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Provisional Employee
(Except Section 220/Prevailing Rate Employees)

The information below has been prepared to answer some of the questions you may have about your employment status and fringe benefits as a new provisional employee.

“PROVISIONAL” EMPLOYMENT

As a provisional, your employment is temporary. Reasons for discontinuance of your employment could include the establishment of an appropriate eligible list or failure to meet performance expectations.

BECOMING A “PERMANENT” OR “CIVIL SERVICE” EMPLOYEE

In order to become a permanent employee in your title, you must pass a Civil Service Exam and be appointed from a Civil Service List. Announcements of exams are printed in the City Record and in the Civil Service newspaper, “The Chief”. The Office of Human Resources also posts announcements on its bulletin board outside Room B215. Whenever possible, individual notices are sent to eligible staff members.

When you pass the exam for your title and are appointed from the resulting Civil Service list, your status will be changed from “provisional” to “probable permanent”. Permanent status is gained upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period which is usually one year.

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

The Employee Health Benefits Program of the City of New York has provided the enclosed summary program description booklet outlining the following hospitalization and medical plans offered.

• *Empire Blue Choice
• *Med Team/Choice (DC 37 Titles Only)
• *Cigna Healthcare *HIP/HMO
• *Health Net (formerly Physicians Health Services)
• *Aetna US Healthcare HMO
• *Aetna US Healthcare QPOS
• *HIP/Choice Plus Vytra (Queens and Long Island)
• *GHI HMO Select (formerly Well Care)

Some provide options for using healthcare providers outside the HMO panel.

The City of New York will pay 100% of the basic plan for GHI-CBP IEBC/BS, HIP/HMO and Med-Team. The remaining plans require payroll deductions for the basic plan. Optional coverage may be purchased for all the health plans through additional payroll deductions.

You have the option of joining one of the above health plans. Coverage for you and your eligible dependents will begin 90 days after the date of your employment. The definition of eligible dependent has been expanded to include a registered domestic partner.

COVERAGE IS NOT AUTOMATIC

The required enrollment forms are available in the Human Resources Office, Room B215. If you do not desire health insurance coverage, you must complete a waiver. Under certain circumstances, you may be entitled to an annual cash incentive payment when you waive health benefits. For additional information or an appointment call (718) 518-6650.

UNION WELFARE BENEFITS

Union Welfare Benefits may be available to you through the Welfare Fund covering your title. Benefits may include:

• *Basic Life Insurance Optical
• *Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• *Hearing Aid
• *Short Time Disability
• *Podiatry
• Dental
• Supplementary Surgical Benefit
• Prescription Drug Plan

• PICA Drug Benefit (PICA covers medications in four specific drug categories: Psychotropic, Injectable, Chemotherapy, and Asthma through NPA)

• Survivor Benefit
• *Transit Benefit Program

A list of Welfare Fund Benefits from DC37 is in your packet. Contact your union representative for further information.

A voluntary life insurance program is available to all employees in titles covered by DC37, their spouses and eligible dependents. Payments are made through payroll deductions. If your title is covered by DC37 (see Welfare Fund list attached) contact your union representative for further information.

PRE-TAX BENEFITS

A number of City benefit programs are designed to save employees taxes on contributions paid for enrollment. They are as follows:

THE MEDICAL SPENDING CONVERSION PROGRAM (MSC)

MSC allows employees who contribute to their health insurance plan to pay for this coverage on a pre-tax basis. Employees are automatically enrolled in the MSC program unless they elect otherwise by completing a form declining the benefit.

THE DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM (DECAP)

The DECAP program allows employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside a fund to pay for daycare, childcare or in-home care for a disabled spouse or parent.

THE HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT PROGRAM (HCFSA)

HCFSA permits employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside a fund to pay for eligible health care expenses which are not reimbursable under their health and welfare insurance coverage. More information on these benefits and the necessary forms for enrollment are available through the Human Resources Office.

LONG TERM CARE PLAN (CIGNA)

The City of New York offers a long term care plan that is available to all CUNY employees. New employees are guaranteed acceptance if they enroll within 30 days of employment. Thereafter, employees may enroll at any time, but will be required to provide medical evidence of good health. This plan may be paid for through payroll deductions. Premiums are based on each individual’s age upon enrollment and the option chosen. This plan is available to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and grandparents-in-law.
   COVERAGE CONTINUES AS LONG AS PREMIUMS ARE PAID.

RETIREMENT BENEFIT

You may join the New York City Employees’ Retirement System when you are appointed. For employees hired after 6/28/95, who have no previous City or State service there is a pre-tax contribution of 5.35% of your salary. Part of your contributions plus 5% interest can be withdrawn if you resign or are otherwise terminated from your position within a 5 year period.

Information about the pension plan and applications are available in the Human Resources Office. You may also obtain additional information and downloadable forms, from our Benefits Related Websites.

TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES (TDA)

You may participate in a Tax Deferred Annuity Program known as a 403(b). Through a salary reduction agreement you can set aside a percentage of your salary before taxes. This program made available through the Copeland Companies. An appointment may be made with the agents for the program by calling (212) 840-8610.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION

You are covered by Worker’s Compensation. Accidents must be reported immediately to the Security Office. DO NOT PAY for any medical/hospital expenses incurred as a result of your injury. All claims must be processed through the Human Resources Office. For questions or assistance with completing the forms, contact extension 6650. (see additional attachment in your orientation package for further instructions)

SICK LEAVE (blue collar/white collar agreements)

You accrue one day of paid sick leave per month.

Sick leave shall be used only for personal illness of the employee. Proof of disability must be provided by the employee, satisfactory to the College or University. Use of sick leave must be approved by your supervisor and proof of disability may be requested at any time.

Proof of disability is always required when:

1. An employee uses undocumented sick leave more than three (3) consecutive days, or

2. An employee uses undocumented sick leave more than five (5) times in a six (6) months “sick leave period” (January 1st to June 30th inclusive and July 1st to December 31st inclusive). An employee who exceeds the number of undocumented absences in any “sick leave period” shall be required to submit medical documentation before further sick leave may be approved. The requirement for such documentation shall continue in effect until the employee has worked a complete “sick leave period” without being on sick leave more than two (2) times.

ANNUAL LEAVE (blue collar/white collar agreements, Time and Leave Regulations)

“Any employee who has completed four (4) months of service may be permitted to take approved annual leave as it accrues.”

Employee request for annual leave shall be made in writing. Approval or disapproval of the request shall be made by a supervisor.

TERMINAL LEAVE (blue collar/white collar agreements)

“Terminal leave with pay shall be granted prior to final separation to employees who have completed at least ten years of CUNY service on the basis of one (1) day terminal leave for each two (2) days of accumulated sick leave up to a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) days of terminal leave. Such leave shall be computed on the basis of work days rather than calendar days.”

JURY DUTY (time and leave regulations)

“Leave for jury duty shall be granted to the employee provided that the employee remits to the College an amount equal to the amount received for such jury duty, less any amount received as reimbursement for travel expenses.”

When you report for juror service, please indicate that you are an employee of the City University. Documentation from the court verifying juror service must be submitted to the Human Resources Office. Proof of jury duty service must be submitted to the Human Resources Department, Room 215B.

DEATH IN THE FAMILY

An absence, not to exceed four (4) work days in the case of death in the immediate family. “Immediate family shall be defined as spouse; natural, foster or step-parent; child; brother or sister; father-in-law, mother-in-law; or any relative residing the same household.

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 (FMLA)

Employees of the City University of New York are eligible for leave under FMLA – (See enclosed materials in your package)

HOLIDAYS (blue collar/white collar agreements)

See Holiday Schedule for your title.

WORK HOURS

CUNY Office Assistants work 35 hours per week, usually 9am to 5 pm, with an hour for lunch. Other schedules require approval of the Department Head and the Human Resources Director. Employees in other titles may work 35 or 40 hours per week. Some positions require evening work, weekend work, and rotating shifts. You will be informed of your schedule when you start work. The Human Resources Office will give you a copy of the appropriate timekeeping regulations, inform you of the time reporting procedure for your title and give you any necessary forms.

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL

There shall be a shift differential of ten percent (10%) for all scheduled hours worked between 6pm and 8am with more than one hour of work between 6pm and 8am. An employee working overtime shall not receive a shift differential for such work, but shall receive overtime pay or compensatory time.

SHORTENED SUMMER WORK DAYS (non-air conditioned work areas) (blue collar/white collar agreements)

“Summer work week shall be a period of shorter work days from the Monday following each College’s Spring Commencement to September 1st “Shortened work days schedule do not apply to employees who work in air-conditioned facilities.”

SUMMER WORK WEEK (FOUR DAY WEEK)

For the past several years the College has closed on Fridays for a period during the summer and it is expected that this practice will continue. During these weeks most staff members work more hours per day and complete their weekly work hours in four (4) days. Others elect to continue their 9 to 5 or other schedule and charge Fridays to annual leave. Memoranda regarding the summer work week are usually distributed in April. Employees in Public Safety are not covered by the summer four-day work week schedules.

WAIVER OF TUITION FOR CUNY COURSES

CUNY Office/Secretarial Assistants are eligible after six months of service. Employees in other Civil Service titles are eligible after one year of service. The required forms are available in the Human Resources Office.

PAYCHECKS

Paychecks are distributed every two weeks on Thursday, after 3 pm. Some departments pick up and distribute paychecks to their employees. In other departments employees go to the Bursar’s Office in the Savoy Building to get their paychecks. Ask your Department Head what the procedure is in your department. Arrangements can be made for direct deposit. Direct deposit statements can be picked up in the Payroll Office, B213. Please contact the Payroll Office, extension 6671, for further information.

TRANSIT BENEFIT

A pre-tax benefit provided by the City University of New York.

For additional information on this benefit please contact your Benefits Officer in the Human Resources Department or go to the CUNY website www.cuny.edu/transitbenefit.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: The preceding pages are an attempt to summarize selected contract provisions, etc. Complete information is contained in the official booklets and policies of the applicable insurance companies, the CUNY Personnel Rules and Regulations, the White and Blue Collar Agreements, etc. These and other official sources take precedence over statements made above.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT EMPLOYER

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