Benefits
in•for•ma•tion n. knowledge derived from study or experience.
98. Vacations. All full-time employees are entitled to a one (1) week paid vacation after one (1) year of employment. After three (3) years of full-time employment, employees are entitled to one (1) week paid and one (1) week unpaid vacation, for a total of two (2) weeks vacation. After five (5) years of full-time employment, employees are entitled to a total of two (2) weeks paid vacation. The second week of vacation may not be taken within three (3) months of the first vacation period and no vacations are allowed during the blackout period.
Blackout periods are as follows: Spring Break [March - April], Tent Sale, Back to School, and Christmas Holiday [November 10th - January 10th] selling seasons. A vacation request form must be filled out and approved by your supervisor. Vacation time may not be accrued from one year to the next. Use it or lose it.
99. Disability and Maternity Leave. All employees who cannot work due to a non-job related disability are covered under the company provided, short-term disability insurance program, if they meet the eligibility requirements of the New York State Disability Benefits Law.
A company maternity plan is available after one (1) year of full-time employment and entitles qualified employees up to eight (8) weeks paid leave, based on 50% of the eligible employees' average weekly wage (for the last eight weeks previous to the leave) up to a specified maximum amount. For more information please contact Pam Hartfield at (716) 626-3244.
- 100. Health Insurance. Community Blue or Traditional Blue Health Insurance are the two programs that are available to employees. Coverage is available to employees thirty (30) days after hire. Employees are responsible for monthly premium payments for the first year of full-time employment. After one (1) year of full-time employment The Advantage Co. will provide the following contributions toward premium payments on the Community Blue program. The company will contribute 10% to the cost of coverage each consecutive year of full-time employment. The company's contribution is based on the Community Blue single rate. After 10 years of full-time employment, both single and family coverage on the Community Blue plan are paid in full.
- 101. Dental Plan. Dental coverage is provided through Cigna Dental Care and is available thirty (30) days after date of hire. The monthly premium of this plan is the responsibility of the employee and will be paid through a predetermined weekly payroll deduction.
- 102. Vision and Eye Care Courtesy. This arrangement is available only to full-time Advantage Co. employees who have worked for the company for at least one (1) year. Dr. Cerrone will provide a complete annual eye exam for $10. The agreement also provides for discounts on eyeglasses and contacts.
- 103. COBRA. In the event that an employee leaves the Advantage Co. and they are enrolled in the company’s group health insurance plan, the employee may stay on the plan for up to 18 months, (or 29 months if they are disabled at the time of departure from the company), through the provisions of COBRA. Employees assume responsibility for monthly premiums on COBRA. Non payment of a monthly premium will result in cancellation of the coverage. For more information contact Pam Hartfield at (716) 626-3244.
- 104. 401k Plan. A 401K retirement plan is available to all employees who have been employed for one year, at a minimum of 1000 hours, and are at least 21 years of age. Once an employee is eligible to join the plan, they may contribute 1 to 15% of their gross pay (pretax) into the plan and the company will provide a match of 25% of the first 4% contributed by the employee. For complete information, contact Pam Hartfield at (716) 626-3244.
- 105. Family and Medical Leave Act. FMLA is a federally mandated unpaid leave, available to eligible employees for qualifying events. Employees become eligible to apply for a leave of this nature after completing 12 months and 1250 hours of employment. Contact Pam Hartfield at at (716) 626-3244 for a complete explanation of FMLA.
