|
Employee Benefits
Providing benefits that help employees feel secure and grow professionally and personally
are all part of recruiting and retaining great employees. The following is an outline
of the benefits available to employees of Arkansas Blue Cross and its family of
companies.
401(k) Savings and PLU$ Plan
A tax-deferred savings/retirement plan is available for employees. Employees may
contribute from 1 to 50 percent of their gross pay each pay period. Up to 6 percent
of employee savings is matched by the company each pay date, according to years
of service, with 100 percent company match after 15 years. Vesting also is based
on years of service with 100 percent vesting after six years of employment.
Depending on company profitability, all eligible employees will receive an annual
contribution to their 401(k) PLU$ company account of an average annual targeted
amount of 4 percent with a minimum of 2 percent of their annual compensation. An
employee must be employed on December 31 in order to receive this contribution.
The contribution will be made as soon as administratively possible after the end
of each year.
Business Casual & Casual Day
The company observes business-casual dress Monday through Thursday. Casual dress
is allowed on Fridays.
Business Hours
The office hours of Arkansas Blue Cross are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday through
Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks. Flexible hours are
available in some areas.
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is available in the Arkansas Blue Cross South Building at Seventh and
Gaines Street in downtown Little Rock. Vending and break areas are available in
all Arkansas Blue Cross facilities.
Case Management
During an extended illness or hospitalization, employees may utilize an Arkansas
Blue Cross case manager to work with them and their families to ensure they receive
appropriate, quality care. Case managers can help coordinate home health care, help
ensure quality care and assist employees in maximizing their health benefits.
Communication
A monthly newsletter, Blueprint, is distributed internally to all employees. An
intranet site, InsideBlue, keeps employees up to date on late-breaking news and
policy changes. Employee meetings are held and special communications pieces are
distributed on an as-needed basis.
Corporate Incentive
Employees may receive an annual corporate incentive if the employee and the company
meet certain criteria.
Credit Union
Employees may participate in a federal credit union available through Arkansas Blue
Cross.
Death Leave
Employees will be granted a leave with pay in the event of a death in the immediate
family. The length of the leave period may be up to three days as determined by
the manager. No period of service is required to be eligible.
Employees' Committee
Each year, employees select a group of their peers to represent them on the Enterprise
Employees' Committee. This group plans employee and community outreach activities
throughout the year. The Employees' Committee provides gifts to participating employees
for the following: hospitalization, baby gift, wedding gift and departure. A nominal
fee is charged for participation and is paid through payroll deduction.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A strictly confidential service is offered to employees and their families that
provides short-term counseling for stress management and emotional, financial, adolescent,
and substance-abuse programs. The schedule of benefits varies by location.
Employee Wellness
Wellness Works, the Arkansas Blue Cross employee wellness program, is committed
to assisting employees in achieving and maintaining good health and well-being through
wellness activities and educational sessions. This program is implemented and coordinated
by the Wellness Works Council comprised of employees from throughout the enterprise.
Activities may vary from year to year but generally include the following:
-
"Lunch and Learn" sessions on topics such as diabetes, heart-healthy lifestyle,
breast self-exam, domestic violence and respiratory wellness.
-
"Hope Health Calendar" given to each employee annually.
-
Flu shots provided at no cost to employees.
-
Company sponsorship of employees' participation in various walks/runs, such as "Race
for the Cure," "Out to Lunch," etc.
- Discounts at various fitness centers.
Family and Medical Leave
Employees must have at least one year of service and worked at least 1,250 hours
during the year before leave is available. An eligible employee may be granted family
and medical leave for up to 12 weeks during any 12-month period for three reasons:
1) because of the birth or placement for adoption or foster care of a child (Leave
for the birth or placement of a child may be taken only within 12 months of that
birth or placement.); 2) because of a serious health condition of a spouse, child
or parent; 3) because of the employee's own serious health condition. An employee
must use any available Personal Time Off (PTO) or Discretionary Holiday for any
part of the leave period. Any period of benefit covered under Short Term Disability
would also count as part of the total maximum family and medical leave of 12 weeks.
FlexBlue Cafeteria Plan
A flexible spending account is available that allows employees to pay certain health
care, child care and third-party medical premiums with pre-tax dollars. Eligibility
is immediate.
Holidays
The following 10 paid holidays per year are observed:
|
New Year's Day |
Thanksgiving Day |
|
Good Friday |
Day after Thanksgiving |
|
Memorial Day |
Christmas Eve |
|
Independence Day |
Christmas Day |
|
Labor Day |
Discretionary Holiday |
Insurance
Auto and Homeowner Insurance
Employees may purchase auto and homeowner insurance with premiums paid through payroll
deduction.
Basic Group and AD&D Life Insurance
Employees are provided (at no cost) with life and accident coverage at two times
their annual salary with a maximum of $150,000. This coverage increases proportionately
with earnings. Effective date is the first of the month following date of hire.
Dental Insurance
The company provides preventive and restorative dental care for employees, with
the option to purchase coverage for dependents. There is a $25 calendar year deductible
per person with a $1,500 per person maximum benefit per year. Orthodontia coverage
is also available for dependents up to age 19 with a $1,500 per person lifetime
maximum. Effective date of coverage is the first of the month following date of
hire.
Dependent Life Insurance
Employees may purchase one of two options for life insurance for spouse and children.
Option 1: Spouse coverage is $15,000 and dependent-child coverage
is up to $5,000 for each child depending on age of child. Option 2:
Spouse coverage is $25,000 and dependent-child coverage is up to $8,000 for each
child depending on age of child. To add coverage at any time other than upon hire,
birth of a child, adoption/legal guardianship or marriage, the completion of an
application, payroll authorization and Evidence of Insurability (EOI) forms are
required, as employee would then have to be approved for coverage. An EOI form and
approval are also required to increase level of coverage. An EOI form and approval
are always required for Option 2.
Health Insurance
Employees receive health insurance coverage at no cost and have the option of purchasing
coverage at a nominal fee for their dependents through payroll deduction. Effective
date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire.
Supplemental Life Insurance — For Employees Only
Employees may choose to purchase one of three levels of coverage based on annual
salary. To add coverage at any time other than upon hire, an Evidence of Insurability
(EOI) form is required, as employee would then have to be approved for coverage.
An EOI form and approval are also required to increase level of coverage.
Universal Life and Cancer Insurance
Employees may purchase Universal Life and Cancer insurance for themselves and/or
their dependents during open enrollment only.
Vision Insurance
Employees may purchase a vision insurance plan for themselves or their family through
payroll deduction. The plan covers basic examinations, frames, and lenses for the
employee, spouse and dependents. The effective date of coverage is the first of
the month following date of hire.
Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
(Voluntary AD&D)
Employees may purchase additional 24-hour accident insurance coverage. Employees
may choose either an Employee Plan or a Family Plan for this coverage.
Long-Term Disability
Employees are eligible for this benefit after one year of service. A 180-day elimination
period is required. The amount of Long Term Disability is 60% of earnings payable
to age 65 for qualified disabilities. Employees are removed from the payroll when
they become eligible for Long Term Disability and are no longer considered active
employees. Basic Group Life, Supplemental Group Life and Dependent Life Insurance
will be continued under the Waiver of Premium provision. Group Health Insurance
will be continued according to policy guidelines.
Military Leave
Arkansas Blue Cross is supportive of the various Guard and Reserve commitments which
have been made by employees. Employees voluntarily enlisting in the various Guard
or Reserve units and employees enlisting after their initial obligation may take
Personal Time Off (PTO) or leave without pay to cover any active duty training period.
Employees will receive compensation if a holiday falls during the training period,
and all employee benefits shall continue through the training period.
Employees called to active duty will remain on the payroll for one year. If military
salary is lower than employee's company salary, the company will pay the difference
for up to one year as long as written verification of military service is provided.
If the period of active duty is less than one year, the company will pay the difference
in salary for the actual period of active duty. Basic Group Life Insurance will
continue during the first three months of active duty, then employee may convert
to an individual policy at employee's expense. Group AD&D and Voluntary AD&D will
be canceled at the time the employee becomes activated. Group Health Insurance will
continue for 30 days from the first day of active duty and may be converted to COBRA
at employee's expense after the 30-day period.
Parking
Space in a lot or deck is provided for employee parking, if space is available.
A nominal fee is charged and is paid through payroll deduction.
Payday
Employees are paid 26 times per year (every other week) on Fridays. Payroll checks
are deposited directly into a checking or savings account.
Personal Time Off (PTO)
PTO is acquired every pay period. PTO includes what is traditionally known as vacation
time and time off for illness. PTO may be taken as it is accrued with a supervisor's
approval and scheduling. PTO is accrued each pay period according to the following
rate schedule:
Years of Service
0 to 5
5 to 10
10 to 15
15 to 20
20 to 25
25 to 30
30 +
|
Per Pay Period
5 hours
6.5 hours
7.25 hours
8 hours
8.75 hours
9.5 hours
10 hours
|
Per Year
16.25 Days
21.13 Days
23.56 Days
26 Days
28.44 Days
30.88 Days
32.5 Days
|
PTO may be accumulated up to a 90-day maximum. Employees may sell back PTO hours
three times in a tax year, up to 120 hours per year. (An 80-hour minimum balance
must be maintained). No less than 24 hours can be sold at one time.
Severance Pay
Full-time employees who are involuntarily terminated from current employment as
a result of a company decision to reorganize, reduce workforce or eliminate job
functions may be paid severance pay. Certain criteria must be met, and amount of
severance paid is based on completed years of service.
Short-Term Disability
Employees are eligible for this benefit after one year of service. A 20 workday
elimination period is required before benefit begins. This benefit is 60% of base
salary. Available PTO must be used for elimination period. Employee must notify
their supervisor and the Human Resource Department as early as possible. In the
case of pregnancy, employee must give 30 days advance notice.
Smoke-Free Workplace
The company's facilities are smoke-free environments. Designated areas are available
for employees who smoke.
Special Delivery
This prenatal care/health pregnancy program uses education, assessment and intervention
to help employees (and spouses or other covered dependents) who are either pregnant
or planning to start a family.
The Zone
An employee suggestion system is offered so employees can submit ideas for workplace
improvements. Employees are awarded points which are accumulated and redeemed for
various gifts.
Tuition Reimbursement
Employees may advance their education with the help of the tuition reimbursement
program. For students pursuing a college degree or certification, or who are taking
courses that are needed for their growth or development, Arkansas Blue Cross reimburses
the employee up to 100% of books, tuition and fees provided certain criteria is
met. The maximum payment for this benefit is $5,250 per year. Employees are eligible
immediately upon date of hire, but only for courses enrolled in after that date.
Vote
Employees may join the company's political action committee. A nominal fee is charged
and is paid through payroll deduction.
|