Employee Benefits Update:
As previously communicated, effective January 1, 2019 we have transitioned our benefit program to Sun Life Financial.
Your new Sun Life benefit packages and wallet ID card(s) will be mailed to your home address on file within the next few weeks along with further information on how to get setup online for enhanced plan member access online and enhanced mobile app services as well as electronic claim submission services.
Should you and your eligible dependents incur any claims on or after January 1st for Health or Dental expenses prior to receiving your new benefit packages, please ensure to retain all of your original receipts as you will be able to submit these claims later on to Sun Life Financial (online or by mail, depending on the expense type).
REMINDER: Claims Incurred Prior to January 1, 2019
Our current benefit program with GroupHealth and Manulife terminated on January 1, 2019. It is important that you submit any claims incurred before January 1st to GroupHealth and Manulife within 90 days (by March 31, 2019). Online services through Manulife will be discontinued after January 1st, however, manual claim submission by paper claim form will still be available.
Questions regarding the benefit transition may continue to be forwarded to the attention of Ernie Baatz at ernie@spectrumsociety.org or Naomi Holmes at naomi@spectrumsociety.org.
Happy New Year!
Employee Benefits Memo December 12, 2018
______________________________________________________________________
Spectrum Society for Community Living is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive employee benefit program to protect their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. To ensure we offer the best programs for the best value, we review them regularly.
As a result of significant cost increases proposed for the next year under the current benefit plan, considerable time has been invested this year in analyzing our programs.
Effective January 1, 2019 we will be transitioning our benefit program to Sun Life Financial. Through the new program, employees will see a decrease in their monthly contributions towards Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits deduction.
Your new Sun Life benefit packages and wallet ID card(s) will be provided to you in January. Information on how to get setup online for enhanced plan member access, enhanced mobile app services, and electronic claim submission services will also be provided. We will be providing a letter for you to bring to appointments in January if you have appointments that occur before the new cards arrive.
Claims Incurred Before January 1, 2019
Our current benefit program with GroupHealth and Manulife will terminate on January 1, 2019. It is important that you submit any claims incurred before January 1st to GroupHealth and Manulife within 90 days (by March 31, 2019). Online services through Manulife will be discontinued after January 1st, however, manual claim submission by paper claim form will still be available.
What is Required of Me?
Our Consultant at Hub International | Pointbreak Consulting Group Ltd. will be hosting an introductory employee information webinar on December 19, 2018. Details regarding the highlights of the new plan, how to submit claims as well as technology and tools available to you as a plan member will also be discussed during this session. More info to follow on the webinar details for this meeting in the next week.
Please share this information with your co-workers to ensure everyone knows about this change. We know that some people don’t read all their emails J .
Questions regarding the benefit transition may continue to be forwarded to the attention of Ernie Baatz at ernie@spectrumsociety.org or Naomi Holmes at naomi@spectrumsociety.org.
______________________________________________________________________
MANDT System – Building Healthy Relationships
The Mandt System® program presents an education and training system of gradual and graded alternatives for de-escalating and supporting people, using a combination of interpersonal communication skills and physical interaction techniques designed to reduce injury to all the participants in an encounter.
We are pleased to offer Mandt Training to our staff. Please speak with your program manager to be referred to attend an upcoming session.
Three Day Mandt Training
- In-depth training over three 6 hour classes
- Physical skill training
Training will take place in the Barb Goode Training Centre at 3223 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC
Upcoming Session: January 17th and 18th, and 22nd 2019
______________________________________________________________________
CSSEA Employee Purchase Program
If you are looking for a new cell phone deal you might want to check this out.
The TELUS Employee Purchase Program (EPP) gives discounts on TELUS Mobility plans and devices to employees of select organizations.
This deal is available to all employees of agencies that belong to CSSEA. Spectrum is an associate member of CSSEA.
You have to use your @spectrumsociety.org email address to be verified.
Link to Posters: Holiday 2018 EPP – CSSEA (003)
______________________________________________________________________
Looking for Members for Health & Safety Committee
The Health and Safety Committee is accepting nominations for those who would like to join the committee.
If you or someone you know would like to be nominated, please notify Naomi or Rachel in Human Resources at personnel@spectrumsociety.org.
According to WorkSafe BC, there should be no fewer than four regular members. If nominations are insufficient, the team will appoint employees to become members.
Below are some responsibilities of an H&S Committee member:
– Meet once per month (attendance compensated)
– Improve safety within the organization
– Educate about safety within the organization – training opportunities
– Review safety issues
– Provide feedback on safety issues
– Represent employees within safety related issues
– Review of incidents (WorkSafe claims)
– Review Unsafe Working Conditions reports
– Provide awareness to people regarding safety issues
Health and Safety members review Work Safe claims within Spectrum. One of the main goals of the H&S Committee is to prevent injuries and accidents from re-occurring.
______________________________________________________________________
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) –
Helps You with Personal and Professional Concerns
If you are currently enrolled in our employee group benefits, you are eligible to receive support from the EAP.
Spectrum’s EAP is known as LifeWorks, which is provided by Ceridian.
It provides you and your immediate family with 24/7 access to confidential support and resources you need to manage almost any personal or professional issue,
so you can lead a healthier, happier, more productive life.
What can you get help with?
- Parenting and Child Care
- Education
- Older Adults
- Midlife & Retirement
- Financial and Legal Issues
- Work Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Emotional Well-Being
https://www.lifeworks.com/ca/solution/employee-assistance-program-eap/
For more information and to access the program, please contact Human Resources at personnel@spectrumsociety.org
