Contact Us

University Human Resources (UHR) & Office of Labor Relations (OLR)
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
UHR: 646-664-3259
OLR: 646-664-2970

University Benefits Office (UBO)

Welcome to the University Benefits Office! Our team administers all employee benefits programs available to CUNY employees and retirees. CUNY’s goal is to offer a comprehensive benefits package that will meet both the present and future needs of our employees and their families. The types of benefits managed through UBO include health, welfare, retirement and other programs. Depending upon your role at CUNY, you are eligible for a specific benefit program.

This website will allow you to obtain a summary of the benefits available to you, as well as to research your benefit plans in more detail. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your

Employees are encouraged to contact the UBO Employee Helpline should they need assistance; call 646-664-2420 or email UniversityBenefits@cuny.edu.

Crises in Israel-Gaza/West Bank

The deeply disturbing unfolding violence in Israel-Gaza/West Bank will have our community feeling stressed and many may be concerned about family, friends, and loved ones in the area. We want to make sure everyone is aware that CUNY’s Employee Assistance Provider, CCA is available to provide personal counseling and support to all CUNY employees. Employees can call CCA or log on to CUNY’s Work/Life page at any time:

CCA’s dedicated webpage on this topic, (You may need to enter Company Code: “CUNY” to view the page) contains various information sheets and resources about managing responses to the violence and traumatic events we are seeing unfold. Some of the resources are more general and others are specific to the current crisis.

Coronavirus Wellness Resources

Employee Assistance Program:

Faculty and Staff who may be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety during this time are encouraged to reach out to our Employee Assistance Plan Provider, CCA. They are available by phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 800-833-8707 or by logging in to the CUNY Employee Assistance Plan website presented by . The Company Code is “cuny”.

CCA provides telehealth options and other resources for those adjusting to remote working or those experiencing anxiety related to Covid19.

No-Cost At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Starting January 15, 2022 and through the end of the Public Health Emergency Period, eligible employees may be entitled to over the counter COVID 19 at home tests at no cost through their health insurance provider. These at home tests must be FDA approved and may not be used for employment purposes. For additional information, procedures and claim forms, please use the applicable link below.

Telemedicine:

Many of our Health Insurance Carriers are now offering expanded opportunities to speak with medical providers by telephone or video (telemedicine).

Follow this link to a chart displaying what each carrier is offering their members: Telemedicine Chart

Mental Health Resources:

  • The has published resources so employees may educate themselves on planning, preparing, and coping with stress before and during a COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The  provides additional information and access to assistance for those coping with stress and anxiety related to COVID-19.

The free digital mental health resources below will also be available for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • page

Additional Resources:

WorkWell NYC is offering live and on demand free at-home fitness classes so you can be part of the movement-anywhere, anytime.

Use the link below to register for live classes. CUNY is listed under agency.

To take part in on-demand fitness videos, follow along with instructors to move more and relieve stress in 20 minutes or less.

Many employees working from home have found themselves in makeshift workstations often without a proper desk, chair, computer monitor, keyboard or lighting. Setting up a proper workstation will help minimize potential ergonomic injuries to the back, neck and shoulders.

New York City Health provides ergonomic for working from home.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) provides information and a to help create a safe and comfortable computer workstation.

Benefits Forms

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy and Information

Non-FMLA Medical Leave Forms

Additional Benefits Forms

Retirement

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation provides benefits and assistance to all tax levy employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness. The New York City Law Department serves as the insurance carrier for CUNY and administers all claims.

All tax levy employees are eligible to apply for Workers’ Compensation. Coverage begins from the date of employment and continues when employment has ended. Employees should report the incident to their supervisor, Campus Security and Public Safety, and the Workers’ Compensation Administrator at their Human Resources department. Compensability is determined by the State of New York Workers’ Compensation Board.

See Campus Workers’ Compensation Contacts.

Direct Deposit Authorization Form
Workers’ Compensation recipients wishing to enroll, change, or cancel their direct deposit as the form of benefit payment may complete the Direct Deposit Authorization Form and return it to the noted address.

Direct Deposit Authorization Form

Workers’ Compensation Forms

Paid Family Leave

New York State Paid Family Leave Benefits (PFL) are available for certain Classified Staff Titles and PSC members through Collective Bargaining Agreements. PFL is an employee-funded insurance policy that provides job protected, paid time-off to:

  • Bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child;
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition;
  • Assist loved ones when a family member is deployed in a foreign country on active military service.

Eligible employees who work at Community Colleges (on New York City Payroll) are covered under New York City’s Paid Family Leave Insurance Policy provided by MetLife. Eligible employees who work at Senior Colleges (on New York State Payroll) are covered under a Paid Family Leave Insurance Policy provided by the Standard.

For more information on the PFL benefits, eligibility, cost and how to file a claim, follow the links below for more information.

Community College Employees

Classified Staff (NYC) Read More

As of January 8, 2020, members of the Classified Staff in certain titles became eligible for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits. This may entitle employees to to take up to twelve weeks of Paid Family Leave (PFL) for one of the following events:

  • Bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition, or
  • Assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent is deployed abroad on active military service.

For more information please see the following Statement of Rights and Notices:

PSC Employees (NYC) Read More

Pursuant to bargaining between the City University of New York (CUNY) and the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) PFL benefits will be available for PSC members at Community Colleges beginning April 11, 2021.

ECP and CSM Employees (NYC) Read More

Paid Family Leave Benefits are available for ECP and CSM members beginning May 19, 2022.

Senior College Employees

Classified Staff (NYS) Read More

As of March 1, 2021, members of the Classified Staff in certain titles became eligible for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits. This may entitle employees to take up to twelve weeks of Paid Family Leave (PFL) for one of the following events:

  • Bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition, or
  • Assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent is deployed abroad on active military service.

For more information please see the following Statement of Rights and Notices:

PSC Employees (NYS) Read More

Pursuant to bargaining between the City University of New York (CUNY) and the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) PFL benefits will be available for PSC members at Senior Colleges beginning March 8, 2021.

ECP and CSM Employees (NYS) Read More

Paid Family Leave benefits are available for ECP and CSM members beginning March 1, 2022.

FAQS for Employees (NYS)

Pre-Retirement Planning and Post-Retirement Information

Retirement is one of the most important events we will experience. The process may seem daunting, and you may have many questions as you prepare for that chapter in your life. The information provided below will assist you in understanding the process and answering many of the questions you may have. The information below is a combination of resources from CUNY, NYC Office of Labor Relations and the Retirement Systems (TRS, NYCERS and TIAA).

NYC Office of Labor Relations Information Sessions and Webinars:

The NYC Office of Labor Relations has designed seminars for employees who are contemplating retirement, and who have specific concerns, for example, the available health benefits options. These specialized seminars are conducted at 40 Rector Street, 3rd floor. All interested employees, please sign up for these seminars on the OLR website at the page.

For those with limited time available during the day, OLR has createda two-part video which also addresses these issues. Please click on the links below to view:

CUNY University Benefits Office Retirement Planning Recordings and Presentations

The University Benefits Office conducts annual pre-retirement seminars for Instructional, ECP, Classified Managerial and Classified titles. These slide presentations are used during those seminars. Below are links to the recordings of the recent seminars for Instructional Staff as well as the slides presented in both Instructional and Classified seminars.

Pre-Retirement Forms/Important Links

Phased Retirement

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

CUNY WORK/LIFE GRAPHIC FOR PRESENTATION

Juggling your personal & professional life? The can help and it’s FREE to employees and their families. Use “CUNY” for the company code. Learn more about the range of support and convenient services provided by CCA in the EAP Overview.

For more information – Please see the CUNY Wellness Page CUNY Employee Wellness Program – The City University of New York.

CUNY
Wellness Program

Please check out CUNY’s Employee Wellness Program page for resources and upcoming wellness events!

TIAA – Personal Data Notification

The CUNY eMall is a virtual shopping plaza where merchants offer a variety of discounts and other promotional programs on goods and services to CUNY faculty and staff. To access the eMall you must log into the CUNY portal.