Take Your Goals to the Next Level!

By Jordan Groebner, Training Director
The next round of training courses is in full-swing! Visit the HR Training and Development Information Hub for training solutions and review the DPS Annual Training Bulletin. Professional development options are free for public safety employees. Courses run through June 2023.

Extend your learning

Microsoft Excel classes are on the training calendar.  For beginner to advanced learners, instructor-led Excel classes will help you solidify your skills. To further support your work, completion of an Excel class makes you eligible to receive a LinkedIn Learning license for continued development. 

LinkedIn Learning is one of the largest online platforms in the world. It offers over 15,000 on-demand courses, taught by industry experts, in areas such as: business software and tools, project management, customer service and leadership skills. 

LinkedIn Learning Library is open for use

We have acquired a limited number of learning licenses that may be “checked-out” for employee use. LinkedIn Learning empowers you to develop and refine professional skills at your own pace. Licenses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Supervisor approval must be granted for use during paid work hours.

Contact Jordan Groebner at jordan.groebner@state.mn.us for training questions or assistance.

2023 Statewide Open Enrollment

Open enrollment begins Oct. 27 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 16. Materials are now available via State Employer Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website: https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/.  The website contains:

• Instructional videos
• Printed resources to help with the election of benefits
• Primary care clinic directory
• Benefit rate guide for 2023 benefit year
• Retirement section for current retirees and potential retirees

The SEGIP Newsletter has been mailed directly to employee homes.

Employees can make elections for benefits online via the employee self-service beginning Oct. 27 by signing in and clicking on Benefits then Benefits Enrollment.

Employee WebEx meetings

No pre-registration needed.

• Monday, Oct. 31, 1–2:30p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 2, 10– 11:30a.m

Sign up for text message reminders by texting “MNSEGIP” to 66468. Current subscribers are auto transitioned to the new text number. Message rates apply and you can reply “STOP” to end messages.

Questions on benefits? Contact the SEGIP Call Center at 651-355-0100 or 800-664-3597. The call center is available Oct. 3 – Nov. 18. The hours are 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note that the call center is:

• Unavailable on weekends
• Closed Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
• Extending hours on Nov. 16 to 7a.m.–7p.m.

 Waiving health insurance? Waiver Form must be received by November 16 before midnight (the end of the Statewide Open Enrollment). Watch for emails detailing what’s open for benefit year 2023 from Chris Johnson.

Take Time to Vote

State policy guarantees employees who are eligible to vote will be granted paid time to vote.  In order to use paid time to vote, employees must:

• Vote on the day of the election. Voting on a day other than Election Day is not covered.
• The amount of time granted is limited to the time necessary to appear at the polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work (if not voting at the end of the work day).  The amount of “necessary” time may be impacted by voter turnout and commute time.
• Must make prior arrangements with their supervisor to minimize disruptions to the workplace.

Supervisors may schedule voting leave time throughout the work day to ensure adequate staffing levels.

Reporting Incidents of Workplace Violence

By Doug Thies, Safety Director

The Department of Public Safety has zero tolerance for workplace violence and works to achieve a work environment that is free from threats and acts of violence.  Under DPS Policy No. 1001, DPS Workplace Violence Prohibited Policy, employees are strongly encouraged to report if they are subject to or witness threatening or violent behavior, or warning signs of violent behavior, in the workplace, that affects the workplace, or that may affect the employee. 

Reporting procedures

While emergency situations should continue to be reported immediately to 911, employees may report non-emergency situations through the following process: 

• Access the DPS intranet and locate the Forms page;
• Search for the word “Violence” and you will find DPS Violence Report Form;
• Complete the form, save a copy for yourself and email a copy to report.a.threat.dps@state.mn.us.

DPS empowers all employees and third parties to report threats using their own discretion. Good faith reports, even if later determined to be a non-threat, are protected and will not result in adverse outcomes for the reporter.  Anyone who knowingly files a false report, however, will be held responsible under the policy. 

Let’s work together to ensure DPS continues to be a safe place for employees and customers.

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Extended Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF)

PSLF is a federal program that forgives federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments, or 10 years of qualifying payments, for government and public service employees.  As state employees, your student loans may be eligible for forgiveness.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced a one-time, short-term waiver of some of the requirements, allowing qualifying borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify.  The deadline to apply for this waiver is 10:59 p.m. Oct. 31.  Details can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

Applicants for the waiver must submit to their loan servicer an employer certification form completed by them and their Human Resources department.  To facilitate completion of the employer certification form, please follow these steps:

• Print pages 1 and 2 of the employer certification form.
• Complete page 1 and sign at the bottom with an ink signature, putting all dates in the MM/DD/YYYY format. 
• Send only pages 1 and 2 to catherine.schaefer@state.mn.us. Allow 3 business days for HR to complete the form and return it to you. 

Student loan debt relief

Your federal student loans may also qualify for debt relief.  To learn if your student loans qualify, or apply, visit the U.S. DOE website.  Deadline to apply is December 31, 2023.

Have a Work-Related Question?  Check out the DPS Intranet

For answers to work-related questions, start with the DPS Employee Intranet! This is the go-to site for DPS employees and supervisors to find information, current news and events, forms, and important links.  You can even check out the Human Resources page to find out who your HR subject matter expert is. 

November Is National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month recognizes the dedication of family members who provide round-the-clock care to loved ones. When medical conditions demand attention, family step into roles they are often unprepared to accept. They become caregivers instead of partners or friends.

HOW TO OBSERVE

• During November, consider providing a respite for someone you know who provides care for a loved one. Offer to spend time with them or to learn to help out. Ask what you can do to make a difference.
• If you provide care for a family member, contact LeaveMgmt.DPS@state.mn.us to see if you may be eligible for Family Medical Leave or other contractual leave.