The March 2024 issue of the HR Source newsletter is out now! Learn about the 2023 Employee Recognition Reception and explore resources for celebrating International Women’s Day 2024. Also find reminders and information from the Benefits unit; review updates from the Modernization team; and explore featured learning opportunities.

In the March issue you’ll find more information on the following topics:

2023 Employee Recognition Reception

The Employee Recognition Reception is an annual, system-wide celebration to recognize the contributions of faculty and staff at Washington State University. The 2023 celebration was held on February 20, 2024, and honored approximately 855 WSU employees who reached milestone years of service or received the Crimson Spirit Award in 2023.

The event spanned across 8 campuses system-wide, those being Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Everett, Vancouver and the addition of the Mount Vernon, Puyallup and Wenatchee Extension Centers; with over 300 people attending in total. This year we had eight 45-year honorees, seventeen 40-year honorees, one 55-year and twelve Crimson Spirit Award recipients recognized during the reception. View photos from the event and videos that showcase some of this year’s honorees.

International Women’s Day 2024: #InspireInclusion

Six illustrations of women making heart signs with the text Happy International Women's Day.

International Women’s History Month has evolved into a way of commemorating how far women have progressed in society, politics, and economics. Its purpose is to recognize and honor women’s accomplishments, increase awareness of women’s equality, and push for gender equity. While it spans the entire month, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, is often considered a focal point of the month-long observance. The 2024 campaign theme is to #InspireInclusion. We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. Collective activism is what drives change. Find things you can do to truly make a positive difference in the March newsletter.

Workday Updates

Learn more about the following updates in the March newsletter:

Benefits Updates

Benefit Eligible Employees

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program’s For Your Benefit Newsletter is your source for information and updates about your health benefits. This edition includes information on SmartHealth updates, pediatric dentistry, FSA and DCAP claims reminder, and more.

1095 Tax Forms Will Arrive Soon

If you were eligible for WSU health benefits in 2023, you will be provided with 1095 Form(s) no later than early March 2024. The 1095 Form reports information about your health care coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act. This form may not be needed to file your taxes, but you should keep it with your 2023 tax documentation. More information is available on the HRS Affordable Care Act-Form 1095 website and the IRS Heath Care Information Forms website. For additional help or guidance, please consult a qualified tax advisor.

WellCoug Highlights

Benefit-eligible WSU employees have a variety of health and fitness discounts available to them through the EAP and medical insurance plans. Learn more about what’s offered and how to take advantage at Employee Health & Fitness Discounts. Find more information about National Nutrition Month and Diabetes Alert Day, March 26.

Learning and Organizational Development

Announcing Bite-Size Book Club!

Book cover of The Power of Understanding Yourself.

Just in time for March’s celebration of National Reading Month, Learning and Organizational Development is excited for the launch of Bite-Size Book Club! It’s not just about reading, the Bite-Size Book Club is about embracing change and nurturing a community committed to continuous improvement and self-discovery. Each title is thoughtfully selected to stimulate critical thinking, spark meaningful discussions, and inspire. Participants have the opportunity to expand their perspectives, gain valuable insights, and enhance their skills in various aspects of their professional and personal lives. Learn more and register for our Spring Selection in the March newsletter.

New Learning Administrator Locator

Area Learning Administrators are your first point of contact for training-related assistance. With a robust library of resources, including the Learning Administrator Community, and LOD, your area Learning Administrator has all the necessary tools to provide insight, basic Percipio troubleshooting, reporting and completion confirmations, as well as assign area and role-specific training. Unsure who your assigned Area Learning Administrator is? Utilize our new Learning Administrator Look-up tool on the Learning Administrator webpage.

New Courses & Updates!

New! Conflict Resolution Live Course: Understand the five main styles of conflict resolution, the six phases of the resolution process, and the ability to adapt the process for all types of conflicts. Register for the upcoming session scheduled April 30th, 12:30-3:30 pm.  

New! Crucial Accountability Book Review: As a follow-up course to the Crucial Conversations Book Review course (formerly Effective Communications), this companion course is focused on teaching participants how to deal with violated expectations in a way that solves the problem at hand without harming the relationship–and, in fact, even strengthens it. Learn tools for improving relationships in the workplace and in life for resolving all problems–permanently. Register for the upcoming 2-part session,  scheduled May 2, and May 21.

WSU Training for Supervisors Journey: More exciting updates to our supervisor series training! Focusing on enhancing employee experience, and providing added flexibility to your learning journey, we’re excited to share Position Descriptions, Expectations, & Annual Reviews, as well as Corrective Action and Discipline Processes are now available on-demand! Offering our new and established supervisors participating in this series the ability to take these courses at the time and place most convenient for them with refreshed content. We’re looking forward to sharing more updates to WSU Training for Supervisors as they become available- stay tuned!