PASSHE CONFERENCE

Review recent arbitration decisions and discuss the position of both parties submitted to the arbitrator. Attendees will determine and review what arguments persuaded the arbitrator and reflect on what actions should be continued or avoided.  Presenters: Michael Ferguson and Brian Mbuu

WCU's Information Services and Technology leaders will delve into integrating AI into the People, Process, and Technology framework. Using AI tech like natural language processing and machine learning, organizations can streamline operations, personalize interactions, and accurately forecast user needs, enhancing productivity and user experiences. Presenters: JT Singh and Paul Gargiulo

This session is for HR/Payroll professionals responsible for issuing and monitoring employment contracts and SAP data and leave entry for APSCUF COACHES. Participants will learn how to calculate a COACH’s FTE to determine their proper employment status, calculate minimum salary, and proper SAP data and leave accrual entry requirements. Presenters: Phillip Amarante and Bretni Lentz

Learn how to utilize Business Intelligence (BI) reporting to address your daily reporting needs – be it for employee tracking & auditing, general complement & personnel administration needs or payroll details. This lab-based session will cover what’s available, the basics of accessing all reports, key concepts, and more. Presenter: Chrissy Eggert

Learn more about advanced BI reporting and the types of information solutions that other universities are utilizing and creating with BI reporting. In this session, we’ll highlight university use cases and open the discussion up to you and your colleagues for a dialog on how this information is being used (or needed) to support your campus and executive leadership. HR Directors and those with experience in BI reporting are encouraged to attend this session. Presenter:  Chrissy Eggert

Join the System’s legal counsel (Kristen Dennis) for a round-table discussion on current compliance issues in higher education HR.  Topics will include document retention (requirements and format), who is responsible for the I9 process, I9 compliance for remote and hybrid employment, social security challenges of sponsored employees, the technical issues you may face when onboarding a person lacking documentation, and more.  Presenter: Kristen Dennis, JD

Join the Commonwealth’s Director of Department of Labor & Industry’s Bureau of Mediation to learn more about the role of the Office of Mediation and the role of Mediators in Pennsylvania Labor Relations and recent trends and changes in public sector collective bargaining.  Presenter: Eric Sanoba

Join us to learn about the customized Medicare Advantage Plan that will be provided to our Medicare-eligible retirees and spouses effective January 2025. This is the most significant change in decades to our retiree health plan offerings and represents a rare opportunity to provide an enhanced benefit plan, at a reduced cost to the employer. Presenters: Rex Rensel, Lisa Ulrich, Nikki Black, PASSHE Benefits & Highmark Representative

In this session, System employment experts will participate in a panel discussion and share strategies to help boost recruitment opportunities, optimize searches, share sample communication with candidates, key messaging during the job offer, and more.

In a challenging labor market, it can be tempting to bring back a retired employee- either from with the System or a retiree of another public sector entity.  Join this session to understand the process of requesting an emergency annuitant rehire.  A brief overview of the new IRS rules for determining Independent Contractor vs. Employee status will also be presented as well as a review the implications of re-employing a prior employee in the context of the State Ethics Act to help avoid potential, unintended violations.  Presenter: Linda Harrison, Phil Amarante

The State System uses a point factor method to evaluate SCUPA positions and determine the appropriate classification.  Positions are scored in four areas based on degree definitions that are difficult to interpret.  In this session learners will challenge each other to think through the language and will come away better prepared to classify SCUPA positions and defend their decisions before an arbitrator. Presenter:  Kimberly Holland

Sponsoring a foreign national can be a complex process.  Join this session to learn more about the timing of temporary and permanent sponsorship, documentation and renewal, and compliance issues related to employment.  During this round table discussion, subject matter experts will join the System’s outside counsel (Kristen Dennis) to discuss best practices, current challenges, how their processes may have changed, and lessons learned. Presenter: Kristen Dennis, JD 

HR technology has transformed many processes, making workflow more efficient and effective. This session will provide an overview of how platforms Microsoft Teams, DocuSign, and OnBase can improve the hiring and onboarding processes and positively impact employee experience. We’ll also discuss what cultural changes are required for organizations to break down silos and continually challenge the status quo, experiment, and get comfortable with failure and/or change. 

Join the System Benefits team and select vendor partners to learn about some less common, but extremely valuable, employee benefit offerings.  Participants will learn about value-added programs and products available to State System employees.  Topics to be presented include some less common benefits under the State System Health Plan, SEAP, SAVI, UCCI Dental, NVA Vision, Metlife- Voluntary Life, FSA and PEBTF program and services. Presenters:  PASSHE Benefits Team & select vendor representatives

WCU faculty member and current Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services, Michele Cooper will facilitate a discussion and training on responding to employees in crisis.  Michele’s research-based training will provide a practical approach to enhancing the skillset of those in leadership roles.  Individuals will learn key language to use with those in crisis, how to listen and respond appropriately, and discuss barriers that may prevent individuals from approaching Human Resources. The training session will also include scenario-based role play.  Presenter: Michele Cooper, WCU

Join this session to learn the basics behind the science and benefits of happiness. Discuss how happiness can be measured and understand the concept of positive psychology. This course encourages introspection into your own perceptions and feelings of happiness to help determine how you can encourage and embrace happiness in your own life.  Presenter:  Patrick Simonson, OPTUM

Wellbeing consists of a complex combination of a person's physical, mental, emotional and social health factors, being strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction.  Facilitator Patrick Simonson will define wellbeing, discuss the concept of thriving vs surviving, explore uncertainty through research and insights from across the globe, and discuss ways to apply resilience and coping strategies to assist in adapting to change while identifying tips for improving wellbeing during uncertain times.  Presenter: Patrick Simonson, OPTUM

Approaching employee performance problems effectively is critical for team success. Learn how to take a proactive role by coaching team members and giving them the tools they need to succeed through the Performance Development Plan (PDP) process.  This session will highlight common performance “themes”, the importance of a structured, collaborative approach where the employee, supervisor, and HR work to address performance issues, and empowering and supporting employees toward achieving positive work behaviors. They will also show how technology can be used to support training.  Presenters: Scott Sherman, Jaime Whitcomb, WCU

Celebrating employees is the cornerstone of West Chester University’s annual Employee Appreciation.  Hear how they used the pandemic break to reimagine what the event(s) now look like and learn how they are breaking down silos to strengthen community, highlight the talent, programs, and spaces on their campus, promote student success, and allow employees to be appreciated in the way that they chose.  Get low-cost ideas to help you plan your celebration, learn how to simplify gifts and rewards, and hear how they use student artists and creative communication strategies to market their event. Presenter: Jaime Whitcomb & Team, WCU