Category: Mailroom Questions

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear at MSU Human Resources. Have a question you’d like considered for mailroom Monday? Just e-mail it to HRmail@msu.edu with “Mailroom Monday” in the subject line!

Hiring Resources at HR.MSU.EDU

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The Human Resources website is undergoing some changes that we hope will help us better serve you. In the meantime, did you know there are some great hiring resources available on the site?

For support staff hiring, there are tips for writing your posting for advertising, affirmative-action goals and the all-important interview questions. You can find these resources and more at http://www.hr.msu.edu/hiring/staffhiring/. If you’re looking for the Employee Handbook it is at http://www.hr.msu.edu/documents/ss_employee_handbook.  With today’s changing work force, a great option is Flexible Scheduling, but how do you find out if it is right for you or a member of your staff? Visit http://www.hr.msu.edu/flex/ to find out.Continue Reading… Hiring Resources at HR.MSU.EDU

Is Telecommuting an Option for Me?

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In the 21st century workplace, certain jobs and tasks can be executed outside of the office; this is known as telecommuting. Telecommuting is a program that allows staff to work from a remote location for a portion of their normally-scheduled work hours.

Telecommuting has potential benefits for the work done within a department: increased performance and productivity, decreased absenteeism and turnover, improved work/life balance and job satisfaction, reduced energy/fuel usage and associated greenhouse gases, and increased office space flexibility.Continue Reading… Is Telecommuting an Option for Me?

How Do I Recognize Email Fraud?

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Phishing:  The practice of using fraudulent emails and copies of legitimate websites to extract financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft.

Fraudulent emails are constantly floating around and many can affect those with MSU NetIDs, but they can easily be avoided by knowing what to look for. MSU IT Services has some tips on how to identify a fraudulent email and what to do when you see one.Continue Reading… How Do I Recognize Email Fraud?

Can Twitter be useful to me?

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With the number of users increasing every day (over 500 million and counting), it’s obvious Twitter is here to stay, at least for a while. Here are a few reasons why having a Twitter account can benefit you in your work life and your personal life!

1.  Connecting with your Peers

Although they have similarities, Twitter and Facebook are two completely different platforms. Twitter allows you to connect with coworkers on the latest news, whether it’s work-related or not. It’s also a great place to look for a job if you’re still looking. If you are, @msujobs and @HelpingSpartans are two worthwhile MSU accounts to follow.Continue Reading… Can Twitter be useful to me?

“How do I respond to THAT?” Writing effective and efficient emails

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Niki Rudolph is the new Director of Student Affairs at the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. In this guest post, she offers some tips on how to avoid unnecessary office quarrels over common email mistakes.

Most likely, an email brought you to this post. You were plugging along, answering emails, filing others, and clicked on this link. As you read this, other emails are pouring in. I feel your pain. I would like to offer a few tips to make the entire process more efficient. In the interest of getting to the point, here are some quick tips to make email a more pleasant experience. That’s right; I said pleasant.Continue Reading… “How do I respond to THAT?” Writing effective and efficient emails

Can my spouse/OEI be covered under MSU’s health plan?

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This is a common question we get in Human Resources. Spousal coverage is available for all spouses/Other Eligible Individuals (OEIs) of benefits-eligible employees who enroll in an MSU health plan. This seems simple enough, but the premium threshold for spousal coverage can become confusing!

Couple's Hands
Don’t forget your spouse or OEI can be covered along with you on MSU’s health plans!

If your spouse/OEI has health care coverage from their employer that costs $850 or less per year (for a single policy, not two-person or family), they need to enroll in their employer’s health plan. But, they also can have secondary coverage with you through your MSU health plan.Continue Reading… Can my spouse/OEI be covered under MSU’s health plan?

How Do I Get Faculty/Staff Athletic Tickets?

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With the many discounted services available to MSU employees, we often forget about the discounted faculty/staff athletic tickets we can apply for or purchase.

For football, hockey and men’s basketball, there are discounted season ticket packages available. In order to receive a discounted season ticket package, you need to begin by completing the employment verification form on the MSU Spartan’s website. Once your employment is verified, you can apply for season tickets during the normal yearly application periods for each sport. Please note that some sports may have waiting lists and you may not be able to get season tickets for the upcoming season. Season ticket prices may change each year, so please visit msuspartans.com for the latest pricing.Continue Reading… How Do I Get Faculty/Staff Athletic Tickets?

What happens if I don’t have my parking permit?

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If you ever have to bring another vehicle on campus or you forget your parking validator, you may assume you’ll be getting a parking ticket. Luckily, there is a helpful option for those sticky situations! It’s called Calendar Permission.

MSU Police offers Calendar Permission one day out of each calendar month. It is issued in situations when you are driving a different vehicle for the day, or when you use the validator system and you’ve forgotten your validator. To receive Calendar Permission, call the Parking Office as soon as you arrive on campus at 517-355-8440, ext. 0. Let the phone operator know you need a Calendar Permission.  The operator will ask for your name and the license plate number of the vehicle that you have on campus that day.Continue Reading… What happens if I don’t have my parking permit?

How Do I Enroll or Change My Direct Deposit?

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Direct deposit is available for all University employees. The University will deposit your paycheck electronically into an account you designate at any financial institution within the U.S. If you want to save yourself time and reduce paper, you should consider enrolling in the direct deposit program.

To enroll in direct deposit or to edit your current direct deposit information:Continue Reading… How Do I Enroll or Change My Direct Deposit?

If I enrolled in a 2012 HCSA, can I throw away last year’s Benny debit card?

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The answer is NO! If you were enrolled in a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) for 2011, do not throw away your current debit card! You will use the same card again in 2012. If you do need to obtain additional cards, there will be a $5 fee for each additional card.

HCSA Debit Card
Don’t throw out your HCSA “Benny” cards! You will use the same cards in 2012.

Also note that after December 31, 2011, when you use your HCSA debit card, it will withdraw from your 2012 HCSA. You may continue to use your 2011 funds through March 15, 2012, but you must pay for eligible items or services first and submit receipts for reimbursement, rather than using your debit card.Continue Reading… If I enrolled in a 2012 HCSA, can I throw away last year’s Benny debit card?