Human Resources Staff Manual

>> Return to Staff Manual Homepage <<

G. Health and Welfare Benefits

The university offers its eligible employees a wide variety of benefits, which may change from time to
time at the university’s discretion. The benefit descriptions contained in this manual are intended to be
general overviews of the university’s current benefit programs, but full and accurate statements of the
benefit programs and your eligibility for them are contained in summary plan descriptions available
from the Human Resources department. You may be eligible for some benefits, and participation is optional. No statements in this manual constitute a contract on the part of the university to provide you with any of the benefits described, and, at all times, the summary plan descriptions control your
and benefits. You will be reminded by the Human Resources department of your eligibility participate, but it is your responsibility to get more information and apply for benefits.

The Human Resources department is glad to help you understand your eligible benefits.

  1. Group Insurance Plan
At present, Wittenberg’s group insurance plan includes:

a. Health and Dental Insurance: At present, the university pays a portion of the premium for its available group medical and dental plan for full-time employees and their dependents. If you choose t participate in the plan, you may choose to have premium amounts deducted, pre-tax, from your pay. Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following or coinciding with your date of employment. For complete details, please refer to the group insurance booklet. You may continue to participate in our group health insurance program for a specified period after separating from the university. When you leave the university, you (and your spouse, if applicable) will receive a detailed explanation of this benefit.

b. Life Insurance: Participants receive group term life insurance equal to one and one-half tim
their annual base salary up to a maximum of $1,000,000. The university pays the entire premium for
this benefit. Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following or coinciding with your date of employment. Additional life insurance, up to the $1,000,000 maximum, may be purchased at your own expense. Contact the Human Resources department to make the necessary arrangements.

c. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D): Plan participants receive
AD&D insurance in an amount up to one and one-half times their annual base salary, up to a maximum of $1,000,000. The university pays the entire premium for this benefit. Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following or coinciding with your date of employment.

d. Long-term Disability Insurance (Administrative Staff only): LTD coverage is effective
after a one-year waiting period for full-time administrative staff members. If proof of prior group LTD
coverage within three (3) months of active employment is provided, coverage becomes effective the
of the month following the date of employment. After a 180-day waiting period, this plan provides
eligible administrative staff members with income replacement in the event of a long-term disability.
The LTD monthly income benefit is equal to 60 percent of the participant’s pay at the time of disabilit
up to a maximum of $7,000. The LTD benefit is reduced by any other income the staff member may receive including benefits payable from Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, and any other insurance. The university pays the entire premium for this benefit.

e. Short-term Disability Insurance (Hourly Staff only): Short-term disability coverage is
effective on the first of the month following the date of employment for full-time hourly staff members After a 30-day waiting period, this plan provides eligible participants with income replacement of 60 percent for a period up to six months.

  2. Workers' Compensation
The university participates in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Fund to cover the cost of
work-related injuries or illnesses. The law prescribes specific benefits, which vary depending on
circumstances of each case. Benefits may include paying for your related medical treatment and
reimbursing you for income lost while recovering. Accident/Injury reporting the forms are available in the Human Resources department, and we will help you file a claim for benefits.

No matter how insignificant an on-the-job injury may seem when it occurs, notify your supervisor and the Human Resources department immediately. You should report all injuries before leaving work on the day of the injury. This report is required by law and protects your legal rights.

  3. Flexible Spending Accounts
The university offers a program to help employees save money on un-reimbursed medical and/or daycare expenses. Upon your enrollment, the university will set up pretax payroll reductions in an amount you determine.

  4. Unemployment Insurance
The university and other Ohio employers fund this state-run program, which will provide weekly benefits to you if you become unemployed through no fault of your own or due to circumstances described in the law. It is the responsibility of the former employee to file for this benefit.

 5. Same-Sex Domestic Partner Policy

Wittenberg University is committed to diversification of the student body, and the faculty and staff as well as serving the needs of those diverse groups.  In accordance with this commitment, to the extent allowable under State and Federal law, Wittenberg will provide the benefits and privileges extended to the spouse of legally married employees and the children of employee's legal spouse to the same sex domestic partner of an employee and to the eligible children of that same-sex domestic partner.

BENEFITS

Benefits would include, but not be limited to the following:  health and dental insurance, continuation coverage, Tuition Waiver/Scholarship, and leave benefits.  Domestic partners and children of domestic partners are included in the definition of family for purposes of other policies that apply to family, such as access to the athletic facilities, use of the Thomas Library, etc.  Premium rates and benefit provisions will be consistent for all covered families.  As privileges and benefits would change for legally married employees, they would similarly change for eligible same-sex domestic partners.  Where benefits are governed by a formal plan document or a master policy, the exact terms of that plan or policy will govern.

Please refer to Appendix N for the university's complete Same-Sex Domestic Partner Policy.