[Msoadm] Central Human Resources Newsletter | July 2026

[Puja Pannu]

Central Human Resources Newsletter

July 2026
[image: Alex Najera]
Investing In Our People
A message from Alex Nájera, Associate Vice Chancellor, CHRO

Dear Campus Partners,

As we find ourselves in the heart of summer, this season serves as a
meaningful reminder of the importance of balance, reflection, and
rejuvenation. It is also an ideal time to look at how we continue to grow
together—not just in our daily tasks, but in our shared commitment to
investing in one another.

In this issue, we reflect on the evolution of Human Resources—a journey
from the foundational "personnel" management of the past to the
people-first approach we champion today. At UC Riverside, this is more than
history; it is our present reality. Our dedication to you—our faculty and
staff—remains the heartbeat of our work, whether through expanded
professional development, comprehensive wellness resources, or the new
systems we are building to streamline your experience.

As we look toward the remainder of the summer, I encourage you to
prioritize your own well-being. Please explore the wellness workshops
available to you and take advantage of the opportunities to recharge. As
you balance summer plans with your work responsibilities, please also keep
in mind two upcoming deadlines to stay on track: the Define Criteria
process, which must be completed by July 31, and the Gender Recognition and
Lived Name policy training, due by August 24.

Thank you for all you do to make UCR a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving
place. Whether you are finding time for a well-deserved vacation or
continuing to serve our campus, I hope you find this summer rewarding and
refreshing.

2026–2027 UC Riverside Salary Program

UC Riverside has announced the 2026–2027 Salary Program, outlining salary
increases and implementation details for eligible policy-covered staff and
academic employees. The announcement also includes information about
eligibility requirements, effective dates, and academic salary adjustments.
The annual salary program reflects UC Riverside's continued commitment to
recognizing and investing in its employees. Employees represented by a
collective bargaining unit will continue to receive compensation increases
in accordance with their respective labor agreements.

For complete details about the 2026–2027 Salary Program, including
eligibility requirements, implementation timelines, and frequently asked
questions, visit the 2026–2027 UC Riverside Salary Program
<https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2026/06/29/2026-2027-uc-riverside-salary-program>
announcement.

Spotlights
[image: image]

HR Employee Spotlight: Judy Abbey

In her role supporting the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and the
broader HR division, Judy plays a critical part in facilitating the smooth
and efficient operation of Central Human Resources. Working closely with
AVC & CHRO Alex Najera, she approaches her responsibilities with precision,
proactive care, and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence.

Judy was originally drawn to the university by the collaborative spirit and
mission-driven environment at UC Riverside. She finds fulfillment in
supporting the AVC and the broader HR Division, as it allows her to both
witness and participate in the impactful work done to foster a thriving
campus community. Outside of work Judy is an avid tennis fan and currently
supporting England during the world cup.

Central Human Resources extends its sincere appreciation to Judy for her
more than 11 years of dedicated service, exceptional professional support,
and continued contributions to the UC Riverside community.
[image: the CNAS personnel service center team standing against a cnas
backdrop to highlight their spotlight of the month]

HR Team Spotlight: College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences Personnel
Service Center

The HR team at the CNAS Personnel Service Center (Harvest) strives to
provide the highest level of full-service HR support, dedication, and
expertise to over 20 departments and centers across the College of Natural
& Agricultural Sciences. We value our campus partners and handle all HR
actions - ranging from staff recruitments and reclassifications to policy
consultations, leave administration (for CNAS and CHASS), and employee
relations - with extreme care, accuracy, and efficiency. Our team is
committed to fostering a supportive and thriving professional environment.
Whether coordinating critical audits, clarifying policy questions, or
providing expert leave advice, we are proud to stand in community with our
staff and faculty to advance CNAS’s vital scientific and educational
missions.

HR Reminders

Travel with Confidence This Summer: Know Your Benefits Before You Go

Before traveling for summer vacation or official UC Riverside business,
take a few minutes to prepare for peace of mind. Be sure to carry your
health insurance ID card, save your health plan's member services number,
and review available UC medical plan resources.

UC medical plans cover emergency and urgent care during travel, often
including telehealth and nurse advice lines. Furthermore, those traveling
on official UC business may be eligible for travel assistance and insurance
through the University of California's Business Travel Insurance Program,
depending on the plan and travel type.

Whether traveling across California or internationally, a little
preparation ensures you have the necessary care and support throughout your
journey. For complete coverage details and the most current travel
information, visit these official UC resources:

   -

   UCnet Health Plans and Benefits
   <https://hr.ucr.edu/benefits/health-and-welfare-plans>
   -

   UCnet: Do You Need Travel Insurance
   <https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/deciding-if-you-should-obtain-travel-insurance/>
   -

   UC Business Travel Insurance and Travel Assistance
   <https://www.ucop.edu/risk-services-travel/index.html>
   -

   UC Riverside Business Travel Resources
   <https://accounting.ucr.edu/te/business-travel>

_________________________________________

Support Your Well-Being This Summer

This summer, make your well-being a priority. Explore workshops designed to
help you stay healthy, manage stress, build resilience, improve ergonomics,
enjoy the outdoors safely, and strengthen healthy personal and professional
boundaries. Whether you're looking to improve your physical health,
strengthen your resilience, or develop new strategies for work-life
balance, there's a workshop to support your well-being this summer.

Visit the Faculty and Staff Wellness Program
<https://hr.ucr.edu/faculty-staff-and-wellness-program> to explore
additional wellness resources, discover upcoming events, and learn more
about programs that support your physical, emotional, and financial
well-being.

Upcoming Virtual Summer Workshops

Ergonomic and Injury Prevention Workshop | View the Workshop flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Wellness/ergo-injury-prevention.pdf> | July
22, 2026 | Noon–12:30 p.m.

Kaiser Permanente Activate Your Healthy Mind and Healthy Body | Register
for the Workshop
<https://go.kaiserpermanente.org/00-EVWB-2026-WFH-LP-Activate_01-WFH-LP.html>
| July 20, 2026 | 12:00pm


Kaiser Permanente Mindful Mondays |  Register for the Workshops
<https://go.kaiserpermanente.org/00-EVWB-2026-WFH-LP-Mindfull-Monday_01-WFH-LP.html>
| Various dates and topics | 12:00pm

Kaiser Permanente Well Being Wednesdays | Register for the Workshops
<https://go.kaiserpermanente.org/00-EVWB-2026-WFH-LP-Wellbeing-Wednesday_01-WFH-LP.html>
|  July 22, 2026 | 12:00pm

Free Use Month at the SRC for Faculty and Staff | Register for the Free
Month at the SRC
<https://recreationregistration.ucr.edu/Account/SignIn?ReturnUrl=%2FMembership%2FIndex>
|  Through July 31, 2026

_________________________________________

Reminder: Define Criteria Deadline Approaching

The Define Criteria deadline is quickly approaching. To stay on track with
the performance review process, complete this important step by July 31,
2026.

The following resources are available to help you successfully complete the
Define Criteria process:

   -

   Define Criteria Job Aid
   <https://o365ucr.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/PerformanceAppraisalPilotProject/EbN4r7g8x6lMj3dGhtVsZsQByQT58YLIqmmOMv1qGYrhFA?e=fKN6Y8>
   – Step-by-step instructions for completing the Define Criteria task.
   -

   Define Criteria Micro-Video
   <https://o365ucr.sharepoint.com/:v:/t/PerformanceAppraisalPilotProject/Eamta49TxRNNk0N8UAU7pAkBHZs7uVeViSYI6X_U4jWmFA?e=3qMzJm>
   – A brief video demonstration that walks you through the process.
   -

   ePer SharePoint site
   <https://o365ucr.sharepoint.com/teams/PerformanceAppraisalPilotProject/SitePages/Training-Resources.aspx?source=https%3a//o365ucr.sharepoint.com/teams/PerformanceAppraisalPilotProject/SitePages/Forms/ByAuthor.aspx>
–
   Access additional tools, resources, and guidance to support the performance
   management process.

If you need additional assistance or experience any issues, please
submit a ServiceNow
support ticket <https://hr.ucr.edu/hr-service-request> for help.

_________________________________________

Protecting Privacy: Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy Training

The Gender Recognition and Lived Name (GRLN) Policy ensures a respectful,
inclusive workplace by promoting the consistent use of lived names while
protecting legal name confidentiality. Since UCPath became the system of
record in June 2023, employees with access to legal name information must
safeguard this confidential data and use it only for legitimate business
purposes.

To maintain compliance, employees with legal name access whose
certification has expired must retake the UC Policy on Gender Recognition
and Lived Name training. This online course takes about 35 minutes and must
be completed via the UC Learning Center (UCLC) by August 24, 2026.

For complete information about the policy and training requirements, visit
the following resources:

   -

   UC Policy on Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy
   <https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/2700693/GRLN> – Review the policy,
   understand how lived and legal names are managed, and learn about the
   privacy and confidentiality requirements that support a respectful and
   inclusive workplace.
   -

   UC Learning Center (UCLC)
   <https://uc.sumtotal.host/rcore/c/pillarRedirect?relyingParty=LM&url=core%2factivitydetails%2fViewActivityDetails%3fActivityId%3d667057%26UserMode%3d0%29>
   – Access the online training and complete your certification before
the August
   24, 2026, deadline.

_________________________________________

Foundations for Supervisory Success: A Journey of Learning and Growth

>From August 2025 to April 2026, campus supervisors enhanced their
leadership capabilities through the nine-month Foundations for Supervisory
Success (FSS) training series. Designed for new supervisors but also
attracting experienced leaders, the program provided valuable tools and
strategies for managing teams at UCR. High demand led to 58 participants
and a waitlist, reflecting a strong campus commitment to professional
growth.

Sessions blended policy knowledge with practical application across
essential topics—including recruitment, onboarding, performance management,
compensation, leave, employee relations, compliance, leadership, and
strategic planning—while emphasizing peer collaboration.

Special thanks to our presenters, CHR’s Employee & Organizational
Development team, campus partners, and participants for making this program
a success.

FSS Participants: Missed a Session?

If you missed any required sessions, review the make-up instructions sent
to your UCR email to complete the program and receive credit by July 31,
2026. For questions, contact Jessica Montes at jmontes at ucr.edu.

The FSS Journey Continues

Planning for the 2026–2027 series is underway, and the next start date will
be announced soon. We look forward to continuing to support supervisor
development at UCR!

Avanti Update

Thank you for your continued partnership as we all settle into R’Employee
Services. We are actively working on ongoing system enhancements based on
your valuable input, and our focus is on ensuring you feel fully equipped
to navigate the new portal with confidence.

To help simplify your day-to-day workflows and streamline the transition,
we are introducing more support resources:

   -

   Expanded Office Hours <https://hr.ucr.edu/avanti#office-hours>: We are
   working on adding more drop-in sessions to provide quick, live assistance
   whenever you need a hand.
   -

   New Weekly Tips & Tricks Email: Launching this week, this brief digest
   will share helpful shortcuts, with an initial focus on streamlining Leave
   of Absence (LOA) processes.

We appreciate your dedication to making the Avanti initiative a success,
and we are here to support you every step of the way!

>From Personnel to People: How Human Resources Evolved with America
Celebrating 250 Years of the United States

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, we reflect on how
the American workplace has evolved. During the Industrial Revolution,
factories established the first personnel departments to address hiring,
safety, and working conditions for a growing workforce.

Throughout the 1900s, the Great Depression, World War II, and landmark
labor and civil rights laws further reshaped employment. By the 1950s, the
profession became known as Human Resources, recognizing people as an
organization's greatest resource. Today, UC Riverside continues this
tradition by supporting recruitment, development, wellness, engagement, and
leadership to help employees thrive.

As America marks 250 years of progress, Human Resources continues to invest
in the people who make success possible—a commitment at the heart of
everything we do at UC Riverside.


● Late 1800s Industrial Revolution
Factories expand the workforce.

│

● Early 1900s Personnel Departments
Teams support hiring and employee relations.

│

● 1930s Worker Protections
Labor laws strengthen rights.

│

● 1940s World War II
Recruitment and training prioritized.

│

● 1950s Human Resources
Modern name is adopted.

│

● 1960s–1970s Expanding Responsibilities
Civil rights and safety laws broaden HR.

│

★ Today @ UCR People First
Supporting recruitment, learning, wellness, leadership, and success.

Upcoming Events
Events Calendar <https://events.ucr.edu/department/human_resources>

hr.ucr.edu | questions: hrpolicy at ucr.edu
[image: Facebook]
<https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573851603084>[image:
Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ucrchr/>[image: YouTube]
<https://www.youtube.com/@ucrhumanresources>[image: LinkedIn]
<https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/central-human-resources/>
[image: image]
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