News for Employees

• Bus service reduced and some parking rules waived for winter holidays

  December 17, 2025

  With some exceptions, UW parking permits will not be required on Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and on Jan. 1 and 19. Many parking rules will be waived on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Campus and city bus routes will operate reduced or modified schedules throughout UW winter break. For details, visit transportation.wisc.edu.

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• Nominations open for faculty award for graduate student mentoring

  December 17, 2025

  The new Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the growth, success, and well-being of graduate students at UW–Madison. This award highlights faculty whose engagement goes beyond standard advising expectations and reflects exemplary, evidence-based mentoring practices. Nominations are due Jan. 16.

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• Survey invites feedback on campus lactation spaces

  December 17, 2025

  The Office of Child Care & Family Resources and UW Environmental & Occupational Health have completed an initial audit of campus lactation spaces for pumping and nursing parents. The audit sponsors are looking for feedback from current lactation room users to gather data on use of these spaces, and to help ensure that these spaces meet the needs of the campus community. Lactation room users are encouraged to complete the Lactation Room Feedback Survey by Jan. 31.

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• Inclement winter weather overnight stay options for faculty, staff

  December 17, 2025

  The Fluno Center and the Wisconsin Union Hotel and Club Suites offer a special inclement weather rate of $60 per night now through March for UW–Madison faculty and staff. Inclement weather conditions include large amounts of snow, icy road conditions, or extreme cold. The issuing of hotel rooms at an inclement weather rate is subject to the discretion of hotel management. UW–Madison faculty and staff can call the Fluno Center at 608-441-7117 or the Wisconsin Union Hotel and Club Suites at 608-263-2600 to make an inclement weather rate hotel reservation.

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• Working at UW on holiday break

  December 17, 2025

  Working at UW will be on holiday break until our next issue is published on Wednesday, Jan. 7. See you in 2026!

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• Inclement weather guidelines: reminders for employees

  December 10, 2025

  UW–Madison’s policies on inclement weather and emergency conditions provide information on how the campus will respond to a major storm or disruptive weather event. During winter weather, UW–Madison aims to operate as normally as possible. Only the chancellor can cancel classes, suspend services, or close the campus to the public and employees. Individual colleges and schools will not close unless the whole campus is closed. Employees are encouraged to review the guidelines on traveling to campus, campus operations, announcements from campus, and communications with supervisors in the event of any alteration to campus operations or weather closure.

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• Review your 2026 Benefit Summary

  December 10, 2025

  During the Benefits Open Enrollment period, which ended Oct. 31, 2025, eligible employees had an opportunity to make changes to their benefits for 2026. Changes made during the Benefits Open Enrollment period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

  You can review your Benefit Summary now to make sure your benefits elections and the dependents you would like to cover in 2026 are correct. Log in to Workday. Go to Personal, then Benefits and Pay. Under Suggested Links, go to My Insurance Benefits. Log in to your My Benefits account. On the My Insurance Benefits home page, select the “Print your benefits” icon to view your Benefit Summary. If you have any questions, please contact the human resources office in your unit.

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• Sign up for electronic distribution of tax forms by Jan. 16

  December 10, 2025

  Active UW–Madison employees can receive W-2 and 1095-C forms via electronic-only distribution. Electronic forms are available earlier in Workday than paper forms distributed via U.S. mail. Electronic delivery is environmentally friendly and secure, with less risk of lost or stolen forms. This electronic-only consent must be completed by Jan. 16, 2026, in order to receive your 2025 tax forms electronically.

  To sign up for electronic-only consent for W-2 and 1095-C forms, log in to Workday and use the sidebar to go to Personal > Benefits and Pay > Pay > Tax. Under “Tax Forms Printing Elections,” select “Edit.” If you do not elect to receive electronic copies only, your W-2 form will be mailed at the end of January, and your 1095-C form will be mailed by mid-February to the home address on file in Workday. You should also verify or update your home address in Workday to ensure your tax forms are mailed to the correct address.

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• Holiday gift ideas from UW–Madison

  December 3, 2025

  UW’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide features gift ideas from around campus that showcase Badger spirit, celebrate arts and culture, and stem from scientific research and discovery. Holiday cards and gifts from UW–Madison — including food, books, culinary and arts experiences, memberships, apparel, gift cards, and more — are available for purchase now at brand.wisc.edu/gift-guide.

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• Webinar explores bringing one’s best self to work

  December 3, 2025

  LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, How to Bring Your Best Self to Work, on Tuesday, Dec. 16, noon–1 p.m. via Zoom. This webinar provides strategies to enhance job performance, improve relationships, and contribute positively to the workplace. Participants will learn about self-awareness, work-life balance, building relationships, maintaining a positive mindset, and more. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW–Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

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