through E-Verify. The new rules apply to federal contracts, not grants.
Indiana University has implemented procedures at hr.iu.edu to ensure compliance with these new regulations.
Identifying Covered Positions
The process begins when Research Administration determines if a federal contract contains the E-Verify requirement. If it does, Research Administration will inform the departmental administrators and the faculty principle investigator of the requirements, with copies to Academic Affairs and Human Resources.
Departmental Responsibilities
For new employees hired to work on the federal contract, the department is to complete the Form I-9 within the existing time limits and fax a copy to one of the following:
- Academic Affairs office for Academic positions.
- Human Resources office for Staff and Hourly positions.
- Departments at Bloomington and all other campuses except IUPUI should fax the completed Form I-9 to either Academic Affairs or Human Resources at Bloomington. Departments at IUPUI should fax the form to Academic Affairs or Human Resources on that campus.
For current employees assigned to work on federal contracts covered by E-Verify, the department is to obtain a new Form I-9 as soon as possible but no later than 25 days of when the employee starts work on the contract. The Form I-9 is to be faxed as described above.
E-Verify does have specific requirements related to the Form I-9. For example, a Social Security number is required and if certain forms are presented, they must be photocopied and attached to the Form I-9. The University’s procedures describe these specific requirements in detail.
Academic Affairs and Human Resources Responsibilities
- The Academic Affairs or Human Resources office will enter the employee’s Form I-9 information into E-Verify and follow its procedures. If E-Verify confirms the employee’s eligibility to work in the United States, the process is complete.
- If the employee’s eligibility is not confirmed, a series of steps are initiated and the employee is given the opportunity to resolve the issue with the Department of Homeland Security or Social Security Administration. During this process, the law requires that the employee be allowed to continue to work. If the employee does not appeal the initial response, or if the conclusion of the appeal is negative, the employee must be separated from Indiana University.
