The following is provided by the Human Resources Division.

Performance Excellence Program

The Performance Excellence Program (PEP) process for FY 2016 starts with Upward Evaluations on April 11. Employees can anonymously evaluate their direct supervisor’s performance in employee development, collaboration, communication, and leadership. Please consider participating in the evaluation of your immediate supervisor. Employees will receive an email with instructions for submitting an evaluation. Surveys are deactivated Friday, April 22, at 9 p.m.

For questions, contact Cameron Keel, staff evaluation coordinator, at [email protected] or 512-223-7984.

Save the date for May 12 Financial Wellness Fair

The Human Resources Benefits Office is hosting the annual Financial Wellness Fair on Thursday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highland Business Center. Featured presentations include “Managing Credit & Debt,” “Investing by Millennials,” and “Cracking the Nest Egg.” Most presentations also can be viewed via WebEx. Representatives from ACC’s retirement and savings plan providers will be on hand throughout the day as well. Watch for event details in April and early May.

Note: Professional development credit is not available for personal enrichment activities; however, employees should be given time off to attend and should coordinate with their supervisors.

What drives an employee’s decision to retire?

HR Benefits invites employees to make an appointment to discuss their retirement plans. Approximately 30 percent of ACC employees are 55 or older. While their experience makes the college a dynamic place to work, it also means a large number of employees are close to retirement age. Determining the most advantageous time to retire can be difficult and stressful. While everyone has their own reasons and motivations for deciding whether to retire, Fidelity Investments has found that — besides financial considerations — the most common factors influencing the decision are:

• Desire for leisure time
• Stress at work
• Time with family/grandchildren

Employees considering retirement should review information on the Retirement Programs and Retiree Benefits webpages on the HR Benefits website. These sections include retirement check lists, forms, and links to additional resources and information to help with planning.

Then, approximately three to six months before their planned retirement date, employees should schedule an appointment with the HR Benefits Office ([email protected]) to discuss plans and complete the forms necessary to ensure a smooth transition to retirement.

Featured discounts for April

Check out the ACC Advantage Discount Program for fresh deals and seasonal sales including:

• Cruise and travel perks: discount offers, cabin upgrades, and onboard credits
• Discount on TurboTax tax preparation software

Access the ACC Advantage Discount Program at www.beneplace.com/acc or by going to austincc.edu/hr/benefits/ and clicking on Advantage Discount Program in the menu.

April Deer Oaks EAP newsletters

View the following articles in the April Employee Enhancement Newsletter (pdf) from Deer Oaks, ACC’s Employee Assistance Provider:

• Should I Rent or Buy a Home?
• Online Seminar info: “Home Buying 101”
• Aim for a Healthy Weight
• 10 Tips for Becoming More Active as a Family
• Snippets: High Triglycerides; Type 2 Diabetes Patients
• Clinician’s Corner
• Five Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money All Year

Read about these topics in Deer Oaks’ Supervisor/HR Newsletter (pdf):

• Listen Now, Make Suggestions Later
• How to “Read” Employees
• Ask Your EAP

ACC celebrates recent retirees

ACC celebrates the following retirees. Retirees are recognized at Board of Trustees meetings for their years of service to the college.

Tags: hr connection, retirees, retirement planning