New Hire Benefits Orientation
LEAVE
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Leave policies for classified employees is mandated by the
Louisiana Department of State Civil Service. Leave for grant
employees are mandated by regulations of the granting
authority. For unclassified, non-civil service employees, the
College has formally adopted the Louisiana Community and
Technical College System (LCTCS) Policy II.3.003 Leave
Record Establishment and Regulations for all Unclassified,
Non-Civil Service Employees as its official policy. Regulations
regarding all forms of leave for unclassified faculty and staff
(sick leave, annual leave, faculty leave, sabbatical leave,
advanced degree leave, military leave,
special/civil/emergency/other leave including
bereavement/funeral leave, family medical (FMLA) leave,
educational leave, administrative leave, compensatory leave,
leave without pay, workmen's compensation leave, leave of
absence without pay) as are addressed in LCTCS
Policy#II.3.003
Annual Leave for Unclassified
Employees on the 12-Month Basis:
DAYS OF ANNUAL LEAVE EARNED PER MONTH BY
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
Years of
Service
Day (hours
of Leave
Earned Per
Month)
Less Than
3
1
(8 hrs)
3. But Less
Than 5
5, But Less
Than 10
1-1/4
(10 hrs)
1-1/2
(12 hrs)
10, But Less
Than 15
1-3/4
(14 hrs)
15 and Over
2
(16 hrs)
HOURS OF ANNUAL LEAVE EARNED BI-WEEKLY BY
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
Years of
Service
Hours of
Leave
Earned
Biweekly
Less Than 3
3. But Less
Than 5
5, But Less
Than 10
10, But Less
Than 15
15 and Over
.0461 hour
.0576 hour
.0692 hour
.0807 hour
.0923 hour
3.688 hours 4.608 hours
5.536 hours
6.456 hours
7.384 hours
Sick Leave
Earnings
DAYS OF SICK LEAVE EARNED PER MONTH BY
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
Years of
Service
Day (hours
of Leave
Earned Per
Month)
Less Than 3. But Less
3
Than 5
1
(8 hrs)
1-1/4
(10 hrs)
5, But Less
Than 10
1-1/2
(12 hrs)
10, But Less 15 and Over
Than 15
1-3/4
(14 hrs)
2
(16 hrs)
HOURS OF SICK LEAVE EARNED BI-WEEKLY BY
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
Years of
Service
Hours of
Leave
Earned
Biweekly
Less Than 3
3. But Less
Than 5
5, But Less
Than 10
10, But Less 15 and Over
Than 15
.0461 hour
.0576 hour
.0692 hour
.0807 hour
.0923 hour
3.688 hours 4.608 hours
5.536 hours
6.456 hours
7.384 hours
Faculty Leave for Employees on Nine (9)
Month (Academic Year) Basis Only:
1. Faculty Leave is leave granted to eligible
(full-time) faculty members employed for
the academic year and who have a
regular tour of duty.
2. Faculty leave is paid leave in lieu of
annual leave and is comprised of the days
between terms and at holiday periods
when students are not in classes.
3. Faculty leave shall be granted as
specified by the official calendar of the
institution served, and shall be taken as it
is granted.
Holidays
Under the R.S 1:55 provision, “Each institution of higher education in the state, through a
representative appointed by it, shall designate a maximum of fourteen (14) legal holidays
per calendar year to be observed by all of its employees.”
1. Monday, January 17, 2011 -Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
2. Monday, March 7,2011 - Mardi Gras
3. Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - Mardi Gras
4. Friday, April 22, 2011 - Good Friday
5. Monday, July 4, 2011 -4th of July
6. Monday, September 5, 2011 - Labor Day
7. Thursday, November 24,2011- Thanksgiving
8. Friday, November 25, 2011- Thanksgiving
9. Friday, December 23, 2011 -ChristmaslWinter Holiday
10. Monday, December 26,2011- ChristmaslWinter Holiday
11. Tuesday, December 27,2011- ChristmaslWinter Holiday
12. Wednesday, December 28,2011- ChristmaslWinter Holiday
13. Thursday, December 29,2011- ChristmaslWinter Holiday
14. Friday, December 30,2011- ChristmaslWinter Holiday
Benefits
Medical:
 The Office of Group Benefits (OGB) is responsible for
administering life and health benefits for state employees,
participating school boards, and certain political subdivisions.
 A summary of the benefits offered by our health plan is
provided on the OGB website (www.groupbenefits.org), as
are listings of our health maintenance organizations and our
Flexible Benefits Plan. You will also find a listing of our
preferred providers, exclusive providers plan documents, and
specific information for providers. This site also discusses our
flexible benefits plan, contractors for mental health, and
prescription drug plan.
 Current medical benefits plans offered to Northshore
Technical College employees are as followed:
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PPO
HMO
United Health Care CD-HSA Plan
Eligibility
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Full Time Employees and
Dependents
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Legal Spouse
Never married children under 21 that
you support
Never married children up to 24 who
full time students (need proof within 30
days of each semester start)
Dependent Verification Required
Pre-Existing Conditions

If diagnosed or treated within 6 months
prior to enrollment date
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Then that condition is pre-existing and no
benefits payable for that condition in first 12
months of coverage.
Must complete enrollment form within 30
days for a new dependent otherwise preexisting condition applies.
May be exempt from PEC if continuously
covered without a 63-day break in
coverage.
Plan Overview
PPO
HMO
CDHP-HSA
Coverage In-Network
All regions
Nationwide
Nationwide
Administrator
OGB
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
LA
United Healthcare
Unlimited
Lifetime Maximum
Deductible
$500 active
$300 retiree
3-person maximum
None
$1,250 employee
$2,500 employee +1
$3,000 family
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
$1,000 per person **
$1,000 per person
$3,000 per family
$2,000 per person
Hospital In-Network
10% of contracted rate*
Pre-cert required
$100 per day
$300 max per admit
Pre-cert required
20% of contracted rate*
Pre-cert required
Doctor Visits
10% of contracted rate*
No referral required
Co-pay $15 PCP
$25 specialist
No referral required
20% of contracted rate*
(primary care & specialty
care)
*Subject to plan year deductible and/or applicable co-insurance
**Active employees & retirees without Medicare
Key Points

New employees who want to enroll
in health insurance must complete
the Acknowledgement of PreExisting Condition and Statement of
Physical Condition form and the
Insurance Portability Law (IPL)
Application.
Life Insurance

Office of Group Benefits provides life insurance for
employees and their dependents at state group rates.
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Underwritten by Prudential Insurance Co. of America
Group Term Life Plan
State pays half the premium for employees and retirees
Employee pays premium for dependent life.
Reduction of 25% in coverage and appropriate reduction
in premiums, July 1st following ages 65 & 70.
Choose between Basic Plan and Basic Plus Supplemental
Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefits are available
to all active & retired employees who are covered under
the Basic or Basic Plus plans.
Retirees over 70 not eligible for AD&D benefits.
Flexible Benefits

Why Are Flexible Benefit Plans
Important?

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Increase spendable income
Easy
Reduce Taxes
What Are Flex Plan Options?
Flex Plan Options
Premium Conversion Option
(No Fee)
Dependent Care FSA
($3.50/Month)
Health Care FSA
($3.50/Month)
Put aside your eligible payroll health care premium
deductions
Eligible premium deductions will automatically continue in
the Flex plan from year to year unless you request to drop
out during annual enrollment
Set aside money from paycheck for dependent care expense
MUST RE-ENROLL in this program each year during annual
enrollment
Set aside $600 - $5000 from paycheck for out-of-pocket
medical expenses
MUST RE-ENROLL in this program each year during annual
enrollment
Spending Account Eligibility
Requirements

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Premium Conversion- You are eligible if you are an active,
full-time employee of the State of Louisiana whose agency
participates in the State of Louisiana Flexible Benefits Plan.
Health Care FSA Eligibility - You are eligible to participate
if you meet all of the following conditions:

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are an active full-time employee,
be continuously employed by current employer for at least the
twelve consecutive months
are employed by a state employer that utilizes the State of
Louisiana Flexible Benefits Plan, and pay the administrative fee.
Dependent Care FSA Eligibility - You are eligible if you are
an active, full-time employee of the State of Louisiana whose
agency participates in the State of Louisiana Flexible Benefits
Plan and pay the administration fee.
FAQs

When can I change my elections?

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Once you enroll, your election will remain in effect for the entire
plan year unless you have a qualified status change, such as a
marriage, divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child.
What happens if I have money left in my FS account at
the end of the plan year?

Due to current IRS regulations, any money left in your Health and
Dependent Care FSAs after all claims have been processed for
that plan year must be forfeited. Please remember the IRS
“USE IT or LOSE IT” rule. You cannot carry your money into
the next plan year or be paid in cash, however, a Grace Period
has been added. (This modifies the IRS “Use it or Lose it” rule.)
This period allow you to incur eligible expenses in this period to
be paid with money remaining in your prior year account. The
Grace Period timeline is set each plan year. The Run-Off Period
is the 45-day time period after the end of the Grace Period,
during which participants can submit eligible expenses incurred
during the preceding plan year for reimbursement.
Key Points

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Employees have 30 days from hire date
to enroll in the Flexible Benefits Plan. The
employee must complete both the GB-01
Insurance Enrollment Form and the
Flexible Benefits Enrollment form and
indicate their enrollment choice OR waiver
of coverage. Do not sign in both places.
Once enrolled OGB member may only
change plans during annual enrollment.
Questions?
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A summary of the benefits offered by our
health, life insurance, or flexible plans are
provided on the OGB website
(www.groupbenefits.org).
This site will provide a benefit comparison
chart, schedule of rates, and plan
documents.
Please ask your HR Representative if you
have additional questions.
Miscellaneous Benefits
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Other Benefits are offered to State employees via general
deduction by various vendors.
Below lists some of the benefits offered:
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Dental
Vision
Savings Programs
PrePaid Legal Services
Insurance Plans
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Life
Accidental
Cancer
Heart Attack
Intensive Care
Disability
Hospital
To enroll in these benefits, the employee will need to contact
the vendor directly. Please refer to the Miscellaneous Vendor
Contact Sheet.
TRSL Retirement Plan
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Retirement benefits and contribution requirements for
Northshore Technical College unclassified employees
are mandated by the Teachers' Retirement System of
Louisiana.
All full-time, unclassified personnel are required by
state law to enroll in Teacher’s Retirement System of
Louisiana members as a condition of employment. Plan
members will contribute 8% of their salaries. For more
information regarding TRSL, please visit www.trsl.org.
The percentage contribution of each employee to
his/her retirement plan is matched with a certain
percentage by the College. Annually, the percentages
for the State Retirement Plan, Teachers' Retirement
Plan, and the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) are set
by each plan. Employer Contributions for FY 10-11
20.2%
LASERS

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Retirement benefits and contribution requirements for
Northshore Technical College employees are mandated
by the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System
(LASERS).
All classified personnel are required by state law to
enroll in Louisiana State Employees Retirement System
(LASERS) as a condition of employment. Employees will
contribute 8% if hired after 7/1/06 and 7.5% if hired
before 7/1/06. For more information regarding LASERS,
please visit www.lasersonline.org.
The percentage contribution of each employee to his/her
retirement plan is matched with a certain percentage by
the College. Annually, the percentages for the State
Retirement Plan, Teachers' Retirement Plan, and the
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) are set by each plan.
Employer Contributions for FY 10-11 22%