Newsletter
HR Spring 2026 Newsletter
Spring is in full swing at Liberty, bringing a busy season filled with milestones, and momentum across campus. This edition of the HR Newsletter highlights key updates and practical resources to support you as the semester winds down. From benefits and financial wellness tools to important dates and deadlines, we hope this issue helps you stay informed, prepared, and encouraged in the weeks ahead.
Message from the EVP
Spring has come in full, and you can feel it everywhere.
The air is warmer. The campus is alive. Flowers are pushing through the ground, and with them comes the familiar surge of activity that marks this time of year. At Liberty University, this is not a slow season.
Commencement is approaching. The fiscal year is closing. The semester is winding down. Deadlines stack up, expectations rise, and the pace of life — both at work and at home — begins to press in.
It’s easy, in a season like this, to give ourselves fully to work and quietly drift from the One who called us to it.
But when you look at the life of Jesus Christ, you see a different pattern. At the height of demand — when crowds were gathering, needs were urgent, and the mission was accelerating — He would withdraw. He stepped away from the noise, from the expectations, from even good and meaningful work to be alone with the Father.
In John 15, He gives us an image to anchor our lives in seasons like this: He is the vine, we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing. Nothing.
So, here’s the challenge: stay connected to the vine.
The work you’ve been entrusted with is too important to be done in your own strength. Prioritize time with the Father this week — and trust Him to give you everything you need.
Steve Foster
Executive Vice President of Human Resources
Automate Your Savings
Saving money is something we all strive to do, but it’s easy for good intentions to get lost in the busyness of everyday life. One simple way to stay on track is by using multiple payment elections in Workday.
With this feature, you can automatically direct part of your paycheck to a savings account, emergency fund, or any other financial goal. It’s a quick setup that helps your savings grow quietly in the background; no extra steps or reminders are needed.
To learn more about multiple payment elections, read our knowledge article on adding or updating payment elections.
A few minutes now can make budgeting and saving easier all year!
Understanding Your Leave: FMLA and Voya
Liberty partners with Voya to support employees who need time away from work. Voya manages Family and Medical Leave Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act leaves and serves as Liberty’s provider for short-term disability.
If You Need to Request Leave
- Notify your supervisor as soon as possible
- File a claim with Voya
- Contact HR if you have any additional questions
- Confirm your first day out directly with Voya
What does the approval timeline look like?
Timelines may vary depending on the type of leave, but generally:
- Claims are assigned to a case specialist within 2 business days
- Eligibility determinations are made within 5 business days
- Final approval is issued 3–5 business days after all required documentation is received
How will my time be entered into Workday?
Once your leave begins and you’ve contacted Voya, the Benefits team will enter your time directly into Workday. You may see a “Pending Leave” status while your request is under review — this simply means the leave has been requested but not yet approved.
Tips for a Smoother Process
- Consider filing your claim by phone with Voya, so you can ask questions and ensure nothing is missed.
- Submit your claim at least 30 days in advance, or as early as possible if the need is unexpected.
- Maintain open communication with your supervisor throughout your leave.
- Be sure to submit a return-to-work notice in Workday or through Voya when you’re ready to return.
Employee Benefits Updates
Open Enrollment is Almost Here
The Open Enrollment period for 2026–2027 will be May 18–31, 2026. All benefited employees will receive an item in their Workday Inbox to complete their Open Enrollment elections.
HR will also be offering Open Enrollment presentations and one-on-one sessions with a benefits team member. Click here to schedule a benefits review.
Group sessions will be available on:
- April 28
- May 1
- May 18
- May 20
HR will be sharing more information on open enrollment elections, group sessions, and departmental meetings in the coming weeks!
Free Personalized Financial Guidance
Managing your finances can feel overwhelming — taxes, retirement, investments, and everything in between. The good news is: you don’t have to figure it out on your own! In 2025, we rolled out a new financial wellness benefit called CAPTRUST at Work. CAPTRUST offers free, personalized financial guidance to help you plan with confidence.
A CAPTRUST advisor will be available for on‑campus, in‑person consultations on Thursday, April 23. Reserve your spot here. If you select an on‑campus consultation, your session will be held in a conference room in Human Resources – Green Hall, Room GH1560B.
Learn more about CAPTRUST and how their advisors can help. If you have any questions, call a CAPTRUST representative at (800) 967-9948.
Form 1095-C Availability
In compliance with the Affordable Care Act, Liberty University is required to provide Form 1095-C, which outlines your health insurance coverage for the previous year. Due to the recently enacted Paperwork Burden Reduction Act, employers are no longer required to automatically distribute Form 1095-C to all employees. Instead, this form will be provided upon your request and will be posted in the benefits portal.
To receive a copy of your Form 1095-C, please log into your self-service portal, or contact HR using one of the following methods:
- In-person: Green Hall, Room 1560
- Email: HR@liberty.edu
- Phone: (434) 592-7330
Requests can be made at any time, and the form will be provided to you within 30 days of your request.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- May 13: Employee Appreciation Luncheon
- June 18-19: The Leadership on the Mountain Summit
Need Additional Support from HR?
Workday Help is our go-to resource for any HR related questions and requests. With Workday Help, you can:
- Search our centralized knowledge base for quick answers to common questions
- Submit cases directly to HR and track their progress
- Communicate with HR through a clear message thread
- View all your HR cases in one place for easy reference
To learn how to submit a Workday Help case, simply search “how to create a case” in Workday.