HRExpress - November 2026

• If you change from Iowa Choice to National Choice (or vice versa), you will need to reselect your dependents as they will not automatically carry over to the new plan.

• Remember, you must enroll each year in the Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or the Dependent Care FSA, or both, if you wish to participate.

• Check out the new Open Enrollment Training - 2027 available in Workday Learning! This on-demand course will explain your benefit options and demonstrate how to complete your Open Enrollment benefits review. Attached to this course, you will also find our Open Enrollment Guide - 2027 with step-by-step instructions for completing your benefits review.

• If you start the Open Enrollment process in Workday and decide to take a break, be sure to choose “Save for Later” to save your work. When you do this, you MUST go back and finish your enrollment before the deadline date. Your final enrollment selections will not be processed unless you finish the process and select the “Review and Sign” section.

• NEW FOR 2027! - Vision insurance will now be a State-sponsored benefit through Delta Dental of Iowa.  Elections for the vision plan will need to be made in the Workday platform for a January 1, 2027 effective date. If you are currently enrolled in either the Avesis or EyeMed voluntary vision plans offered through World Insurance, your coverage will remain in effect through December 31, 2026.  Additional information about the new vision plan and payroll deductions can be found in the Open Enrollment edition of HRExpress. Avesis and EyeMed plans through World Insurance will no longer be available after January 1, 2027.

• Open Enrollment is a great time to ensure your home address and beneficiary designations are accurate, although this may be done at any time throughout the year in Workday.

• More Open Enrollment information is available on the Open Enrollment webpage.

Are you a supervisor looking for practical ways to address employee performance concerns?

Join DAS-HRE on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for a one-hour webinar focused on recognizing performance issues early and helping employees get back on track. Explore common causes of poor performance, non-disciplinary approaches to employee growth, and when work directives or performance improvement plans may be appropriate.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026 | 10 –11 a.m. | Virtual via Zoom 

Register in Workday Learning

We’re excited to announce a streamlined application process for the Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program! Applications are now being accepted for CPM Cohort 47 (January 2027) and must be submitted through the new online application. PDF applications will no longer be accepted.

The new online process will make applying easier for applicants and help PDS streamline application processing.

From leadership and communication to problem-solving and workplace skills, there’s still time to build your skills before the end of the year. Explore these upcoming PDS offerings and find an opportunity that fits your learning goals.

*Listed cost is for agencies participating in the training utility fee

According to the CDC, as many as 115 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, and 27% of adults with diabetes may not know they have it. Take steps to defend yourself or manage diabetes if you’ve been diagnosed — watch the Diabetes Awareness webinar now to learn about:

• Everyday symptoms that many people may overlook

• What type 1, type 2 and prediabetes mean for your health

• The importance of insulin, glucose and tracking your A1C

• How improving mood, diet, exercise and sleep can reduce your risk

Register for the webinar now and watch it any time.

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Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross® Blue Shield®, and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Wellmark® is a registered mark of Wellmark, Inc. WebMD® is a registered mark of WebMD Health Services Group, Inc. WebMD is owned by a separate company and provides wellness services on behalf of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Just as physical first aid teaches you how to address an injury, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) equips you to support someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis.

In this valuable course, you will learn to identify warning signs, approach situations with empathy, and connect colleagues to appropriate professional help. We encourage all employees to consider this training to help us build supportive workplace culture.

Course Details:

• Format: Hybrid (approx. 2 hours online pre-work + 1 full-day in-person workshop)

• Cost: $40

• Upcoming Dates: Dec. 9, 2026 | Mar. 24, 2027 | Jun. 23, 2027

Register today!

As we head into the 2026 tax season, employees are encouraged to elect electronic W-2 forms in Workday instead of receiving them by mail. Electronic W-2s offer several benefits, including earlier access to the document, convenient access and storage, and enhanced security of your personal information.

To ensure your W-2 election is recorded before W-2 forms are printed and mailed, please update your preferences in Workday by Jan. 1, 2027. Once selected, paper W-2s will not be mailed unless consent is revoked in a future tax year.

Refer to the W-2 Smart Guide for more detailed instructions.

Easily access learning-related reports in Workday pertinent to your role using the following report lists:

• Learn Manager Reports

• Learn Employee Reports

1. Review available resources, including step-by-step guides, presentations, and video training sessions in Workday Learning’s Workday Employees topic. Review the Workday Foundations program for guidance on navigating Workday and using important hubs.

2. Ask a friend. If you know other employees who have the same job responsibilities, ask if they have a solution for you. This is often the easiest and fastest way to address your questions.

3. Create a Support Ticket. Use ServiceNow Plus to create a Workday Support ticket. Review the ServiceDesk Plus Training Docs for help in creating a ticket.

With headline news constantly focusing on economic shifts, rising everyday costs, and market swings, it is completely natural to feel uncertain about your financial future. Your instinctive reaction is often to take action or step back to protect what you’ve built.

However, moving or withdrawing funds from your retirement account during periods of market fluctuations can significantly impact your long-term savings goals. History consistently reveals two core truths about investing:

1. Markets are cyclical and tend to recover over time. Short-term dips are uncomfortable, but remaining invested allows your portfolio to participate in eventual market rebounds and recover.

2. Volatility is a normal part of long-term wealth building. Portfolios are built to weather temporary downturns as part of the broader growth process.  Staying the course remains one of the most effective strategies for long-term financial security.

Try the estate planning calculator

While volatility is often associated with negativity and downward movements in the stock market, it is technically neither good nor bad. Volatility is the quick and unpredictable price fluctuation of an investment or entire market (i.e. bond market, stock market, etc.). Fluctuations can be both positive and negative and vary in frequency and severity. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Relax. Savings for retirement can be stressful if you are constantly worrying about daily fluctuations. Know the performance of your investments, but do not pay too much attention to the day-to-day changes in the market. Without it, process cannot be made.
• Diversify, Diversify, Diversify. Diversification simply means you do not put all of your eggs (money) in one basket (investment). Spreading your money across a wide variety of investments is a good way to minimize risk during volatile times in the markets. If you are not comfortable creating your own mix of investments, you can select a Target Date Fund, a diversified investment designed for retirement savings.
• Stick to the Plan. It is easy to lose sight of the goal – a comfortable retirement – when things are not going as planned. How much time you have to invest will help determine how much volatility you can endure.

Questions?

November is a time to appreciate what matters most: family, friends and the life you’ve worked hard to build. It’s also an opportunity to consider how you’ll support that life in retirement.

Before the holiday rush begins, take a few minutes for a retirement readiness check-in. Have your goals changed? Are you saving consistently? Do you have a clear picture of where your retirement income will come from?

Understanding how a pension, personal savings and other income sources may work together is an important starting point. Think about the retirement you envision, including everyday expenses, travel, hobbies and time with loved ones.

You don’t have to answer every question at once. Start by reviewing your progress and identifying one step you can take before year-end.

This season of gratitude, give your future self something to appreciate: time spent preparing today. A conversation with your local Horace Mann representative can help you get started.