Focus on Cardinal Rollout is Essential
As we close out the first month of 2021, we are moving closer to the rollout of Release 1 for the Cardinal Human Capital Management System. I cannot overemphasize how complex and challenging this undertaking really is for the Commonwealth.
Your continued efforts and focus on Cardinal HCM are more critical now than ever before. DHRM resources are fully engaged and I ask that you, the HR community, give the same amount of focus and attention to the tasks ahead of you. We will only be successful by working together.
We have a lot of work to do, and it will not all be easy or fun. Let’s challenge ourselves to keep the end in mind. As we replace our legacy systems, let our legacy be how we all came together to make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved. Let this be where we showcase our commitment and professionalism to change - a change that will improve efficiencies, provide better access to information and support the modernization of many HR practices.
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Workforce Management
Our Remote Work Landscape
Earlier this month, executive branch agencies were asked to complete a brief survey to gauge the extent to which agencies are utilizing remote work options to ensure continuity of government as part of the Commonwealth’s response to COVID-19. We asked how many have full- and part-time time remote workers, and how many must continue to have employees work on-site. We thank the 69 agencies that participated and would like to share the results. These estimates helped us respond to inquiries from the General Assembly and state government executives and may be useful to the HR Community.
Most agencies are utilizing a combination of options based on lines of business and individual employee job duties. Of those responding:
• 97 percent have employees who telework on a full-time basis. • 84 percent have employees who telework 1-3 days per week. • 90 percent have employees who work onsite full-time.
Approximately 54 percent of the respondents are actively engaged in discussions or are working on plans to return remote workers to the work site when it is appropriate to do so.
Tax Relief: Exceptional Recruitment/Retention Bonuses for Student Loan Repayments
The CARES Act, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides some tax relief to employees for payments made by their employers toward their student loan debts. Employees who received student loan repayments as Exceptional Recruitment or Retention bonuses between March 27 and December 31, 2020, may not have to pay taxes on up to $5,250 of their bonus amount. This tax break has now been extended for five years. No funding is provided by the Act to employers to make student loan repayments. Additional details forthcoming in a DOA Payroll Bulletin.
Upcoming I-9/e-Verify Webinar
Mark your calendars! We've scheduled another session with Dave Basham, the U.S.C.I.S. representative, who untangles the federal requirements for completing I-9 forms and using e-Verify. The coming session will review the changes/updates to Form I-9 and E-Verify due to COVID as they stand the day of the webinar. Have your questions ready! Dave will have the answers!
• Thursday, February 18, 2021, 10:00 AM. • No need to pre-register. Log in about 10 minutes prior to the session.
Please share this opportunity with interested staff members.
2021 Legislation
The 2021 General Assembly session is underway with a number of bills of interest to human resource professionals. At this time, DHRM has been designated as the lead agency for HB1754, HB1891, and HB2140. We are also closely monitoring and providing impact statements for numerous paid leave, employment, and Workers’ Compensation bills.
Following crossover, we will provide a list of bills that if passed, could impact state human resource programs. Please reach out to your agency legislative liaison for information about any legislation that could impact your individual agency’s mission or operations.
VRS Financial Wellness Program
If your agency employees are overwhelmed by money issues, but don’t know where to begin, encourage them to try the myVRS Financial Wellness Start Here Guide on managing financial stress. This online guide helps employees assess and track their spending, then offers tips and strategies on how to take proactive steps to cut expenses and grow their income. Employees can log in at https://myVRS.varetire.org and select Financial Wellness to access an entire online curriculum of financial wellness courses, videos, articles and budgeting tools.
Cardinal Countdown to Release 1
As we welcome the New Year, we also begin the countdown to Release 1 of the Cardinal HCM project on March 31, 2021. More on this significant transition.
HuRMan Portal: Multi-Factor Authentication
DHRM has implemented Multi-Factor Authentication on the existing HuRMan portal. This is the first step in preparation of the SecurePass 2.0 implementation, which will be a phased rollout beginning in February to all existing HuRMan users. More...
Comings and Goings...
Office of Health Benefits: Chrystal Briggs has joined DHRM as a Health Benefits Specialist. She will serve on the Employee/Retiree Services Team, supporting agency Benefits Administrators in program administration, handling employee concerns, and coordinating the process for both claims and administrative appeals. Chrystal has worked in health insurance for over 25 years, bringing significant health benefits knowledge and experience to the position. Welcome, Chrystal!
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Office of Workforce Engagement: Welcome to Navodita Varma, new DEI Consultant in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office. A senior human resources professional with more than 18 years of experience, she began her career in India and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. Her areas of specialization include Diversity and Inclusion and Affirmative Action/EEO compliance.
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Office of Workforce Engagement: Please join DHRM in also welcoming William Brazier, a DEI Specialist. Prior to 29 years in Virginia public education, William served as a public interest think tank analyst in Washington, D.C. and in state government in Boston, Mass. He is an author, a designer of social science curricula, and a professional developer in instruction--specifically for Equity & Inclusion and Project-Based Learning.
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