USAC Top Five Advocacy Priorities 2023-2024

Wondering how we are advocating for you? In order to make progress in the areas staff care about, USAC members are focusing on the below five priorities for this membership year.

1. Establish a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees in addition to the current annual merit pool (AMCP). 
2. Create and implement institution-wide stay and exit interview process.  
3. Establish a full-time Staff Ombuds Office to support the more than 39,000 full-time and part-time staff members at The Ohio State University. 
4. Develop definitions of pay equity, pay equality and conduct compensation analysis.  
5. Make Academic Recess permanent. 

Priorities listed in order of importance to focus as established by USAC members.

Reminder: Sick time can be used to support your mental health

If you need to take time off for mental health, you're able to request use of your sick time for this purpose. We all go through challenging life events and periods of time when we are not OK. Your mental health is important, and you're able to use your sick time to support your mental health needs. Outlined further in the linked policy below, examples in which sick time can be used include but are not limited to:

• Depression
• Acute anxiety

Read more about how sick time can be used here: Paid Time Off, Policy 6.27 Frequently Asked Questions, page five, item one under Miscellaneous

If you or your manager have questions, please reach out to your HR business partner for guidance. You can find your partner here.

As a staff member, you and your family members are also eligible for up to five confidential counseling sessions, per issue, per year, through the Employee Assistant Program. The EAP website has other great resources for recognizing mental health needs, finding help, and fighting stigma as well as a host of other topics and information.

Additional questions? Reach out to us at usac@osu.edu

Staff Spotlight

USAC is proud to recognize Ohio State staff who exemplify what it means to be a Buckeye. We are excited to announce Nickie Oliver and Jessica Daley as this month's honorees! Each honoree will receive a $50 gift card, sponsored by OHR. Thank you for all that you do to make a positive impact at Ohio State.

LinkedIn Learning provided by the Office of Human Resources, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and the University Staff Advisory Committee. 

New from Human Resouces

Explore Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

ERGs are employee-led groups that foster inclusion and belonging, and offer networking, career and personal development opportunities, community connection and more.

ERG members may include employees who identify as a person described by the ERG name, have an affinity for related issues, are curious and want to learn, or would like to be an ally or sponsor of the group. Explore ERGs and find information to get involved at the link below!

If your group is not listed or contact info needs updating, let us know at usac@osu.edu.

The OSU Health Plan manages the healthcare insurance benefits and services offered to faculty and staff at The Ohio State University. By overseeing the many health and wellness resources available to members and giving them a single point of contact for all of their health plan needs, The OSU Health Plan makes staying healthy a little bit easier. Click the link below to see some of the wellness events available to staff through the OSU Health Plan.

Join Us!

If you're curious to learn more about USAC and how we operate, our bi-monthly business meetings are open for staff to join as guests. Guests are also encouraged to view our business meeting agendas on our website.

Next Business Meeting:

Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Microsoft Teams

Please note agenda items/topics may change and some information shared during the meetings might not be ready for public dissemination. Guests who plan to attend are encouraged to review updated agendas closer to the business meeting date.  

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Kari Fox at fox.731@osu.edu. At least two weeks' advance notice will help us to provide seamless access. 

University Staff Advisory Committee | usac@osu.edu | usac.osu.edu