OVPR Human Resources Information

Find information on recruiting, personnel management, professional development, benefits and other resources for current UT Austin employees.

The OVPR Human Resources (HR) team is available to assist with any and all needs related to recruiting and managing people within the OVPR portfolio. For full details, forms, and processes on the services OVPR Human Resources offers, view the OVPR HR dashboard.

OVPR Human Resources (HR) Dashboard

Learning and Development

Looking to broaden knowledge and/or skills? The University of Texas at Austin offers a variety of professional development opportunities to staff and faculty members.

LinkedIn Learning

The University of Texas at Austin offers access to LinkedIn Learning trainings for students, staff and faculty through UTLearn. Learn more about LinkedIn Learning at UT Austin.

UT Austin Learning and Development has curated Career Path Collections accessible on UTLearn and LinkedIn Learning. These include:

  • Management
  • Accounting
  • HR Professionals
  • Administrative
  • Project Management
  • Customer Service
  • Business Analyst

UT Austin Resources

Career Development Lunch and Learn Series

This series of webinars provides information to help launch, fine-tune or shift career development. Each session offers a new and practical subject. Visit Career Development Services for recorded webinars on a variety of career topics.

Center for Professional Education

The Center for Professional Education offers courses, certificate programs and workforce training designed to build individual careers and support productive and efficient work teams. There are also discounts available for these courses.

View the course catalog.

Staff Tuition Assistance Program

The University’s Staff Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides full-time staff with the opportunity to pursue knowledge and to advance their personal and professional development by providing tuition assistance for credit courses.

UT Austin provides full-time (40 hours/week) employees with the cost of in-state tuition for one eligible course per long semester, or more than one eligible course per long semester provided the combined number of credit hours does not exceed three hours.

Employees must have worked at UT for at least one continuous year prior to the start of classes, received a rating of Meets Expectations or higher on their most recent performance review and have been admitted to The University of Texas at Austin as a student to qualify for this benefit. For more info, see the Staff Tuition Assistance page of UT's HR site.

Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO) at UT Austin

HDO Professional Training brings together UT Austin’s finest researchers to provide a transformative educational experience for current and aspiring leaders. Drawing on an innovative combination of the humanities, behavioral sciences and social sciences, these programs are designed to meet a need not addressed by other executive education options: providing a deep understanding of people, the key components of any organization.

The HDO offers individual and group professional trainings.

Staff Council Professional Development Grant Program

The Staff Council established a Professional Development Grant Program to help support staff pursuing professional development opportunities. For details, eligibility or timelines, see the Staff Council Professional Development Grant page.

Benefits

Insurance

Eligible employees who wish to enroll in the UT group insurance program will receive the basic coverage package consisting of:

  • UT Select Medical for Employee Only
  • UT Select Prescription Drug Plan for Employee Only
  • $50,000 Group Term Life Insurance for Employee Only
  • $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment for Employee Only

Eligible employees who wish to gain coverage beyond the basic coverage package may enroll themselves and eligible dependents in optional insurance benefits.

All enrollment, changes and viewing details on insurance can be done through the Benefits Portal.

Retirement

UT Austin has two mandatory retirement programs – most employees are required to contribute to Teachers Retirement System (TRS). Employees in certain jobs have the option to contribute to either TRS or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Employees who are eligible to choose their retirement program will be informed of this during onboarding.

UT Austin has additional voluntary retirement programs if employees would like to utilize an additional retirement account. Find information on both mandatory and voluntary retirement programs.

Employees who are planning to retire should review the pre-retirement checklist for all of the necessary forms/notifications to ensure a smooth transition.

Employee Discounts

UT Austin employees enjoy a variety of discounts on services and events throughout central Texas. Below is a sample. For the full, up-to-date list, visit UT Austin Human Resources.

CapMetro

UT Austin students, staff and faculty have access to CapMetro for free with a UT ID Card.

Care.com

UT Austin offers eligible employees access to Care.com, which contains discounts related to parenting, senior care, education and house and home services. Care.com also provides access to LifeMart discounts on hotels, car rentals, car purchases, theme park tickets, electronics, groceries and more.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

UT Austin students, staff and faculty have free entrance to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Show a UT ID at the admissions kiosk, or mark “UT Faculty, Staff or Student” when making reservations.

Recreational Sports (RecSports)

Staff and faculty have access to Recreational Sports at a discounted rate. Recreational Sports promotes physical fitness, healthy habits and balanced behaviors through an array of recreation facilities, programs, services, special events and student employment opportunities. Programs offered include Intramural Sports, Fitness/Wellness, Outdoor Recreation, Sport Clubs, Instructional and Informal Recreation.

Texas Athletics

Staff and Faculty can get 20% off season tickets or 20% off up to two single game tickets per game (if tickets are available) through Texas Athletics. To purchase a ticket with the discount, call the ticket office at (512) 471-3333.

Discounts are not applied when trying to purchase online. Provide the representative with UT EID to confirm eligibility. Phone lines are open Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 4 PM.

Employee Resources

Employee Assistance Program

UT Austin’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a variety of programs and services to staff and faculty. They provide behavioral health expertise, promote wellness and develop solutions to life's challenges. Some offerings include, but are not limited to:

  • Counseling and consultations
  • Mental health assessment and referrals
  • Trainings
  • Blogs
  • Supervisory consultation
  • Groups and series

Groups and series offerings include eldercare support group, mindful meditation, neurodivergent support group, parenting in challenging times, yoga for anxiety and more.

HealthPoint Wellness

The HealthPoint Wellness Program provides educational opportunities and wellness programs.

UT Living Well Platform

For UT Select Insurance Plan members, the Living Well Platform guides employees to help them achieve physical, emotional, financial and work well-being goals. Use this new portal to explore wellness programs, register for and track activities and access content to help with healthy living. Log into UT Living Well Platform.

Wellness Time Off

Wellness Time Off supports the overall well-being of leave-eligible University employees. Eligible employees have access to a maximum of eight (8) hours of wellness time off each fiscal year, which is prorated based on scheduled weekly hours for part-time employees. Wellness Time Off hours may be used for activities supporting the prevention, treatment, and/or promotion of employees’ physical, mental and/or emotional well-being or for any other reason of personal significance to the employee.

Wellness Programs & Resources

HealthPoint coordinates a variety of Wellness Programs and Resources across UT. These include:

Staff Emergency Fund

The University’s Staff Emergency Fund (SEF) provides limited financial assistance if employees are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of a temporary hardship related to an emergency situation.

Sick Leave Pool

The Sick Leave Pool (SLP) is a reserve of sick time off hours donated by University employees to provide eligible employees with paid sick time off for catastrophic medical conditions.

State Service Transfer

Employees who have worked for another Texas State Agency can transfer state service credit by completing the Transfer of State Service form. Simply complete the top section (a separate form will be needed for each State Agency) and send to the appropriate OVPR HR representative or directly to Central HR at hrsc@austin.utexas.edu. Read more about state service credit.

University Holiday Schedule

Employees receive paid holiday time off when they are appointed to work at least 20 hours per week for at least 4.5 continuous months. Faculty must be appointed for at least 50% time for at least 4.5 continuous months. Employees who are appointed less than full-time will be granted holiday leave based on the percentage of hours appointed. See this year’s holiday schedule.

Outside Employment

An employee may accept outside employment as long as their outside employment and volunteer activities will not create a real or perceived conflict of interest or commitment. These activities must also not interfere with an employee's full and proper performance of their University employment.

Outside employment is defined as any activity such as, but not necessarily limited to, consulting, advising, testing or assaying, performing analysis or examinations, the practice of one's profession, or similar work performed in addition to the official responsibilities of a full-time University employee. Most outside employment includes compensation, but some volunteer activities may also be included.

The University’s policy is to provide a transparent system of disclosure, approval and documentation of employee’s outside employment (HOP 5-2011). Find links to disclose outside employment on the UT Human Resources website.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers' Compensation Insurance (WCI) provides employees with medical benefits and, in some cases, weekly income payments, if they suffer a work-related injury or occupational illness. For an injury or illness to be work-related, it has to originate while the employee is engaged in the work required by their job for the University.

If injured on the job, be sure to reach out to OVPR HR as soon as possible to report the injury.

University Ombuds Office

The purpose of the University Ombuds Offices at UT-Austin is to assure that every voice in complex institutional systems can be heard and that every problem can receive an impartial review. Ombuds are an off-the-record, voluntary resource. Visit the Ombuds Office website for more details

Department of Investigation and Adjudication

The University of Texas at Austin is committed to advancing a diverse, equitable and supportive campus culture. As part of that commitment, the University created the Department of Investigation and Adjudication (DIA) to investigate allegations of discrimination, harassment and other prohibited conduct. These claims can involve students, faculty, staff, contractors, applicants, visitors and other members of the University community. As a neutral investigator, DIA supports the University in fostering a campus environment that is inclusive, respectful and free from discrimination and harassment. More information is available on the Department of Investigations website.

Title IX Office

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX protects all members of the campus community who experience sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence (including dating and domestic violence), stalking or discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. These protections apply to students, faculty, staff, contractors, applicants and campus visitors. The Title IX office can help with support and resources, training and professional development, and will investigate any reports related to Title IX offenses. Learn more about Title IX at UT.

Annual Deadlines

Third Friday in January Submit Personnel Update form (PUF) for changes effective 3/1.
First Friday in June Submit PUFs for changes effective 9/1.
First Friday in March Position responsibilities for all staff distributed to supervisors to review for accuracy in preparation for the performance reviews period.
Last Friday in March Supervisors to submit revisions to the position responsibilities for their staff to the OVPR HR team.
First Monday in April OVPR HR team will launch performance reviews with self-evaluations.
First Friday in June Complete performance review meetings and submit reviews via Workday.
Second Friday in June Submit performance review certifications.