Dear Postdocs,

The current UCD postdoc benefits handbook is several years out of date. This means it is very likely that not only are postdocs misinformed about new and updated regulations and policies, but so are the staff members that work with postdocs in individual campus departments. Joanna Friesner, a postdoc in the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, contacted Kathleen Smith, UCD’s postdoc benefits representative about developing an updated handbook. Joanna agreed to assist Kathleen by providing feedback on the topics of importance to UCD postdocs. She developed a draft outline of topics and distributed it to UCD postdocs in December via the email listserve. She requests additional input on the document from postdocs. Please send comments to Joanna Friesner (jdfriesner@ucdavis.edu).

(comments especially on other information needed by postdocs not addressed in this outline)

I. Getting Started as a UCD postdoc

(1)   Post doc title codes: definitions, descriptions- are postdocs considered staff, students, other?

(2)   ID cards: Postdocs can get Employee ID cards: http://employeeid.ucdavis.edu// Library privileges can be encoded in the card- you must give up your current library card when getting the ID card.

(3)   Postdoc Orientation: what is available? Upon hire? Other times?

(4)   UC policy for 5 year maximum postdoc title: what is the policy? What does a postdoc need to do near the end of this term? How can a postdoc enter into a new hiring code (other than postdoc code)?

II. Financial issues for UCD postdocs

(1)   Minimum Postdoc salary at UCD: information on employment policy; information on UCD procedure for salary increases: Are there annual ‘cost-of-living’ raises and must a postdoc formally apply or ask for it? How can one get a performance-based raise? Do you apply? Do you ask your PI?

(2)   Defined Contribution Plan (DCP): definition, description, who must contribute, what is the amount.

(3)   Social Security Contributions from Postdoc Salary: Which postdocs do this? Voluntary or mandatory? Are contributions credited towards retirement for Social Security (for U.S. citizens?)

(4)   Elective 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plans: who is eligible, how to enroll, etc.

III. Benefits for UCD postdocs

(1)   Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance: what is available; timeline and directions for enrolling upon hire; references and resources to enroll. Is it known what % postdocs choose each health plan, and why?

(2)   Vacation Policy- postdoc eligibility for vacation (waiting period after hire, etc.), how are hours kept track of (formally or informally), how many hours are accrued, do they expire?

(3)   Sick Leave Policy- as above for Vacation Policy

(4)   Short-Term Disability Leave- definition, what is covered, how/when should postdocs apply (e.g. family/medical/maternity leave). What forms are needed, where to obtain them, who to submit them to. Maternity benefits: how to use STD for maternity leave, amount of salary covered, length of coverage, protocol for additional unpaid leave if needed, etc.

(5)   What are the benefits, policies and retirement programs for postdocs with external fellowships?

III. International Postdoc Issues

(1)   New Hire: how to complete required paperwork and timeline for initial paperwork

(2)   How to work with SISS: how can they help international postdocs?

(3)   Other resources to advise international postdocs on paperwork?

(4)   Tax information for international postdocs

(5)   Switching labs at UCD, or switching to another University: what forms do SISS require for these situations?

(6)   How to change your visa type

IV. Other topics

(1)   Living in Davis: Davis Community Network: http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/; Davis Community Wiki page: http://daviswiki.org/

(2)   On and Off-Campus Housing: Are postdocs eligible for on-campus housing? Suggestions to find off-campus housing: (a) UCD Community Housing Listing  http://chl.ucdavis.edu/, Davis Community Network housing: http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/

(3)   Use of the ARC (Activities and Recreation Center)

(4)   Use of UCD dining halls- is the 25% discounts with ID card still in effect and apply for postdocs?

(5)   Library Privileges- library employee ID cards What are postdoc borrowing privileges?

(6)   TAPS- parking information- parking/bike permits. Unitrans (bus system): discounts for postdocs?

(7)   Representation on Graduate Council

(8)   Dealing with stress: free Academic and Staff Assistance Program- assessments, intervention, consultation, referrals. Open to currently employed postdocs: http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/ASAP

(9)   UCD Environmental Health and Safety- courses and information: http://ehs.ucdavis.edu/

(10)     How to set up your UCD email account- where to go, what is needed.

V. Professional Development for Postdocs

(1)   UCD Staff Development and Professional Services: can postdocs participate?

(2)   Responsible Conduct in Research series

(3)   Is there a Professional Development series?

(4)   Office of Research: Laboratory Management Institute- Is this offered still?

(5)   UCD Center for Entrepreneurship: Short Business Intensive Course and year-long Business Certificate Course for graduate students/postdocs in Engineering and Science

(6)   PSA travel awards

(7)   Opportunities to serve on campus committees- PSA, Grad Council, other

VI. Resources for Postdocs:

 Garnett-Powers (benefits), SISS (International), Kathleen Smith (PSBP Coordinator), Tracey Pareida (Graduate Studies Academic Personnel Specialist- for postdoc title codes/hiring), Postdoc Association (PSA), Fidelity (retirement), Teresa Dillinger (Coordinator of Internship and Career Center),  UCD Academic and Staff Assistance Program (employed postdocs are eligible), UCD Staff Development & Professional Services (if postdocs are eligible), National Postdoc Association, UCD Office of Research,

Other resources that should be included?