SKERI is proud of its excellent benefits offered to all employees that work 20 hours or more and these benefits are summarized below. If you have any questions, or if you would like to review the insurance plans and Pension Plan in more detail, please contact Administration where documents governing the administration of the plans are on file.
VACATION PLAN
Your vacation accrues on a monthly basis and you will accrue 15 working days of vacation per year during your first three years. After three years of service, on your anniversary date, you begin to accrue 20 working days of vacation per year. After ten years of service, on your anniversary date, you begin to accrue 25 working days of vacation per year. If you work between 50% and 100%, this amount is prorated. If you work less than 50%, you do not receive a vacation benefit.
You may accumulate a maximum of 30 vacation days during your first three years. After three years, you may accumulate a maximum of 40 days. After ten years, you may accumulate a maximum of 50 days. No vacation will be earned beyond those time periods and you are encouraged to take a vacation each year. Holidays are not considered vacation time. If you terminate your employment with SKERI, you will be paid for any unused vacation time.
Vacation use is discouraged during the first six months of employment, and may not be borrowed in advance.
HOLIDAYS
SKERI observes the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Martin Luther King’s Day
Friday After Thanksgiving
Presidents' Day
Day Before Winter Holiday
Spring Holiday
Winter Holiday Day
Memorial Day
New Year’s Eve Day
Independence Day
(One Personal Day to be Labor Day taken during each calendar year)
Generally, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, SKERI observes the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed. Regular employees working one-half time or more are paid for holidays if the holiday falls on their normal workday. If you work with us on a part-time basis, your supervisor will arrange your holiday time with you in proportion to your hours worked. There are no paid holidays for those who work less than one-half time.
SICK LEAVE
You will accrue one day of sick leave with pay for each full calendar month of employment to a maximum of 90 days. If you work part-time (at least 50% time), you will accrue sick leave in proportion to the time you work. If you work less than 50% time you will accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked under San Francisco law. If you will be out for an extended period of time, you may use sick leave time to increase your benefits under California short-term disability. You may also use your accumulated sick leave until such time as you have completed the 90-day waiting period for income benefits under SKERI's Long Term Disability Plan. If you later return to work, and are not receiving LTD benefits, any previously accumulated and unused sick leave will still be available to you.
FAMILY, MEDICAL AND PREGNANCY LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Smith-Kettlewell is in full compliance with both the Federal and State Family and Medical Leave Acts. If you have been employed with us for more than 12 months you are entitled to a leave of absence of up to twelve (12) weeks per year for the birth of a child; to care for a new born child; for placement with you of a child for adoption or foster care; to care for your spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent with a serious health condition; or because of a serious health condition that makes you unable to perform the duties of your job. You are allowed up to 26 weeks of leave during a 12-month period to care for an ill or injured military service member. For the purpose of the FMLA, a year will start on the first day of absence.
OTHER LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Bereavement Leave
In the event of the death of your spouse, child, parents, or parents-in-law, sibling or domestic partner, bereavement leave with pay can be given to you with the approval of your supervisor. A maximum of five days per calendar year is provided for such leave. Your benefits are not affected by this leave.
Personal Leave of Absence
A leave of absence without pay may be approved for non-medical reasons (such as education to increase your job effectiveness). You must be employed at least 50% to be eligible and must obtain approval from your supervisor or principal investigator, and Administration. You may continue your health coverage under the terms of COBRA at your expense and your LTD insurance for one month if you pay the full premium. No contributions to the Pension Plan will be made for you during this leave; however, you will retain credit for prior service if you return to work within one year. Personal leaves of absences are limited to one year.
Military Leave of Absence
You may receive fifteen days leave for annual military reserve training. Please show your orders and any military receipts to Administration. If your military pay (including quarters and living allowances) is less than your SKERI pay, SKERI will pay the difference. If you are called to active duty, your position is guaranteed under State and Federal Law while you are on leave for up to five years. In addition, California provides for leaves of absence for spouses of military personnel who are deployed during a period of military conflict for up to 10 days.
EMERGENCY RIDE HOME PROGRAM
Permanent part-time and full-time employees are eligible to participate in San Francisco’s Emergency Ride Home Program (ERH). The program provides a free or low-cost ride home in cases of emergency for employees who use alternative transportation, such as carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, bicycling, and walking.
INSURANCE PLANS
GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS
SKERI provides comprehensive health insurance plans for everyone who works 50% time or more at no cost to the employee. This coverage begins on the first day of the month after your employment starts. If you would like your dependents covered, SKERI will pay for 100% of their premium. Our excellent health plans cover you for medical, dental and vision care. Two plans are available under Health Net: an HMO (Plan no. 69093A) and a Preferred Provider Program (Plan No. N4857A) which is an indemnity program with a Preferred Provider option. Under San Francisco law if you work less than 50% time, you will be given an amount set by the city for every hour you work to cover health expenses. Dental and vision coverage is provided under Direct Dental.
FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN
SKERI offers its employees a flexible benefits program under Section 125 of the Federal Income Tax law. Employees may designate up to a certain amount of their salary before taxes to be put in a flexible spending account and the amount may vary from year to year. The account is to be used for payment of medical, visual and dental charges not covered by insurance. Separate accounts can be maintained to cover dependent care, commuting, bicycling and parking expenses.
LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE PLAN
SKERI also pays your entire premium for Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance if you work 50% time or more. You are insured for twice your annual salary (to a maximum benefit of $50,000) under both of these plans. This plan is administered through Lincoln Life Insurance.
SHORT TERM DISABILITY PLAN
You are covered for disability under the California State Disability Insurance Program for up to three months. Your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings during the previous base period.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE PLAN
If you are disabled, for a longer period of time, our Long Term Disability Plan will provide you with income based on 66 2/3% of your monthly earnings (to a maximum benefit of $10,000) after 90 days. SKERI pays the entire premium for this plan. You must work at least 50% time to be eligible for this plan. This plan is administered through the Guardian Life Insurance Company.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SKERI covers you to a maximum of $100,000 for death, dismemberment, or loss of sight if you are in an accident while traveling on SKERI business. This benefit is available to all. The carrier for this plan is Insurance Company of North America (INA) #ABL-64 67 89.
WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE PLAN
Workers' Compensation Insurance covers all medical expenses, hospital bills, and a percentage of salary reimbursement if you are injured while performing your duties at SKERI
OTHER BENEFITS
PENSION PLAN
You may join the IRS Code 401 (m) Money Purchase Pension Plan on the next January or July 1 after your employment. You are required to join the Plan after you have been with us for three years. You must be age 21 to join. You also must be working 50% time (20 hours per week) or more. The entry dates of the Plan are January 1 and July 1 each year.
403(b) PLAN
A 403(b) tax-deferred retirement plan is available to you if you would like to participate. By making a voluntary payroll deduction up to the IRS 403(b) contribution limits, you can defer taxes on your deducted salary amount until your retirement years. Contributions to this plan are 100% from employee salary/payroll deductions; there are no employer contributions
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Smith-Kettlewell will contribute up to $100.00 a year (or $200.00 every two years) for Employee Financial Planning Services. You may see a representative of your own choice. Smith-Kettlewell makes no endorsement as to the services provided by any planner.
CREDIT UNION
Smith-Kettlewell employees are eligible to join the Provident Credit Union. Please see Administration for more information.
LEGAL SERVICES
The Bay Area County Bar Associations maintain Lawyer Referral Services. For a nominal fee that includes an initial consultation, they will refer you to an attorney who is versed in the type of legal problem that you have. Please consult your local telephone directory for the Referral Service in your county. If you use this service, SKERI will reimburse you up to $25.00 per year towards your referral fee.
MEDICAL SERVICES
The closest emergency medical facility is the Emergency Room of CPMC located at Sacramento and Buchanan. There is also an outpatient clinic at the Hospital where costs are determined by a person's financial status. In the event that someone in your area seems to be having a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance. Report it immediately to Administration for follow up