Looking to talk to a benefits officer about your upcoming retirement? Well, beginning Tuesday (Sept. 25) you'll find that officer at the downtown McMaster location.

The six people in Human Resources Services who provide benefits information and support to McMaster's 3,600 employees and 1,500 retirees are now located on the fifth floor of the courthouse (Room 524).

“We would advise people who have questions about such things as pension, life insurance or medical or dental coverage to call our benefits office or to send us an e-mail as we are no longer located on campus. And we would like to reassure the University community that we will continue to respond to any and all inquiries from our new location,” says Simon Ouellet, director of human resources operations (benefits, staffing, compensation and information systems).

Employees who wish to discuss in person issues relating to their benefits or pension are welcome to meet with benefits staff at the courthouse. Additionally, benefits staff will hold consultation sessions on campus periodically. The University community will be advised when these sessions are scheduled, says Ouellet.

The telephone extensions and e-mail addresses for the six remain the same:

• Dina LoPresti, human resources officer (pension),loprest@mcmaster.ca, ext. 27253
• Wanda McKenna, human resources officer (benefits), mckenna@mcmaster.ca, ext. 24855
• Anna Marie Damiani, benefits assistant, damiani@mcmaster.ca, ext. 24552
• Laura Marks, benefits assistant, marksl@mcmaster.ca, ext. 24570
• Magda Sztajnmec, benefits assistant, sztajnm@mcmaster.ca, ext. 23692
• Simon Ouellet, director, human resources operations, ouells@mcmaster.ca,ext. 23691

Visitors to the University's downtown location should be aware that only public parking is available.