Do you have questions about the revised layoff policy? Are you wondering about health care rates for 2012? Did you know that UC is expanding its family friendly programs?

Dwaine Duckett, UC’s vice president for Human Resources, will answer faculty and staff questions on those and other topics Monday (Oct. 24) during a conversation on the Web with Penny Herbert, staff adviser to the Board of Regents, and Ravinder Singh, chair of the Council of UC Staff Assemblies.

This is a great opportunity for faculty and staff to talk with and ask questions of VP Duckett about a number of important employee issues. Specific items to be covered include:

• The revised layoff policy
• Health insurance premiums for 2012
• Future UC Retirement Plan contributions
• UC’s new family friendly programs

The idea for the Web chat originated with the staff advisers: Herbert, manager, Department of Clinical Operations, UC Davis Health System; and Kevin Smith (staff adviser-designate), chief financial and compliance officer, UCLA.

"During our campus visits, staff have sought clarity about the policy-covered staff merit program and expressed concern towards the cost escalation trend of your health care benefits, in addition to your expressed concerns about PPSM 60 (Layoff and Reduction in Time from Professional and Support Staff Career Positions)," Herbert and Smith said in a recent newsletter.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Web chat with Dwaine Duckett, UC vice president for Human Resources; Penny Herbert, UC staff adviser to the Board of Regents; and Ravinder Singh, chair of the Council of UC Staff Assemblies

WHEN: 1-2 p.m. Monday (Oct. 24)

WHERE: Online, at ustream.tv/ucevents

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

• In advance — Please use the staff advisers' What's On Your Mind website.
• During the Web chat — You must create a Ustream account. This is a simple process that takes about a minute. Sign up for an account here. Creating a Ustream account is not required to view the webcast.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: UCOP recommends the following:

• A high-speed (broadband) Internet connection (1.5mbps/sec or greater)
• Speakers and-or headphones to listen to audio

UCOP has tested the stream and chat with the following Internet browsers:

• Internet Explorer 8 and 9*
• Firefox 3
• Safari 5
• Google Chrome

*Note: People who try to create a Ustream account using Internet Explorer 7 may encounter problems. We recommend using Firefox or Internet Explorer 8 to create an account. An account is required only if you wish to participate in the chat session; otherwise, you may view the webcast without participating in the Web chat.