Careers

Nov. 3 Hot Topics


Please Note: This is a copy of an internal PUD newsletter. We provide it here to keep you updated on information going to employees. We have removed links from the original newsletter because the linked content cannot be accessed from the Internet.

 To: Commissioners, all PUD employees
From: Communications Department
Subject: Hot topics for discussion the week of  Nov. 2-6, 2009.

(This advisory is sent to encourage districtwide discussion and awareness of key PUD issues. The intent is to give managers, supervisors and employees suggestions on topics they might discuss during departmental meetings. Contact Kimberlee Craig, Ext. 4320, or Christy Shearer, Ext. 4258, if you have questions.)

On the District Calendar

On the air
Gregg Carrington, Energy Resources managing director, will be interviewed at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday on KOZI Radio (93.5 FM) about a proposed agreement in principle with the state Department of Ecology to look at new water storage projects in and around the Columbia River.

Commission meeting news
At Monday’s meeting:

Stay well
The annual employee wellness screening is this week.

In addition to wellness testing, Therapeutic Touch will provide chair massage at the sessions to demonstrate the health benefits of massage. This will be done at no cost to the PUD. The 10-minute sessions are first-come first-serve with three massage therapists at Rock Island, Rocky Reach and Headquarters.

“Dirty Jobs” at Rocky Reach Dam will air Nov. 17
Set your DVR to record “Dirty Jobs” on the Discovery Channel at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 17.  That’s when the one-hour episode filmed at Rocky Reach last April will air. 

If you miss it, bring your lunch and watch it at noon on Nov. 18 in the Headquarters auditorium or at noon on Nov. 23 in the Rocky Reach Visitor Center theater. DVDs of the program will be available after Nov. 22. E-mail Christy Shearer for a copy.

Electric Toasters hosts fall Open House
Want to be a better speaker? Learn by doing -- among friends -- with the Electric Toasters at noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the HQ Aud. Bring your brown-bag lunch; we'll provide the coffee and cookies. Questions? Contact Kelly Cordell-Stine at ext. 4762.

Check in with Diversified
The Diversified Investment Advisor education specialist will be at the PUD Nov. 16-19.  To schedule a half-hour appointment, call Human Resources at ext. 4793.

Reminders on managing furlough
Human Resources wants employees to know there is a way to handle the gift or PL forfeiture exchange of furlough in less than eight-hour segments. The option only can be used if the gift or the exchange for forfeited PL results in reducing the furlough balance to zero for the beneficiary or the employee exchanging (forfeiting) PL.

Circumstances vary, but the deadline is Dec. 4 for processing a gift of furlough or to request an   exchange (forfeiture) of PL. Examples of cases where the procedure would be allowed are posted on the Contingency Planning page of PUDToday with other furlough information.

Contact Jennifer Dixon in payroll, ext. 4655, or Beverly Freeman, benefits manager, ext. 4448, if you have questions. 

Get to know the new Maximo
The District will change to the new version of Maximo - v7 – on Jan. 4. All employees who use Maximo or will be using it need to attend training classes. Sign up in PeopleSoft with course numbers from the calendar on the Maximo Training Intranet site. “Navigation Training” is a pre-requisite for any additional training for purchasing, work orders, etc. Click here to learn how to view available classes by subject. Have questions? Contact Maryann Wood, ext. 4004.

Planning ahead for HQ visitors
When planning to meet visitors in the Headquarters lobby, please let the  switchboard operator/receptionist know  ahead of time by sending the meeting details. Visitors often arrive without knowing where the meeting is or don’t have the name of their PUD contact. If reception has the meeting information, they can help you get your meeting started on time.

Short outage for e-mail this weekend
IT will move District e-mail accounts from one server to another this weekend. Your individual mailbox will be unavailable for a few minutes at most sometime during the move. If you are using your mailbox during the move, a message will pop up and tell you to restart Outlook.  After you restart Outlook, all should be back to normal. If you have questions contact Darryl Doughty at ext 4260 or Tim O’Brien, ext 4113.

Get your vehicle ready for winter
If the PUD vehicle you drive had snow tires last year and you’d like them installed, please fill out the Fleet Automotive Repair Request to get your service scheduled.

PL deferral into 457 
Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30 each year, an employee with more than 80 hours of accrued personal leave may transfer the cash equivalent of that excess PL (your balance may not go below 80 hours) to the District’s 457 plan.  Please see Administrative Policy 109 and CBA 5.1.9.

PL transferred to the 457 plan is not eligible for 401(a) matching contributions and is subject to the IRS annual limits of $16,500 for under 50 years of age and $22,000 for those 50 and older. 

The contribution will appear on the Dec. 11 paycheck and will be in addition to and processed separately from your regular 457 contributions.

Payroll has developed a spreadsheet to help employees with the deferral calculations.  You will need your most current pay stub to complete.  You may find the spreadsheet online at:
PL to 457 Spreadsheet Calculator
PL-457 Deferral Form

Please complete and send to HR for processing.  Forms must be received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. Contact Beverly Freeman, benefits manager, with questions, ext. 4448.