Introduction of the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism for the Office of Staff Legal Assistance Dear Colleague, We d like to provide you with the following information to support your decision on whether or not to opt out of the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism for the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA). What is the Voluntary supplemental funding mechanism? The General Assembly has made a decision (resolution 68/254) to establish a mechanism to take a voluntary payroll deduction from staff members salaries to supplement the funding of OSLA. This will be introduced on an experimental basis, from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2015. Staff members who do not wish to participate may opt out. The funds collected from the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism will be used to finance additional resources for OSLA. What is OSLA? OSLA provides its services to current staff members, former staff members and any person wishing to make a claim in the name of an incapacitated or deceased staff member. All staff members will continue to have the same access to OSLA s services during the period of 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015, whether or not the staff member has decided to opt out of the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism. How much is the voluntary payroll deduction? The amount of the voluntary payroll deduction is 0.05 per cent of a staff member s net base salary, excluding post adjustment and other allowances. Examples of estimated monthly amounts by duty station and grade are attached (ANNEX I). The voluntary payroll deduction will be adjusted automatically to account for any change in grade, step or other change in net base salary. How can I opt out? Staff members who do not wish to participate in the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism may opt out by filling out the attached form (ANNEX II).
If you have already provided the Opt-out form to HR, there is no need to re-send it. Staff members who have opted out may resume participation in the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism at any time by filling out the attached form. Staff members who wish to make a voluntary contribution to the mechanism for the period of 1 January to 1 July 2014 may do so through a one-time payroll deduction by filling out the attached form (ANNEX III). When will deductions begin? The first deduction for staff members who do not opt out will start with the July 2014 payroll. Kind regards, Staff Administrative Services, Office of Human Resources 1
Annex II Opt-out/Resume participation in the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism for the Office of Staff Legal Assistance Name: Index no.: Organization: Bureau/Office/Unit: Duty station: Mark only one (1) box below: I wish to opt out: I hereby convey my decision to opt out of participation in the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism and monthly payroll deduction for the supplemental funding of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance, with effect from the next payroll cycle following the date of signature of this form. I understand that I may resume participation in the voluntary supplemental mechanism at a later date. Or: I have previously opted out and wish to resume participation: I hereby convey my decision to resume participation in the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism and monthly payroll deduction for the supplemental funding of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance, with effect from the next payroll cycle following the date of signature of this form. Signature Date Please return the completed form to your local HR office. If you are international staff or local staff administered by OHR/SAS please return the form to your HR Focal point in OHR/SAS.
Annex III One-time contribution to the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism for the Office of Staff Legal Assistance Payroll deduction authorization form Name: Index no.: Organization: Bureau/Office/Unit: Duty station: I hereby authorize the deduction of 0.05 per cent of my monthly net base salary from my payroll for the months of (check which apply): January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 as a one-time contribution to the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism for the Office of Staff Legal Assistance. Signature Date Please return the completed form to your local HR office. If you are international staff or local staff administered by OHR/SAS please return the form to your HR Focal point in OHR/SAS. 1