Page 20 - CZS Employee Handbook
P. 20
Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation may receive for tuition reimbursement is $1,000 per cal-
endar year for eligible nonunion employees and $400 per
insurance provides protection for covered medical claims calendar year for eligible union employees. Expenses for
and partial income replacement. Coverage is available for books, supplies, or transportation are not covered.
job-related illnesses, injuries, or disabilities. Workers’ com- A Tuition Reimbursement Course Approval form must
pensation benefits provide payments toward your medical be submitted to the Human Resources Department prior
bills and doctors’ fees and, if you are unable to work, will to the start of the course. Reimbursement of tuition costs is
pay a portion of your basic wages. contingent on successful completion of the course and sub-
It is essential that employees report any work-related mission of a Tuition Reimbursement Request and required
accident or injury, no matter how minor, to their manage- documentation. A grade report or letter from the registrar
ment supervisor and to the Safety Department immediate- of the academic institution or a letter from the course in-
ly. Failure to file an accident report or to provide accurate structor for a nonacademic institution is required to receive
information may jeopardize your ability to obtain benefits reimbursement. In addition, documentation of the cost of
from this valuable insurance protection program. the course and payment for the course are required. Please
When returning from a workers’ compensation absence, refer to the Training and Tuition Costs Policy No. 2018 for
contact your management supervisor before beginning additional information and other requirements.
work and be certain to bring a written release from your
doctor. If you have questions about workers’ compensation 401(k) Employee Retirement
insurance, please contact Safety Department staff, who can Savings Plan The Society provides employees with
provide information about workers’ compensation insur-
ance and your legal rights regarding this benefit. a means to plan for their financial security in retirement.
The responsibility to evaluate and plan for retirement
Tuition Reimbursement The Chicago Zoologi- belongs to the employee. All employees are responsible for
evaluating the investment options offered and for making
cal Society encourages its employees to continue to grow, decisions regarding which investment options they choose
develop, and further their education. Such activity benefits for their retirement portfolio.
both the employee and the institution. The Society assists Currently, the Society offers a 401(k) retirement savings
with the cost of tuition and appropriate outside courses plan to employees who qualify and meet the eligibility cri-
or seminars. Consideration is given for job-related cours- teria for the plan. A portion of your pay can be contributed
es undertaken at accredited colleges, universities, high to the 401(k) plan on a tax-free basis if you choose, which
schools, or other approved academic institutions. Certain can also reduce the amount of federal income tax you are
offerings at nonacademic institutions (such as museums or required to pay. Any earnings on your 401(k) contribu-
botanical gardens) may also be considered. All regular, full- tions are untaxed until you retire or withdraw the money
time employees who have been continuously employed for from the plan. You may also contribute to the plan on an
at least one continuous year are eligible to apply for tuition after-tax basis. The Society will match a portion of your
reimbursement benefits. The maximum amount employees pretax contributions or Roth after-tax contributions up to
18 SECTION 4: Employee Benefits
