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UA Service & Retirement Awards FAQ's
3. I have five years of service. Am I eligible to receive a 5-year Service Award?
5. Does my time as a student employee count?
6. I took a sabbatical leave last year. How does this affect my Service Awards eligibility?
7. Does my time in a residency program count?
9. What if I was eligible last year, but missed the event?
10. May I bring a guest to the luncheon?
12. If I didn't have changes to my report, do I still need to turn one in?
14. An employee in my unit is on layoff status. Does her layoff time count toward a Service Award?
1. If my cumulative UA service reaches the 10 (15, 20, etc.) year mark later this year, do I attend the event this April, or wait until next year?
The Service Awards are calculated on a calendar year basis, so you are invited to participate if you reach a milestone that year.
back to top2. I am a half-time employee hired 10 (15, 20, etc.) years ago. Am I eligible to receive a 10-year (15, 20, etc.) Service Award, or is my time prorated?
The Service Awards are designed to recognize total length of time as a benefits-eligible University of Arizona employee, regardless of full-time equivalency. Total amount of time in a benefits-eligible position should be calculated the same: based on actual years, whether part-time, full-time, or a combination during your years of service.
3. I have five years of service. Am I eligible to receive a 5-year Service Award?
The University-wide service awards are designed to recognize total length beginning with 10 years.
4. I joined the University fifteen years ago, but took a one-year leave of absence. Am I still eligible for my 15 year award this spring?
Unpaid leaves of absence do not qualify towards Service Awards.
5. Does my time as a student employee count?
Your commitment as a student employee is valued, however Service and Retirement Awards are intended to recognize only benefits-eligible staff and faculty.
6. I took a sabbatical leave last year. How does this affect my Service Awards eligibility?
Sabbaticals are a recognized part of faculty positions. Employees on sabbatical leave are considered as on-going employees of the University and their benefits-eligible status is maintained. Therefore, sabbatical leave is not considered a break in service for the purpose of the Service Awards.
7. Does my time in a residency program count?
Yes, it does as residency positions are benefits-eligible employment.
8. Why does my statement from the Arizona State Retirement System indicate a different number of service years than that shown in the Service Awards report?
For the Service Awards, the system calculates the current calendar year less the calendar year of hire to achieve an approximate number of service years. The statements issued by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) are calculated much more precisely for retirement planning. ASRS statements may also include service time from other contributory employment - i.e, other state agencies where you have worked. All questions regarding your ASRS statement may be directed to 1-800-621-3778.
9. What if I was eligible last year, but missed the event?
You may call 621-1438, the Office of University Events, to be added to the invitation list for this year's event.
10. May I bring a guest to the luncheon?
Seating is limited, only those being honored can attend.
11. I did not receive any reports this year. Where can I get the Service Awards report and the Service Breaks Report?
The Service Award report is found in UAccess Analytics (http://uaccess.arizona.edu). Go to Analytics/Reporting, click on the Business Manager Home page and click on the Service Awards tab. If you don't see a report, it is because there are no Service Awards recipients in your department. Breaks in Service are being manually calculated by Human Resources, who will then give the department a list of those eligible to verify. Starting next year, the system will automatically calculate. Please call Records with any questions, 621-5970 or 621-9329.
12. If I don't have changes to my report, do I still need to turn one in?
Notifying Human Resources that you don't have any changes is sufficient by emailing serviceawards@email.arizona.edu.
13. I am working on the reports. How do I know the correct years of service for an employee who recently transferred into my department or was just rehired into the University?
Human Resources Employee Records maintains the employee's complete employment file from their original hire date. Please call Records at 621-5970. We will be able to access the file and calculate the correct years of service for you.
14. An employee in my unit is on layoff status. Does her layoff time count toward a Service Award?
An employee on layoff status is not an active, paid employee, therefore, layoff time does not count toward the total years of service calculation.
15. An employee in my department just retired in January, but the system indicates her as "T" - terminated rather than "R" - retired. Will she be invited to the retiree dinner?
The term "retiree" is used in many different ways and for various purposes. For example, optional retirement plan definitions and benefits may differ; some people terminate their University employment and refer to themselves as being retired; and still others may be eligible to retire but are not receiving benefits from their retirement plan. For purposes of the annual retirement awards dinner, individuals coded as "R" in the system are included on the invitation list. This "R" indicates Official University Retirement Status, which is outlined at http://www.hr.arizona.edu/09_rel/policies/pp204.php. Those individuals with a "T" status will not appear on the list.
16. Can we reserve a table?
You can send a representative from your area to the Student Union Memorial Center North Ballroom at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event to reserve a table(s). If you reserve a table(s), please inform your employees to look for those tables.
If you have additional questions regarding employment eligibility, please contact Human Resources Employee Records at 621-5970. For questions about the recognition events, please contact the Office of University Events at 621-1438.
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