Employment & Benefits » Benefits
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is committed to providing a competitive benefit package to all lay and religious employees of the Diocese. Beginning the first of the month following or coinciding with the first day of employment, all full-time and regular part-time employees who customarily work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for all benefits except health insurance, which requires employees to work 30 hours per week.
Those benefits are:
- Health, Life and Vision Insurance
- Short and Long Term Disability Coverage
- Retirement
- Holidays and Paid Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
For additional questions and information on Benefits, please contact Etta Shepperd, Benefits Manager at 804-622-5209.
Health, Life and Vision Insurance
Health Insurance
Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield provides health insurance coverage for
diocesan employees and their eligible dependents. Employees in the
Metropolitan Richmond, Tidewater,
An employee is eligible for enrollment on the first of the month coinciding with or following the date of hire. The health insurance package also includes dental coverage through Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield. The diocesan employer and employee share the cost of the premium. A premium conversion plan is in place, which allows employees to have their gross wages reduced by the amount of the employee contribution for the health/dental insurance package before calculating federal, state, Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Visit www.anthem.com for forms, provider information and other useful information.
Life Insurance
Basic life insurance coverage amounting to $10,000 is provided by
the Diocese for all eligible employees working in the parishes,
schools, and other agencies covered by the Diocese’s comprehensive
personnel polices, “Called to Work in Harmony”.
Supplemental life insurance coverage equal to one, two, or three
times an employee's annual salary is available. The Supplemental
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance is
provided by the Hartford Life Insurance Company, effective November
1, 2008.
The life insurance has a waiver of premium if total disability begins before age 60 and it includes an Accelerated Benefit provision which allows a terminally ill employee on waiver of premium to receive up to 50% of the proceeds before death.
The cost of Supplemental Life insurance is based on age and amount of coverage and is paid in total by the employee through payroll deduction.
Vision Care Coverage
The SPECTERA Vision Care Plan, an optional stand-alone vision plan,
offers each enrolled member an eye exam once every 12 months by a
participating optometrist plus a pair of clear, single vision or
standard, lined multi-focal lenses and a frame. A $5.00 co-payment
for the exam and a $25 co-payment for the glasses are required in
addition to the monthly premium which is paid in total by the
employee through payroll deduction.
In lieu of exam, lenses and a frame, a $100 credit will be applied toward the exam and purchase of contact lenses. Cosmetic extras such as tints, photosensitive or progressive lenses are available at an additional charge, which is below the usual retail cost.
Short and Long Term Disability Coverage
Effective November 1, 2008, the Diocese provides short and long-term disability benefits through the Hartford Insurance Company to protect employees against loss of income due to non-work related sickness or injury. This employer-paid benefit provides for payment of 60% of an employee's gross salary after being disabled for 29 consecutive days. Short-term benefits are payable for 22 weeks. After that time, long-term benefits will be paid at 60% of an employee's monthly salary. Long-term benefits are reduced by any other income for which the employee is eligible, i.e. Social Security Benefits or retirement payments.
Disability insurance coverage begins the day following the completion of the waiting period, which is three months from the beginning date of employment.
Benefits for a maternity related disability are payable in the event of an illness brought on by the pregnancy prior to delivery. Disability usually begins on the day of delivery and continues throughout the post-partum period (usually six weeks) when the employee is prohibited, as certified by her physician, from performing any and every duty pertaining to her employment.
The disability insurance may be converted to an individual policy without medical evidence of insurability if you leave the employment of the Diocese prior to retiring. Also, in some instances survivor benefits are payable in the event of the death of an employee who was receiving long term benefits.
Visit www.thehartfordatwork.com for information on life insurance and disability benefits.
Retirement
The Diocese of Richmond Lay Employees' Retirement Plan is an employer paid benefit. There is no employee contribution. The defined benefit plan has a five-year vesting period. Employees are entitled to a benefit after five years of credited service, which is not limited to one diocesan employer.
An employee becomes a participant by virtue of his/her employment. Employers are contacted annually to report all new eligible employees. Mercer Benefit Consulting is the actuary for the retirement plan.
The normal retirement date is the first of the month coinciding with or following the participant's 65th birthday. A permanently reduced early retirement benefit is available after age 55 and 10 years of service. The benefit calculation is made by using a formula involving the average earnings for the five highest consecutive calendar years and the years of credited service.
The plan provides for a lump-sum payment to terminated vested employees whose accrued benefit does not exceed $5,000. The one-time payment is made after completion of the annual actuarial valuation of the Retirement Plan. The Retirement Plan also provides a $5,000 death benefit for active employees. If an employee retires under the regular form of normal retirement, no benefit is payable at death. Other payment options are provided at the time of retirement.
Holidays and Paid Leave
Holidays
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees are entitled to
paid holidays. The Diocese
recognizes 13 holidays throughout the year. Limited
part-time and temporary employees do not earn paid leave.
Employees working an academic school year will be eligible only for those holidays recognized in the established school calendar.
Paid Leave - Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days
Paid leave is available to all regular full-time and part-time
employees in the offices and institutions of the Diocese of
Richmond. Limited part-time and temporary employees do not earn paid
leave.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Diocese provides an Employee Assistance Program administered by Cigna Behavioral Health for all employers, employees and members of their households. When the problems of life and work become more than they can handle alone, the EAP is there. Help for issues such as depression, substance abuse, child care, domestic violence, legal matters, elder care, financial advice and many other areas is available by calling a toll free number 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is totally CONFIDENTIAL. All information shared is between the person calling and the EAP Provider. This benefit is provided by the employers free of charge to all employees. The toll-free number can be obtained from the employer or the Human Resources Office.
Visit www.cignabehavioral.com for additional information.
