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In this Issue
The performance evaluation process involves a manager reviewing the results of staff’s annual goals and how they demonstrated expected competencies throughout the year, then obtaining their manager’s approval, and finally holding performance discussions with employees.
Make sure you are meeting these due dates:
- Managers should put the final touches on evaluations and submit them in Perform for each direct report by Nov. 13.
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The task of reviewing and approving the evaluation will then be assigned to the next-level manager in Perform. The due date for manager approvals is Nov. 20.
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Performance discussions with employees are due Dec. 6.
- Employees must sign off on their evaluation by Dec. 11.
LOD is offering a virtual, instructor-led class tomorrow for managers and supervisors that will help them examine skills required to lead a hybrid staff, facilitate remote meetings that engage staff, and ways to manage off-site employees’ results. Participants will also learn communication channels that support productivity, accountability, and connection with their staff.
Supervising and Staying Connected with your Virtual Teams
Managers and supervisors
Friday, Nov. 12, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Webex
For teleworking employees, LOD's other offering will help participants enhance their skills and confidence in getting and staying organized, increasing productivity, and connecting to coworkers and customers. Participants will understand the common challenges in remote work environments, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and communicate in more clear and proactive ways.
Still Remote: Staying Successful in a Remote Work Environment
Thursday, Dec. 2, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Webex
To enroll in either class:
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Go to Learn.
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If you have a Council-issued email address, go to the Talent Hub page on MetNet and click Learn. Then click "Employee with an email address."
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If you do not, go to https://metc.sumtotal.host, click the "Employee without an email address" button, and sign in with your Learn username and password.
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Click the library book icon at the top of the page, locate “A-Learning Institute,” and click the arrow pointing to the right.
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Click “LOD Classes Open for Registration.”
- Locate the class and register.
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The final 2021 claim submission deadline is Dec. 1. Purchases made in 2021 cannot be processed in 2022 due to IRS rules. This means if you make a purchase between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31 it will not be eligible for reimbursement. So, either make your purchase in November or wait until January.
Trade Time for Fitness is a health and wellness program that allows you to trade in your annual leave hours to receive up to $2,000 (gross) per payroll year in reimbursements for eligible health and wellness-related expenses, and now includes additional eligible home office items.
This temporary exception to include home office items will be in effect until official notice is given – likely through the COVID-19 pandemic while some employees must work from home. Eligible purchases are limited to home office items outlined below:
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Office desks
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Sit/stand desks
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Office chairs
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Task/desk lighting
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Keyboards
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Mice
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Monitors
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Headsets/headphones
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Web cameras
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Cables
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Laptop power supplies
- Computer speakers
Other computer equipment, docking stations, mousepads, and similar Council-provided items are not eligible for reimbursement. These items are brought home from work offices and requested through the ITR process with Information Services.
As a reminder, Information Services does not provide technical support for personally owned equipment, regardless of if it's purchased through Trade Time For Fitness or connected to Council computers.
All Met Council employees are invited to the annual employee recognition event on Monday, Nov. 15. The event will honor staff for all they’ve contributed over the past year and throughout their careers with the Met Council.
Annual employee recognition event
All employees are invited
Monday, Nov. 15, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Microsoft Teams
Like last year, due to the pandemic the 2021 event will be presented online and will be open to all employees. If you did not receive an email invitation or would like more information, please email Paula Crane at Paula.Crane@metc.state.mn.us. If you cannot attend live, a recording of the event will be posted for later viewing.
Staff are being recognized with performance and service awards in dozens of categories, including years of service at the Met Council, equity and inclusion initiatives, and division-specific honors. Speakers include Chair Charlie Zelle, Regional Administrator Mary Bogie, Human Resources Director Marcy Syman, and leaders of each of our divisions.
A PDF of the program with a full list of this year's honorees will be posted during the event.
Open Enrollment for your 2022 benefit elections will end at 8 p.m. next Friday. That's just 8 days away. Have you considered yet which plans and combinations of benefits are best for you?
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make any desired changes to your coverage and enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for next year. You won't be able to make any changes or sign up for an FSA (health, dependent care/daycare, or parking) after Nov. 19.
Review all your benefit plans and options and enroll online today.
If you've already completed your Open Enrollment, congratulations! If you don't want to change your benefits or enroll in an FSA plan for 2022, no further action is required – your current elections, excluding FSA, will carry forward. However, we recommend that you still go online and read the information about your plans and options, so you're able to make the best choice for you and your family.
Check out these resources for more information:
Can't find the packets you received in the mail? Download these digital copies:
Questions? Call the Council Benefits-One line at 651-602-1601, email Benefits@metc.state.mn.us, or attend an upcoming virtual info session (full schedule and a recording on MetNet).
If you're not going to use some of your annual leave, or your accumulated leave is at the max, you can convert a portion of it to the Met Council's deferred compensation plan through the Minnesota State Retirement System.
You can do this two ways:
- Submit your Annual Leave Conversion to Deferred Compensation form to Payroll by Dec. 13 to be included in 2021 income.
- Submit the above form to Payroll by Dec. 30 for the Jan. 21, 2022, pay date if you'd like your converted leave to be considered as 2022 income but want to reduce your 2021 annual leave accruals.
If you have any questions, email Payroll@metc.state.mn.us.
Human Resources and Bus Transportation are hosting two hiring events for full-time bus operators this month at the Metro Transit Instruction Center, 725 7th Street North, Minneapolis.
Candidates can apply online prior to the event and interview on Tuesday or Saturday. They can also apply and interview at the event either day. Assistance will be available onsite for anyone who needs help completing an application online.
Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Tell your neighbors and friends about this opportunity. There is a $1,000 hiring bonus for new operators and a $600 employee referral bonus. Visit MetroTransit.org for more information.
There’s always a place for treats this holiday season. Try this festive recipe, provided by Omada, that is pleasantly sweet but not overloaded with sugar.
Homemade Chocolate Bark:
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1 pound (454g) dark chocolate, 70% cacao or higher (chocolate chips work great)
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¾ cup nuts of your choice, chopped (suggested: walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts)
- ¼ cup dried fruit of your choice, chopped (suggested: cherries, cranberries, apricots, or raspberries)
Directions:
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Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a double boiler, melt chocolate over low heat until smooth.
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Remove from heat and use a rubber spatula to evenly spread chocolate over parchment-lined pan.
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Immediately sprinkle chocolate with nuts and chopped dried fruit.
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Let cool slightly, then freeze for about 2 hours or until solid. Once frozen, remove from the freezer and break into pieces (roughly 25).
Omada helps you gain energy and improve your overall health, all with a simple app. We’ll match you with a health coach you can message anytime, anywhere!
See if you’re eligible for Omada in just one minute at OmadaHealth.com/MetCouncil. For more details on this program, visit the MetNet page.
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