By Jody Record, Media Relations

The proposed mitigation strategy for non-union workers to help offset increases in health insurance premiums as well as the new performance management initiative were the topics that generated the most discussion at the OS Council meeting held on Oct. 11

Under the mitigation plan, the USNH would use about $500,000 from increased contributions to pay benefit eligible, non-union employees whose annualized full-time equivalent salaries are at or below $40,000 as of June 30, 2006, a one-time payment of $400.

Regardless of income, workers with accrued earned time or vacation time will be able to cash in up to five days of their accumulated hours. The time would not count toward minimum usage requirements.

Questions that arose from the discussion included whether people would get the $400 if they weren’t enrolled, how the money would be taxed, and if the same offer would be made next year. There was also some confusion as to how the payment would impact the one percent merit raise money that had been set aside until fiscal year figures could be analyzed.

Council members agreed the $400 would be helpful but that it wasn’t the best plan that could be put forth. Matty Leighton questioned the fact that there was money in the budget to make one-time payments but not to keep the cost of benefits lower.

Jennifer Dube, who attended one of the performance management initiatives now being introduced across campus to supervisors and employees, reported hearing someone say they had been asked to change what they had written on their job performance review. Dube said it “made her uneasy to think some managers at UNH may censor the comments of people who work for them.”

Saying there appeared to be a “level of distrust” Sharon Demers, assistant vice president of Human Resources, suggested anyone experiencing a problem contact human resources. Dube pointed out why that might not work.

“Part of the problem is HR represents employees and also represents their bosses,” Dube said. As a result, an employee who had issues might not view HR as an ally, Dube said.

“We just try to manage the issues,” Demers said. “If there is a genuine issue, that’s something we have to address. If people are feeling oppressed, if they are feeling like they can’t speak, that’s not something we’re going to gloss over.”

In other news, Chairman Jason Brodeur asked council members to submit questions before the Oct. 18 tri-council meeting with Dick Cannon, vice president of finance and administration. Brodeur said all three councils had expressed interest in meeting with Cannon, leading to the organization of the forum.