Human Resources/Personnel Policies

Benefits Eligibility

Sample1 – Excel

This section of the manual describes some general features of the group benefits currently available to our employees. Complete details of our plans are contained in official plan documents, such as insurance contracts and master plan documents. If there is any contradiction between the information appearing in this handbook, and the information which appears in these official plan documents, the official plan documents will govern in all cases.


The School anticipates continuing to make the school benefits described in this section available. However, the School reserves the right to amend or terminate these benefits at any time.


For more information regarding the employee benefits program, please contact the Operations Manager.


Sample 2 – Abby

The School is pleased to offer an attractive array of benefits. Your benefit eligibility is determined by your category of employment. The chart below explains your eligibility for the School Group Insurance and retirement programs based on your employee classification.


Insurance Opt Out - Full time employees may elect to not participate in the health, dental and vision insurance benefit plans. Any eligible employee that opts out of the health, dental and vision and meets with the requirements that have been established will be provided a financial incentive.


Sample 3 – CLCS

All staff members whose contract of employment is for at least at 50% at the CLCS are eligible to receive benefits. The benefits offered by the CLCS are:


    • paid time off (holidays, vacation days, sick and personal days)
    • unpaid leave with job security
    • insurance
    • direct deposit of salary
    • retirement benefits
    • professional development at no cost to staff members

Full-time staff members, receive full benefits, as described below. Staff members, whose contract of employment is for at least 50%, receive 50% of the benefits available to full time staff; those whose contracts are for at least 75% but less than 100% receive 75% of the benefits available to full time staff.



COBRA

Sample 1 – CLCS

Benefits Upon Termination - Conversion of benefits is based on individual plan design. For continuation of medical and dental coverage refer to the COBRA section, below.


Staff benefits cease on the last day of employment with the exception of prepaid medical and dental insurance benefits, which terminate at the end of the month in which the person leaves the CLCS.


The pension plan established at the CLCS goes with an employee when s/he terminates employment. Staff should contact the MTRS and the Vanguard Group regarding continuation, transfer, and cash out of funds.


COBRA - Under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) all staff and their “qualified beneficiaries” covered under an employer’s group health plan have a right to elect to continue their coverage under the plan if their coverage would otherwise end because of a “qualifying event.” The continuation coverage period is generally 18 months for the staff and all covered family members. However, under COBRA regulations, coverage may extend to a maximum of 36 months depending upon qualifying events. Consult the CLCS Business Manager and/or the medical and dental insurance carriers for details.

 

Health and Dental Benefits

Sample 1 – CLCS

Eligible staff (those whose contract of employment is for 50% or more) must elect coverage for medical and dental insurance during the first thirty days of employment or during an open enrollment period.  Upon termination of employment, coverage will continue until the end of the month in which the termination took place.

 

The CLCS contributes 50% of the monthly premium for full time employees.  For part time employees, the school’s prorated contribution is as follows:  25% of the premium for employees who work 50%-74%, and 37.5% of the premium for employees who work 75%-99%.

 

Medical coverage is provided by Blue-Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS), Blue Value Plus.  The plan determines all benefits, and the information provided here is subject to change.  The BC/BS Plan combines the benefits of an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), plus innovative fitness and wellness programs in one comprehensive plan.  BC/BS is affiliated with many local hospitals, health clinics and physicians.  Coverage includes most routine and specialty care, prescriptions, wellness benefits, eye exams, and health club discounts. 

 

Individual and family plans are available.  Family plans are available to staff members in domestic partnership arrangements, as that term is defined by the BC/BS Health Plan.  Unmarried dependents up to age 25, those of whom are in full-time attendance at an accredited educational or vocational institution, may be included as dependents on their parents’ family plan.  Staff will need to complete a new medical application when adding a dependent and/or spouse.

No medical benefits are provided if the staff person is eligible for benefits under Workers’ Compensation or any municipal, state, or federal law.

 

Dental coverage is provided by Delta Dental Insurance Corp.  The plan determines all benefits, and the information provided here is subject to change.  Coverage includes three major categories: 100% preventative services (no deductible); 80% basic coverage, and 50% major services.  A $1500 maximum per calendar year per individual applies.  Calendar year deductibles are $50 per individual, $150 per family maximum.

 

Individual and family plans are available.  More detailed descriptions of the coverage provided are attached as Addenda E and F. 

 

Sample 2 - Abby

Medical Insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Plan) - The employee may choose an HMO, POS, or PPO plan. Employees are eligible for coverage effective on their date of hire.  Currently, employees pay only 20% of the total monthly premium rate.

 

Dental Insurance (MetLife) - Employees are eligible on their date of hire, and currently pay only 20% of the total monthly premium rate.

 

Vision Insurance (EyeMed) - This benefit is 100% employee paid. Coverage is available on the date of hire.

 

Insurance

Sample 1 - Four


Life Insurance - Four Rivers Charter Public School provides fully paid life insurance for its full time employees.  This insurance is equal to one times the employee’s annual salary up to $50,000 with Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage.

 

Short Term Disability - Four Rivers Charter Public School self-insures a Short-Term Disability plan that will pay eligible employees in the event of time lost due to extended illness or non-work related injury.  This benefit provides short-term income protection for employees unable to perform the essential functions of their job due to non-work related illness or injury. 

 

To be eligible, an employee must have completed six (6) months of full-time employment at Four Rivers Charter Public School.  Coverage is provided for all eligible full-time employees.

 

Employees must first use all available accrued health days when on Short-Term Disability. 

 

Four Rivers Charter Public School will provide 100% of pay for the number of accrued health days used following the onset of a certified medically disabling condition. The school will then provide 60% of pay for a period up to 180 days from the date of disability.  The school reserves the right to require confirmation of disability by a physician of the school’s choice. 

 

This benefit will cease upon the first day of ability to return to full employment or when 180 days have expired.

Long Term Disability Insurance - Long Term Disability insurance is provided for all Full Time employees.  This insurance provides an employee with 60% of base salary following a six-month period of disability. The disability does not have to be job-related.

 

Social Security (for those not in MTRS) - Four Rivers Charter Public School withholds employee contributions to the Social Security retirement fund in accordance with current federal rates and Medicare requirements, and the school matches those contributions, except for employees who participate in the MTRS.  Participation in Social Security is mandatory for those not in MTRS.

 

Workers’ Compensation - Employees are covered under the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Insurance Law when an injury or illness is determined to be job-related.  When injured in the course of performing work duties, whether or not medical treatment is sought, the employee must:

 

    • Notify the Director of Operations and the Director immediately or as soon as possible after seeking medical treatment,    stating the nature of the injury and (if applicable) the estimated length of time unable to work.
    • Give names of any witnesses to the incident
    • Complete the claim form with the Director of Operations.
    • Notify the provider of medical treatment (if any) that an on-the-job injury occurred and that the treatment should be    billed directly to the school’s carrier as a Workers’ Compensation claim.
    • Supply a doctor’s statement to the Director of Operations if recuperation will require absence of more than three (3)    consecutive workdays.

 

Sample 2 – CLCS

Life Insurance - Any regular staff member whose contract is for 50% or more is eligible for life insurance coverage effective the first day actively at work.  Upon employment, the staff member must complete a life insurance application form and submit it to the Business Manager.  The life insurance benefit is provided in full by the CLCS at no cost to the staff.  Staff may elect to purchase additional life insurance.

 

Insurance is provided by UNUM Insurance Company.  The plan in effect determines all benefits.  Plan details are available from the Business Manager.

 

Long-Term Disability Insurance - Regular staff members whose contract is for 50% or more are eligible for long-term disability insurance coverage effective the first day actively at work.

 

Insurance is provided by UNUM Insurance Company.  The plan in effect determines all benefits.  Plan details are available from the Business Manager.

 

Industrial Accident Insurance (Workers Compensation) - All staff are covered by Workers Compensation Insurance from their first day of employment in accordance with state law.  In case of on-the-job accidents and job-related injuries or illnesses, the staff member and her/his supervisor must complete the Workers Compensation Telephone Reporting Worksheet and submit it to the Business Manager within 24 hours. 

 

During the first five days of absence, a staff member uses his/her own accrued sick leave accrual.  If loss time is equal to or greater than twenty-two work days and is compensable under worker’s compensation, the staff will be reimbursed the workers’ compensation rate for days one to five.

 

Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) is the workers’ compensation insurance carrier for the CLCS.  Work related medical bills should be directed to MIIA Workers Compensation/Aon Risk Services, 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02110.  Claims questions should be directed to Aon at (888) 266-6442.  General workers’ compensation questions are handled by MIIA at (800) 882-1498.

 

Sample 3 – Abby


Short-Term Disability Insurance (MetLife Insurance) - This benefit is 100% employer paid. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Benefits are 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum benefit of $1,000 per week. Benefits will commence on the 8th calendar day following 7 consecutive days of total disability due to sickness or on the 1st day if the disability is a result of an accident. Payment period is up to 26 weeks.

 

Example:

    • Annual Salary = $37,500 Weekly Salary = $721.15
    • Short-Term Disability Weekly Benefit = $480.77 (66.67% of $721.15)

 

Long-Term Disability Insurance (MetLife Insurance) - This benefit is 100% employer paid. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Benefits are 60% of monthly income to a maximum benefit of $6,000 per month. Benefits will commence the later of; 180 days or the date the Short Term Disability coverage ends. Maximum payment period varies.

 

Example:

    • Annual Salary = $37,500 Monthly Salary = $3,125
    • Long-Term Disability Monthly Benefit = $1,875 (60% of $3,125)

 

Basic Group Life Insurance (MetLife Insurance) - This benefit is 100% employer paid. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Coverage equals two (2) times the amount of the employee’s annual salary. Additional coverage is also available at the employee’s expense.

 

Example:

    • Annual Salary = $37,500
    • Death Benefit = $75,000 (2 times salary)

 

Retirement

Sample 1 – Abby

401(k) Retirement Plan (CitiStreet) - The School will match 1/3 of the first 6% of salary deferred up to a maximum of 2% of salary. Participants must be 21 years or older. Eligibility begins on the date of hire or on the first of any quarter.

Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System - The Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System is a contributory retirement system governed by the Commonwealth’s retirement law which provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to MA teachers, administrators and their families.

 

You are required to contribute a set percentage of your salary through regular payroll deductions. Your contribution rate is established by the Commonwealth’s retirement law (Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws) and is determined by the date on which you most recently became eligible for membership in a Massachusetts contributory retirement system and from which you continuously maintained your funds on account. Most of our members will establish membership in a contributory retirement system on the date they start working as a public employee in Massachusetts. The Human Resources Department will help you determine your eligibility and required contribution rate.

 

Sample 2 - CLCS

Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System - Teachers and school administrators employed within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to participate in the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS).  By law, membership is also required of full-time temporary teachers and part-time teachers after an introductory waiting period of six consecutive calendar months.

 

The contribution rate is based on the date that the employee becomes a member of a Massachusetts contributory retirement system.  A 9% contribution is required for individuals hired after July 1, 1996.  If hired after January 1, 1979, employees must also pay an additional 2% on salary in excess of $30,000.

 

Deductions are regularly transferred in your name to MTRS, 69 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114-2006.  Specific questions may be referred to MTRS at (617) 727-3661.  Eligibility for MTRS must be checked with the school’s Business Manager.

 

Individual 403(b)(7) Plan - A 403(b)(7) tax deferred annuity is a retirement savings program set up under the Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b)(7).  It allows employees to set aside a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis.  Taxes are deferred on income from the program.  The CLCS plan is run by The Vanguard Group.  The CLCS Business Manager will provide new employees with information on the various investment options that are available.  Employees must fill out the appropriate program application in order to qualify for this benefit.

 

For all staff, the CLCS contributes to the individual’s annuity plan and amount that is equal to 3% of the employee’s annual gross salary provided the employee has opened a retirement account with the Vanguard Group.  Employees may also enter into a voluntary salary reduction agreement with the CLCS, whereby the amount of the reduction is automatically withheld from each paycheck pretax, and forwarded to the employee’s 403(b)(7) retirement account.

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