Benefits

We offer eligible employees a flexible benefits program. Regular full-time and benefit eligible part-time employees commence benefit participation on the first day of work. Benefit coverage stops upon termination of employment. Coverage for Medical / Dental is available for employees, their spouses, and dependents upon termination of employment as defined by federal COBRA regulations.

Look further for detailed information on benefits offered to our employees:

  • Health and Wellness

    Dental Insurance

    The plan, "Dental Blue", administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, provides staff members with coverage at a schedule of 100% or 80% or 50% of cost up to a $1,500.00 calendar year maximum. Employees pay for 20% of the premium cost of this benefit. This cost is deducted from payroll on a pretax basis.

    Employee Assistance

    Mount Auburn Care Group has been contracted by the Institute to provide a confidential counseling/referral program for employees who request assistance in dealing with a wide array of personal or family problems.

    Group Term Life Insurance

    Eligible employees are provided 1x their annual salary for life insurance at no cost.

    Long-term Disability & AD&D

    Employees approved for disability coverage by the provider receives this income replacement program up to 66.6% of their current salary.

    The maximum benefit is $10,000 per month. There is a 90-day waiting period before benefits begin and a 3 month prior to hire date pre-existing condition clause that must be fulfilled. Benefits begin reducing at age 70.

    Medical Insurance

    Medical Insurance is administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Plan I is Blue Choice and Plan II is HMO Blue.

    "Blue Choice" allows staff members to utilize in network or out of network doctors. Employees pay a higher premium cost for this out of network premium plan. This cost is deducted from payroll on a pretax basis. Office visits are $15.00.

    "HMO BLUE" is the "in network" coverage that also is part of Blue Choice. This plan allows staff members to utilize in network or out of network doctors. Employees pay for 20% of the premium cost of this benefit. This cost is deducted from payroll on a pretax basis. Office visits are $15.00.

    Mental Health Benefits

    HMO or Blue Choice participants may access the in-network portion of this benefit by calling the HMO mental health referral line. Blue Choice participants may choose their own doctor at the out of network benefit of $500 annually.

    Pharmacy Plan

    Employees and dependents covered by the medical plan can obtain a prescription for $10/$25 or $45 co-payments as designated by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Mail order prescriptions are also available for employees to receive a 3 month supply with one single co-payment incurred at $20/$50 or $90. BC/BS will periodically identify and re-categorize drugs.

    Short-term Disability

    All Regular Full-time employees and Part-time employees who consistently work at least 20 hours per week and who receive payment via our payroll are eligible for short-term disability coverage of 70% of current pay. This benefit is provided to bridge an employee's pay during the 90 day elimination period leading to Long Term disability in the event of a short term need up to 8 weeks of an illness. Employees do not need to enroll; coverage is automatic and available to staff members that fulfill the FMLA threshold of 1 year of service and 1,250 hours in that year. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage.

    Vision Plan

    BC/BS provides discounts on eyewear at participating doctors.

  • Savings

    Dependent Care Spending Account

    Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS), administers this pretax benefit to our employees. This benefit allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 pretax, annually, to be used for eligible dependent care expenses. The parameters of this program are set by the IRS.

    Direct Deposit

    Full-time employees have the opportunity to have any portion, or all of their paychecks, deposited directly to a banking institution of their choice.

    Health Care Spending Account

    Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS), administers this pretax benefit to our employees. Employees may set aside up to $5,000 pretax, annually, for self-reimbursement of medical and dental expenses, including some Over-the-Counter "O.T.C" medicines that are not covered by the health plan or dental plan. The parameters of this program are set by the IRS.

    MBTA Passes

    An employee may sign up for a T-pass through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis as allowed by the IRS. We provide a 60% subsidy as of July 1, 2006 for T-pass, commuter rail, and van pool participants.

    Retirement Program

    We contribute a percentage of an employee's gross annual salary per year to supplement a portion of the employee's retirement income. Employees must work a minimum of 1,000 hours per year to receive a contribution and if so, will be fully vested after six years of service.

    Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA)

    A voluntary retirement savings program that allows employees to make pretax contributions to various mutual funds and insurance company annuities.

    Tuition Reimbursement

    Tuition reimbursement is available to all full time employees who have successfully completed the three-month introductory period. We will reimburse employees up to $3,250 in their first and second year of service. Employees will then receive up to $5,250 in subsequent years of service. An employee's anniversary date is the trigger point for the higher benefit and will therefore allow for a pro-rate on this benefit. Tuition Reimbursement dollars may be used for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes with the Workforce Development Program provided by BI/Deaconess Medical Center.

    Wholesale Clubs

    BJ's memberships are available at a discounted rate for our employees and their family members.

  • Time Off Benefits

    Holidays

    There are 12 paid holidays per year, which are available from date of hire.

    Introductory Period

    The first three months of employment serves as an introductory period. Employees in this category are considered "new" employees and upon successful completion of this period, or any extension of this period, will be considered a "regular" employee.

    Long Service Benefit

    We recognize the hard work and the contribution of our employees. In an effort to reward their years of service, the we provide a one time additional week of vacation for those employees that reach 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service.

    Paid Personal Leave (PPL)

    Benefit eligible employees may use 3 PPL days each year to conduct personal business. PPL days are deducted from the accrued sick bank.

    Prior Service Credit Policy

    Prior service credit will be given upon the successful completion of the 90-day introductory period to any employee that leaves the employment here for any reason other than involuntary termination, and returns to regular employment within 5 years of the termination.

    Sick Benefits

    Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 1 day per month and can be accumulated up to 36 working days. While accrual begins on the first day of employment, you must fulfill the 3-month introductory period before using this benefit.

    Vacation

    Vacation time begins accruing on the first day of employment. Vacation time for full-time, regular employees will be accrued in accordance with the schedule shown below: First and second year = 10 days or .833 days per month. Third year = 15 days or 1.25 days. Fourth year or more = 20 days or 1.67 days. Part-time employees receive the above schedule on a prorated basis. While accrual begins on the first day of employment, you must fulfill the 3-month introductory period before using this benefit.