- How do I change my name, marital status, dependents, etc?
- Can I change my department name on the web?
- Can I review my personnel file?
- Is the Human Resource Administration Department the place for students to apply for work on campus during the school year, i.e., work study?
- When will my benefits take effect?
- Can benefits be cancelled other than during "Open Enrollment?"
- Do I need to inform Human Resources when I marry or have a child, and how does it affect my benefits if I forget?
- Will Cobra be available to me when I terminate employment?
- What is the policy on closings due to emergencies or snow storms?
- How often can I change my 403 (b) contribution percentage?
- Am I eligible for a Tuition Waiver?
- How long are classified jobs posted for and is there a grace period for applying after the deadline?
- Can I join the union, if applicable, before getting hired?
- Can I submit an application to URI to keep on file?
- Once I submit an application for a job title, ex: housekeeper or senior clerk typist, will it apply to each housekeeper or typist position that gets posted?
- Do I need to come in person to the University to apply once I see a job I am interested in?
- Can I apply for more than one job at a time?
- Do I need to take a state civil service exam before applying for a position?
- How do I find out when a state civil service exam will be given?
- I am interested in applying for clerical/administrative support work. Are there any special requirements?
How do I change my name, marital status, dependents, etc?
All changes for name, marital status and dependents need to be done on a USP 2. These forms can be viewed on our web site but need to be initiated by the employee's department.
Can I change my department name on the web?
No, this can only be done on a USP 2.
Can I review my personnel file?
Yes, employees are allowed access to their personnel file. Simply print the "Access to Personnel Information" form, fill it out and bring it to the receptionist in Human Resource Administration.
Is the Human Resource Administration Department the place for students to apply for work on campus during the school year, i.e., work study?
No, all students looking for employment on campus should go to Enrollment Services in Green Hall.
When will my benefits take effect?
Your health coverage is based on your hire date. Your benefit forms need to be submitted to URI Employee Benefits, and then processed by the State of Rhode Island Central Payroll in Providence. Membership cards may come anywhere from 7 to 30 days from the time your forms are processed by the State. Once your health coverage co-share is deducted from your paycheck that will indicate that the premium payment has been made by the State to the carrier. We recommend that you do not use your health, dental or vision coverage until you receive your membership card.
Can benefits be cancelled at any time or only during the annual "Open Enrollment?" (Open Enrollment usually occurs in May/June with changes becoming effective in July 1)
- That depends on the benefit.
- Changes to your health, dental and vision coverage can only be done during open enrollment unless there is a change in status, i.e., marriage, birth, death, loss of coverage of spouse. Contact Employee Benefits if any of these occur.
- Changes to your Basic Life insurance can be done during open enrollment only due to its pre-tax status. However, if your optional life insurance is over $50,000, and therefore not pre-taxed, you may cancel at any time.
- You may enroll or cancel Legal insurance during open enrollment.
- You may cancel or open a Savings Bond account any time during the year. The State offers both the EE and I Savings Bonds.
- AFLAC offers short-term disability, cancer protection and dependent care Flexible Spending Account. AFLAC is a pre-taxed program that is an IRS approved tax exemption. Therefore, if you choose pre-tax when you enroll you cannot cancel this benefit until the annual Open Enrollment.
Do I need to inform Human Resources when I marry or have a child, and how does it affect my benefits if I forget?
- To add a new spouse to your health coverage come to Employee Benefits with a copy of your marriage certificate within 60 days of your marriage to complete the paperwork. You will need to wait until the next Open Enrollment to add your spouse if you miss that 60-day window.
- If you have a child or adopt a child come into Employee Benefits with a copy of the hospital discharge papers or court papers, respectively, within 30 days of the birth/adoption, the paperwork can be processed immediately. However, if you miss the 30-day window, you must wait until the annual Open Enrollment to add the child to your health insurance.
- An ex-spouse who was part of your family health membership at the time of the final divorce judgment is eligible to remain on your membership if so stated in the final decree. Eligibility may cease if the spouse obtains comparable coverage, if there is a fixed date specified in the final divorce decree or upon remarriage of either party. It is the responsibility of the employee to notify the ex-spouse that they will be losing health coverage.
- Employees who have a Domestic Partner status should also notify Employee Benefits as soon as possible in order to stop the imputed income.
Will COBRA be available to me when I terminate employment?
- Federal Law - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires the State of Rhode Island to offer employees and their families, including domestic partner, the opportunity to pay for a temporary extension of health coverage called "continuation coverage" when your health coverage terminates. Coverage under COBRA is at a group rate for a period of time specified by law. An administrative fee is included in the premium that you pay.
- If you choose continuation coverage, the State of Rhode Island is required to allow you to purchase coverage which, as of the time coverage is being provided, is identical to the coverage provided under the plan to similarly situated employees or family members.
- Dependent children who cease to be a "dependent" may qualify for COBRA if you notify the State within 60 days of the occurrence. Contact the COBRA office at 401-222-3279.
What is the policy on closings due to emergencies or snow storms?
If it is announced on radio or television that classes are cancelled at the University without specific reference to University employees, it is considered a regular work day for all employees. Though classes may be cancelled, employees are expected to report to work. Nonessential employees who feel that they cannot safely get to their work sites (due to weather conditions) may be excused from work, provided that they discharge a vacation or personal leave day (in accordance with appropriate Personnel Rules and/or contractual provisions).
How often can I change my 403(b) contribution percentage?
There is no limit to the number of times during the year that you can adjust the percentage of your contribution. However, you must do at least 5 % if you are participating in the BOG Retirement Plan. Just come into Employee Benefits and complete the appropriate form.
Am I eligible for a Tuition Waiver?
If you are a full-time State employee on the bi-weekly payroll (calendar or academic year), you and your dependents may be eligible for a Tuition Waiver. Check our Tuition Waiver page for your union's eligibility guidelines. If you have further questions, please contact Dawn Smith at 874-5567.
How long are classified jobs posted for and is there a grace period for applying after the deadline?
URI Classified jobs are posted for 10 calendar days which includes a 3-day grace period. Therefore, no applications or supplementary information will be accepted after the deadline date. Also, it is important to check the RESTRICTION section of the posting. Some positions are limited due to funding or an incumbent's leave.
Can I join the union, if applicable, before getting hired?
No. Your union status is determined by the position you fill.
Can I submit an application to URI to keep on file?
No. Union contracts, Affirmative Action guidelines, and the University's posting procedures necessitate a separate application for each job posting.
Once I submit an application for a job title, ex: housekeeper or senior clerk typist, will it apply to each housekeeper or typist position that gets posted?
No. Your application remains with that original job posting. You must submit a separate application for each job that you see posted and would like to apply for.
Do I need to come in person to the University to apply once I see a job I am interested in?
No. You may fax your application/resume to our office at (401) 874-5741. You can also mail your application/resume to URI, Office of Human Resource Administration, 80 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. However, be sure that your application materials, including any certificates of proficiency, are received in Human Resources by the job application deadline date. If you would like to drop your application off, our office is open from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Can I apply for more than one job at a time?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of jobs you can apply for.
Do I need to take a state civil service exam before applying for a position?
There are some classifications that are not subject to exam, ex: housekeeper, cook's helper, and laborer. However, there are classifications that may require passing an exam before you are hired.
How do I find out when a state civil service exam will be given?
Announcements for state exams are posted on the Office of Human Resource Administration's bulletin board, on our web site and announced on our telephone line (874-7117). Also the State places the announcements in the classified section of the Sunday Providence Journal. (Section 312)
I am interested in applying for clerical/administrative support work. Are there any special requirements?
Yes. Several of the clerical positions require a Certificate of Proficiency in Typing and/or Shorthand (less than 18 months old) to be submitted with your application prior to the deadline date. These tests are given at many of the RI Department of Labor & Training (NetworkRI) offices. Locally, this office is located at the Stedman Government Center, on Route 1, Tower Hill Road in Wakefield, Rhode Island. For an appointment call 789-9721
