Whether you are new to the Universities of Wisconsin or have worked in human resources for a while, below is a list of systems, helpful links, and legislative references for Human Resource Professionals to use in their daily job duties.
Many of the systems require authorized access. Work closely with your supervisor to determine which system(s) to request access to.
UW-Shared Services
Use the UW-Shared Services, Service Operations website to access system related information for HR Professionals, including payroll schedules and calendars.
Job Aids
Find HR system Job Aids for common HR processes such as requesting and approving job requisitions, conducting background checks, managing temporary changes in pay, and overseeing performance reviews.
Human Resource System
Access to the Human Resource System (Workday) is vital to your job duties. You will need to request access to the HR system.
Cypress
Cypress is a report distribution service. Reports are delivered to your Cypress inbox on a daily or weekly basis (depending on the report). Receiving and reviewing these reports is a ongoing activity for Benefits and Payroll administrators. Visit the main Cypress web page to learn how to request access and install the Cypress client.
UW Business Intelligence (UWBI)
Employees use Business Intelligence (BI) to help make strategic decisions across various levels. UWBI allows the leveraging of software and services to transform data into actionable intelligence to better assist with decision making.
Workday
After signing into Workday:
- Employees can access payroll documents, enter their leave time, review leave statements, update their personal information, and access My Insurance Benefits to complete benefits enrollment and make changes to their benefits.
- Managers can approve absences and time.
Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
- ETF home page
- ETF Employer page
- ETF Employer training (recorded webinars)
- ETF Employer bulletins
- ETF systems
- Using ETF Web Applications for Employers (Previous Service and Benefit Inquiry), institution benefits administrators can look up an employee’s previous WRS service.
- ETF Insurance Administration Systems allows institution benefits administrators to review health enrollments and access the online Sick Leave Certification system.
- To request access to ETF systems, complete ETF’s Online Access Security Agreement (ET-8928) and email, fax, or mail it to UW-Shared Services, Service Operations (Attn: WRS Agent).
- Email: serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu; Fax: (608) 890-2327; Mail: UW-Shared Services, Service Operations, Attn: WRS Agent, 660 W. Washington Ave, Ste 201, Madison, WI 53703
- Once the form is reviewed and signed by the WRS Agent, UW-Shared Services, Service Operations will send the agreement to ETF. You will receive your login credentials via mail from ETF once your agreement has been approved.
- Online Training: myETF Benefits: Gaining Access and Logging In
General Schedule and Record Management Services
General Records Schedules for the UW System on a variety of business subjects. Go to the General Records Schedule web page to access retention schedules.
Helpful Bookmarks
- Wisconsin Statute
- Chapter 36 – UW System
- Chapter 40 – ETF
- Chapter 103 – Authorization for WFMLA
- Chapter 632 – Insurance Contracts
- Wisconsin Administrative Code
- Chapter UWS 1 – Definitions
- Chapter UWS 3 – Faculty Appointments
- Chapter UWS 5 – Faculty Layoff
- Chapter UWS 10 – Academic Staff Appointments
- Chapter UWS 12 – Academic Staff Layoff
- Chapter UWS 15 – Limited appointments
- Chapter UWS 19 – Unclassified Sick Leave
- Chapter ETF 10 – Administration
- Chapter ETF 20 – WRS
- Chapter ETF 40 – Health Insurance
- Chapter ETF 50 – Disability benefits
- Chapter ETF 60 – Survivor Benefits
- Chapter DWD 225 – Authorization for WFMLA
- Division of Personnel Management (DOA) Main Page
- Universities of Wisconsin Government Relations
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- The Wheeler Report
Updated: 07/10/2025