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Health Insurance
The University provides all full-time classified employees with the COVA Care Plan or High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) at group rates. The plan is administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and covers out patient-inpatient care, major medical, chiropractic services, dental services and out patient prescription drugs. Employee only, employee plus one and family coverage's are available. The premium is shared by the university and employee. The University provides payroll deduction for the premium on a pre-tax basis. Coverage begins on the first day of the first full month of employment if the employee applies for coverage within 31 days of employment. The COVA care plan is served by the Anthem network of providers plus a network of Blue Cross PPO providers in all 50 states and worldwide. For more information visit DHRM's health benefits website.

Flexible Reimbursement Accounts
There are two types of reimbursement accounts: medical and dependent care. A medical reimbursement account allows you to set aside pretax dollars to pay for medical, dental, vision care or other eligible expenses not covered by your medical plan. A dependent-care reimbursement account allows you to set aside pretax dollars to pay for eligible dependent-care expenses.

Life Insurance
The university provides all full-time classified employees with group life insurance. The principal amount of life insurance is double the annual salary rounded to the next largest thousand dollars. (For example, a $10,500 annual salary provides a $22,000 policy.) Life insurance premiums are paid by the university.

Optional Life Insurance
The optional life insurance plan provides all full-time classified employees a way to supplement the basic group life insurance for themselves, a spouse and/or children. There are four options: one, two, three and four times your annual salary. Optional life insurance premiums are paid by the employee and based on the employee's age and annual salary for coverage for employee and child. Cost for spousal coverage is based on spouse's age and employee's annual salary. For more information visit the VRS website.

Retirement and Social Security
All full-time classified employees are provided membership in the Virginia Retirement System. The university supplements federal Social Security benefits with the Virginia Retirement System's provisions for disability or age retirement. Members are vested in the retirement system with the completion of five years of credited service. The university pays the employer's and the employee's contribution. All income on retirement contributions is accumulated in the retirement fund. For more information visit Virginia Retirement System.

Workers' Compensation Insurance
Classified employees incapacitated by injury or illness as defined by the Workers' Compensation Act are entitled to benefits provided by the act. The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission requires all job-related injuries and illnesses be reported immediately by the employee to their supervisor. The employee is required to be treated by one of the panel of physicians approved by the university if medical services are needed.

Annual Leave - Vacation
Annual-leave credits are accumulated at the rates and maximums shown below:

Years of Service Hours Accrued per Pay Period Hours Accred per Year Max. Carry-over Limits Max. Payment Limits
0-5 years 4 hours 96 hours (12 days) 192 hours (24 days) 192 hours (24 days)
5-10 years 5 hours 120 hours (15 days) 240 hours (30 days) 240 hours (30 days)
10-15 years 6 hours 144 hours (18 days) 288 hours (36 days) 288 hours (36 days)
15-20 years 7 hours 168 hours (21 days) 336 hours (42 days) 288 hours (36 days)
20-25 years 8 hours 192 hours (24 days) 384 hours (48 days) 336 hours (42 days)
25+ years 9 hours 216 hours (27 days) 432 hours (54 days) 336 hours (42 days)

Annual-leave credits will not be earned for service less than a full semimonthly pay period. Employees may request annual leave to provide paid absences for vacation, personal reasons and sickness when earned sick-leave credits have been exhausted. A leave card needs to be submitted to Human Resources for leave.

Sick Leave (for employees hired prior to January 1, 1999 NOT in VSDP)
Sick leave protects employees against loss of pay when they must miss work because of illness or injury. Sick leave is earned at the rate of five hours for each semi-monthly pay period with no maximum accrual limit.

Sick leave may also be used for illness of an immediate family member. Immediate family includes mother, father, children, spouse, sister, brother, step-parents, step-children, or any other blood relative living within the household. Family sick leave is limited to a maximum of 48 hours per leave year. Up to three days of sick leave may be used for the death of an immediate family member, as defined above. Supervisors may request medical documentation for any absences related to illness. All absences over 24 hours require medical documentation.

If you have five years of service, you are eligible to be paid for 25% of your accumulated, un-used sick leave up to a maximum of $5,000 upon separation from state service. A leave card XLS needs to be submitted to Human Resources for sick leave.

Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP)
All full-time classified employees hired on or after January 1, 1999, must enroll in the VSDP. Under this program, employees are provided sick leave and family and personal leave each leave year. This leave cannot be carried over from year to year. In the event of an extended illness or serious injury, VSDP also provides for short-term and long-term disability benefits at 100%, 80%, or 60% of the employee's salary.

Sick Leave (S) may be taken for personal illnesses, injuries, preventive care and wellness physician visits. 33% of an employee's sick can be used for qualifying family FMLA absences.

Family/Personal Leave (F/P) may be taken at the discretion of the employee for any purpose (family, illness, attend a funeral, or other personal needs, etc.) provided the employee gives reasonable notice and his/her supervisor approves the absence.

Sick Leave and Family/Personal Leave cannot be carried over to the next leave year (January 10th - January 9th) or paid out upon separation.

Accrual rates are based on total months of State service (or previous State service). New hires and rehires accrual rates are based on the date of employment. In subsequent years, the accrual rates for rehires are based on total months of State service (see accrual rates chart below.)

Reference from: DHRM website
Policy Number: 4.57 - Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
Efft. Date: 1/1/99 - Rev. Date: 11/25/05

The following charts reflect the rates for sick leave and family and personal leave according to months of state service:

Sick Leave: Current Full-Time

Months of State Service Sick Leave Hours/Working Days
Less than 60 64 (8 days)
60-119 72 (9 days)
120 or more 80 (10 days)

Sick Leave: New Full-Time

Employment Begin Date Sick Leave Hours/Working Days
January 10 - July 9 64 (8 days)
July 10 - January 9 40 (5 days)

Family and Personal Leave: Current Full-Time

Months of State Service Sick Leave Hours/Working Days
Less than 60 32 (4 days)
60-119 32 (4 days)
120 or more 40 (5 days)

Family and Personal Leave: New Full-Time

Employment Begin Date Sick Leave Hours/Working Days
January 10 - July 9 32 (4 days)
July 10 - January 9 16 (2 days)

Family and Medical Leave
The university allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid family or medical leave due to the birth of a child, placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, the employee is needed to care for a family member (child, spouse or parent) with a serious health condition or the employee's own serious health condition makes him or her unable to work.

Holidays
The university observes 12 authorized holidays each year. These holidays are scheduled to meet the needs of the university's academic calendar. Please refer to Policy 1102 of the James Madison University Manual of Policies and Procedures for the current schedule.

Civil Leave
Classified employees are granted leave with full pay for any absence necessary for serving on a jury or attending court as a witness under subpoena. Court orders are to be discussed with the immediate supervisor.

Military
It is the university's objective to grant military leave with or without pay to employees for active duty in the United States armed services or employees who are former members of the armed services, current members of the reserve forces of any of the United States armed services, the Commonwealth's Militia (National Guard, Naval Militia and Virginia State Defense Force) or the National Defense Executive Reserve, in accordance with federal and state law.

Tax-Deferred Annuities and Deferred Compensation Plan
Tax-deferred annuities are available from university approved companies. Payroll deductions may not exceed state and federal tax regulations; therefore, calculations are required to start a payroll deduction. The university also maintains a deferred-compensation plan administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The state provides a half match up to $20 per pay period.

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Additional Benefits

CommonHealth
CommonHealth is an employee wellness program that provides a choice of how one can improve or maintain physical and mental health. Programs vary each semester. For more information visit CommonHealth.

Employee Assistance Program
Employees of the commonwealth who experience personal problems can get help through an employee assistance program. Employees have mental health and substance abuse coverage under COVA Care.

Recreational Activities
There are numerous opportunities for classified employees to participate in recreational activities on campus. University recreational facilities are available to classified employees and their immediate families. Season football and basketball tickets are available to classified employees at a reduced cost.

Parking
The Parking Services program is under the direction of Business Services. For the latest information concerning employee vehicle registration, please refer to the Faculty and Staff sections on the Parking services website or contact the parking office at 568-3300.

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Professional Development and Education

On-Campus Waiver of Tuition Program
Full-time employees may pursue on-campus courses of instruction offered by the university without paying tuition. Certain requirements must be met prior to course registration.

University-Financed Education Programs
The university finances special programs of instruction for classified employees. Instruction under this program must be directly related to the long-range operational needs of the university. The program is designed to train employees in the use of new or modified equipment and development of skills required for changes in position. Contact the University Training Center for additional information.

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Services

Credit Unions
The university offers two credit unions classified employees may join. Participation in these associations is secured through the purchase of one or more shares of stock and membership fee payment. Employees may apply for a loan through the purchase of one or more shares of stock and membership fee payment. Employees may apply for a loan through the credit union and current interest rates and also maintain a savings account with pays interest based on credit union earnings. Other services available to members are Christmas clubs, vacation clubs, share drafts and checking accounts.

Americans With Disabilities Act
The Office of Equal Opportunity monitors the university's compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Employees requiring assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact their immediate supervisor or activity coordinator. ADA policy issues should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity or Human Resources.

Equal Employment Opportunity
It is the policy of James Madison University to promote equal opportunity as it relates to employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, educational programs and the opportunity to progress with the university. Such opportunities will not be restricted because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.

Optional Services

  • Library: Use of books, periodicals and reference materials
  • Theater: Movies at reduced rates
  • Bookstore, post office, banking and dining facilities

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