Reminder: Open Enrollment and Shared Sick Leave Program open through Nov. 7

Open Enrollment is underway through this Friday, Nov. 7. Please take action now for calendar year 2026.

The Benefits Team will be available in the Wooten-Garner House this Friday from 9:30 a.m. until noon for any employee who wishes to stop by and ask questions or receive assistance with making their elections. A couple of quick reminders:

• This is an active Open Enrollment! You must answer all applicable surcharge questions or be subject to the $150 per month surcharge(s).
• Make your elections ASAP.  Log into OneUSG or call the OneUSG Connect Benefits Call Center at 1-844-587-4236. Wait times will get longer and longer as the week draws to a close. Don't wait, act now!
• If you're enrolled in an HSA or an FSA, you must re-enroll; these do not automatically renew each year.
• It’s best practice to review your beneficiaries for all the things since you’re in the system. Consider reviewing your beneficiaries for basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, HSA, 403(b), 457(b) – even consider checking your TRS account (if applicable, use a separate sign in).

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The Annual Shared Sick Leave Program Enrollment Window is open through Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, for participation effective Jan. 1, 2026.

All interested participants must complete and submit the Shared Sick Leave Enrollment Form to Benefits at benefits@gcsu.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Submit all forms via email. Do not send forms via interoffice mail.

Participation in the program is voluntary, but employees must give in order to receive.

Only employees who have voluntarily enrolled in the Shared Sick Leave Program after meeting all of the eligibility requirements outlined within the applicable USG policy are eligible to become Shared Sick Leave Program recipients. Enrollment is only open during the annual open enrollment period, barring any exceptions outlined within the applicable USG policy.

Eligibility for Enrollment (during USG Benefits Open Enrollment Period):

• Must be a regular, benefits eligible employee who has completed their provisional period (six month probationary period),
• Must contribute a minimum of eight (8) hours sick leave (prorated based on FTE) up to 80 hours and
• Must have a minimum of forty (40) hours of sick leave remaining after their donation at the time of enrollment.

For detailed information regarding the program and to obtain Enrollment or Termination forms please visit https://gcsu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/policy-manual/policy-manual/office-of-human-resources/time-away-from-work/shared-leave-program/ (DUO credentials required to access this link) or view the USG’s Human Resources Administrative Manual regarding the Time Away from Work: Shared Sick Leave Program policy.

Remember that this enrollment will only be open  through Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, for participation effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Submit your questions and all enrollment or terminate membership forms to benefits@gcsu.edu. Do not send forms to Benefits through interoffice mail.