Kim Foley, MURA Representative
Two policies impacting current staff were recently updated: The first is HR107 Attendance. After extensive meetings with union representatives, this policy update became effective February 1, 2026, and applies only to hourly employees. These updates are intended to provide a structure for handling absences and tardiness more consistently across colleges, schools, and divisions. The updates include a system of “occurrences” and resulting disciplinary actions.
The second policy updated, HR-522 Remote Work, supports Prioritizing an In-Person Workforce to Support Our Mission. After six years of alternate work arrangements necessary for safety and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic, this update is intended to bring the vast majority of faculty and staff back to a physical workspace in a University location by August 3, 2026. Exception requests were submitted by managers by March 16, and must be approved by the president, chancellor, chief executive officer, or general counsel. Employees will know the status of their exception requests by mid-May. As you might imagine, this has been a heavily debated topic in Staff Advisory Council meetings and across all four campuses.
Both policies are intended to create a vibrant, in-person, fully-engaged work and learning environment, with an elevated level of consistency across the UM System to best serve students and all who rely on us to deliver our mission.
Finally, the Voluntary Defined Contribution Opt-In Program allows current employees who are vested in the Defined Benefit (pension) Plan or pension component of the Hybrid Plan to transfer to the Defined Contribution Program. This one-time, optional opportunity was created in response to requests from employees who desired greater flexibility and control in their retirement planning. The decision deadline for employees to change their retirement plan is April 10, 2026. The program will have no impact on benefit levels for current retirees; the pension plan remains in good financial health and members can count on the benefits they have earned.
If you have questions on these or other topics of joint interest to Staff Advisory Council and MURA, feel free to reach out to me at foleyk@missouri.edu or to staffadvisorycouncil@missouri.edu.
