Employee Benefits
Medical, dental and vision benefits are generally effective on the employee's first day of employment. All other benefits are effective on the first day of the month after the first day of employment (e.g., March 1 for an employee starting Feb. 6), unless the first day of employment is on the first day of a month (e.g., Feb. 1 for an employee starting Feb. 1).
Employees who do not enroll within the first month of their initial eligibility must wait for either open enrollment in the fall or a qualifying life event before enrolling.
benefits annual disclosure notice (pdf)
Discounts and Special Rates
Brandeis employees can avail themselves of discounted museum and movie theater passes, T passes and homeowners insurance as well as special rates on products ranging from Apple and Dell computers to Verizon wireless plans.
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Procurement and business services has negotiated special rates on a variety of goods and services with many of our preferred vendors to include discounted pricing that is extended to faculty and staff of Brandeis University. These include:
- Apple
- AT&T Wireless
- Dell
- Enterprise National Car Rental
- GovConnection
- UPS
- Verizon FiOS
- Verizon Wireless
- WB Mason
- Wyndham Hotel Group
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts enable employees to pay for eligible health (medical, dental and vision) and/or dependent care expenses with pretax dollars, thereby reducing their tax burden.
See overview of flex spending accounts
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Flexible spending accounts allow employees to pay for eligible dependent care expenses up to $5,000 per year with pretax dollars, thus reducing their overall tax burden. Eligible expenses include:
- Before- and after-school programs for children.
- Child or adult day care.
- Day nursing care, if primarily for dependent adult(s).
- Preschool for children.
- Summer day camp for children.
See list of eligible dependent care expenses
Flexible spending accounts allow employees to pay for eligible health care expenses up to $2,750 per year with pretax dollars, thus reducing their overall tax burden. Eligible expenses include:
- Health care, including acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, laser eye surgery, orthotics, prescription drugs and many over-the-counter medications.
- Dental care, including orthodontia.
- Vision care, including contacts, glasses and laser eye surgery.
See list of eligible health care expenses
Health Insurance (Dental, Medical, Vision)
Brandeis offers eligible employees a choice of three medical plans, two dental plans and a voluntary vision plan.
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Brandeis University offers eligible employees a choice of three plans from Tufts Health Plan. Please note that all Tufts plans include a vision care benefit. However, you may purchase additional vision coverage through VPS Vision Care.
Tufts PPO
Tufts EPO Premium
Tufts EPO Value Deductible
For Out-of-Service Area Employees
Documents/Resources for All Plans
Other Benefits for Tufts Subscribers
Life and Disability Insurance
Brandeis provides group term-life insurance and group long-term total disability insurance to eligible staff and faculty.
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Brandeis University provides group term-life insurance to eligible staff and faculty. The formal plan governs entitlement to benefits, benefit levels and other life-insurance coverage matters.
Effective January 1, 2021
The university provides group long-term total disability insurance to full-time staff (both nonexempt and exempt) and faculty. Follow these links for details:
Retirement Savings Plans
Brandeis University provides a 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan that enables eligible employees to direct contributions to one or more available investment options sponsored by Fidelity Investments, TIAA, or both.
See overview of retirement savings plan benefit
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All regular faculty and exempt staff who are scheduled to work half-time or more for not less than 39 weeks per year are eligible to participate in the basic retirement plan upon completion of one year of service and attainment of 21 years of age.
Faculty and exempt staff who make a contribution of at least 5% of their salary will receive an 8% university contribution. For participants over age 50, the university contribution increases to 10%.
Visit the university's retirement savings portal
All regular nonexempt employees who are scheduled to work half-time or more for not less than 39 weeks per year are eligible to participate in the basic retirement plan upon completion of one year of service and attainment of 21 years of age.
Nonexempt employees who make a contribution of at least 3% of their salary will receive a 6% university contribution. For participants over age 50, the university contribution increases to 8%.
Visit the university's retirement savings portal
Time Off and Leaves of Absence
All regular benefits-eligible staff earn paid vacation, sick and personal days as well as leave time for military service, educational advancement, family and medical emergencies, becoming a parent or losing a family member.
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All regular benefits-eligible staff earn time off on a per-pay-period basis based on time worked or paid leave. Accruals are prorated for part-time employees. Employees may track time taken in Workday.
Regular faculty and staff will be granted leave with pay up to five calendar days in the event of the death of a family member depending upon circumstances and custom.
Learn more about bereavement leave policy
An unpaid leave of up to six months may be granted to employees who wish to pursue educational advancement in an area or field that is work-related. Such leaves are granted only when the employee intends to return to the university following the leave.
learn more about educational leave policy
In accordance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, eligible faculty and staff are eligible for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave during a 12-month period.
Brandeis University is committed to protecting the employment rights of employees absent on military leave. In accordance with federal and state law, no employee or prospective employee will be subjected to any form of discrimination on the basis of that person's membership in or obligation to perform service for any of the uniformed services of the United States.
learn more about military leave policy
The University is deeply appreciative of the continued efforts made by our staff to support the University’s mission, our students and each other. We recognize the importance of work/life flexibility and time away from work to focus on yourself, your family and friends and to return to the workplace with renewed energy.
As we approach summer, we believe strongly that continued flexibility is important to support our staff. We are happy to announce that departments/units may offer a flexible or compressed schedule for staff this summer beginning June 7, 2021 through Aug.13, 2021.
It is important to note that many staff may have significant unused time off balances as a result of the vacation carry over exception and the issuance of special discretionary days. Staff with large time off balances must use this time off in lieu of the flexible schedule during all or parts of this summer to avoid losing time in August 2021. Weeks in which staff utilize time off cannot be combined with a flexible schedule.
Brandeis University’s priority is to provide effective and efficient services to internal and external constituencies during all normal working hours, Monday through Friday. Flexible or compressed work schedules must be approved by the department’s appropriate supervisor (Department Chair, Director, Dean, Vice President or Senior Vice President) and some departments may be unable to implement the program due to operational needs.
Flexible Option Program Requirements:
- Eligibility: Staff in good standing, meaning a record of satisfactory work performance, including satisfactory attendance, as determined by the supervisor.
- Flexible Schedule Option: 35 hours a week over 5 days are compressed to 4 days leaving one day off per week.
- Hours: Options available include start times as early as 7 a.m. or as late as 9 a.m. with ending times between 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Start and end times may vary per day and per week; however, the number of hours per day should remain the same.
Important Factors:
Summer Flex Period: Weeks of June 7, 2021 through August 13, 2021. (Excluding the week of June 14, as Juneteenth holiday is observed on June 18 and July 5, as Independence Day is observed on this day).
Management Accountability: Managers are accountable for ensuring their departments are covered every day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Managers are responsible for approving all proposed flexible schedules of their employees and for ensuring the total number of hours per week worked does not change.
Lunch Break: May vary by shift and day. Standard lunch for a 9 ½ hour workday must be at least 30 minutes. Longer lunch breaks may be elected by employees, which will then be reflected in an employee’s overall schedule.
Time off Accruals: Vacation, sick and personal time accruals will remain the same.
Examples of possible schedules based on a 4-day workweek with a 30-minute lunch:
- 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
- 9 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
For any questions pertaining to this program, please contact
Human Resources.
Eligible new parents may take up to eight weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or the adoption of a child under the age of 18, or for a child under the age of 23 if the child is mentally or physically disabled.
Learn more about parental leave act
It is the policy of Brandeis University to allow employees time off for certain family-related purposes in accordance with the Small Necessities Leave Act of 1998. This policy is designed to guarantee eligible employees up to 24 hours of time away for specific purposes not covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
learn more about the small necessities leave act
Brandeis employees are covered by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to workers' compensation insurance. The coverage provides a weekly cash benefit and payment for medical expenses relating to an accidental injury while at work for the university. Brandeis has elected to self-insure for workers' compensation.
Learn more about workers' compensation plan
Tuition Remission
Brandeis offers tuition remission — financial help to take undergraduate courses— to many employees and their spouses and children. Employees also are eligible to receive tuition remission for graduate courses.
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Spouses of full-time employees may enroll in Brandeis University undergraduate courses on a space-available basis and receive a 75% tuition remission. Courses may be taken through either the School of Arts and Sciences or the Rabb Summer School program.
learn more about tuition remission for employee's spouse
Dependent children of qualifying staff may receive tuition-remission benefits after being accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University.
Dependent children of eligible full-time faculty members (excluding full-time faculty in the Rabb School) and senior management may receive tuition-remission benefits when they are accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University or another higher educational institution.
learn more about tuition remission for dependent children enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs
Work-Life Balance
To help balance work achievements and life activities, Brandeis offers a variety of programs, services and resources to help our employees attain a healthy lifestyle.
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Brandeis supports its employees with young families. Breast-feeding mothers are offered adequate break times and private spaces to express milk for their babies.
The following rooms are options for lactation activities for mothers. Mothers must bring their own breast pumps; all rooms have refrigeration, electrical outlets and microwaves for sterilization. Most have sinks nearby.
Goldfarb 69-41A
The room is kept locked, but a key can be checked out at the library information desk with a Brandeis ID. Reservations can be made on the library lactation room Google calendar; the space can accommodate two mothers at one time. The key should be returned to the information desk after use. For more information, email library-lactation@brandeis.edu.
Gerstenzang 134
The room, marked 98-116, is accessible by ID card, which can be obtained from ... (is it still Jessica Basille?). Up to three women at one time may use this space. Reservations are not required.
Rabb Graduate Center 118
This private room is equipped with refrigeration, a microwave (for sterilization) and numerous electrical outlets. Access to the room is by key, which can be obtained by contacting Shannon Kearns in women's, gender and sexuality studies or Lisa Pannella in the English department. Reservations are required and can be made via Google calendar, available through the Office of Human Resources or the Office of Graduate Student Affairs.
Employees may use the facilities at Gosman Sports and Convocation Center with presentation of a Brandeis ID card. (Passes may be purchased for spouse and dependent children.) In addition, the Brandeis University Staff Advisory Committee sponsors a number of social and recreational activities throughout the year, including an arts club, knitting club, book discussion group and pick-up basketball games.
Work-Life Support
Amidst the many challenges that this year has brought, staff and faculty may be confronted by unexpected illness or loss, intense uncertainty or loneliness, or challenged by newfound tensions around personal and professional priorities. Recognizing the need for spiritual support among staff and faculty, the Center for Spiritual Life and Hillel are offering caring, pastoral-skilled, experienced listening, spiritual guidance and pastoral care.
Sign up for a 1-1 conversation today.
Religious services
Religious services are held throughout the year at the Berlin (Jewish), Bethlehem (Catholic) and Harlan (Protestant) chapels as well as the Dharmic prayer and meditation space and Muslim prayer space on campus. Schedules and more information are available at the Center for Spiritual Life website.
Dependent Care Resource and Referral Pilot Program
Provides back-up child care and adult and elder care for dependents of benefits-eligible faculty and staff as well as full-time PhD students. See details about the program.
On-Site Child Care
Quality, dependable child care arrangements are a major consideration when you’re a parent.
The Gersh and Sarah Lemberg Children's Center, located directly across from campus, offers employees full- and part-time care for children 6 weeks to 6 years. Along with parents and Brandeis students, professional child care providers operate this nonprofit, accredited, licensed day care center, with payment based on income.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. You can reach them at 781-736-2200.
Resources
It is important to us at Brandeis that staff and faculty are well-supported in all they do — on and off campus, and in every stage of their lives. With the help of New Directions, the university offers employees new-parent coaching, child care referrals, short-term counseling and help with family, financial or substance-abuse issues.
These employee assistance services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, every day. Login to the New Directions website (company code: Brandeis University) or call 800-828-6025.
TIAA June Participant Live Webinars
These webinars are open to all institutional employees and are available now for registration in the Live Webinar Lounge (www.tiaa.org/webinars).
- Charting Your Course: A financial guide for Women, June 15, 12 p.m.
- Lifetime Income: Market proof Your Retirement, June 15, 3 p.m.
- An Introduction to Alternative Investments: Real Estate, June 16, 12 p.m.
- Well-Rounded Retirement – An Overview, June 16, 3 p.m.
- Financial Housekeeping for now and later, June 17, 12 p.m.
- Within Reach: Transitioning from career to retirement, June 17, 3 p.m.
For additional information, please visit the TIAA flyer.
Financial Planning Webcasts
Faculty and staff enrolled in a Tufts health plan through the university are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $150 for themselves and one covered dependent 18 or older, for a maximum family benefit of $300 per year. See your Tufts benefits statement for details.
EdHealth Walking Challenge that runs June 7 through July 4
EdHealth, the employee health insurance collaboration, has partnered once again with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to sponsor its popular Walk This Way to a Healthier You challenge June 7 through July 4.
Join forces with your Brandeis colleagues to compete against other Boston-area colleges and universities that are part of the edHealth collaborative. Grand prizes will be awarded to the individual at each school who walks the most steps and to the school with the highest average of steps walked during the contest. In addition, weekly prize drawings will be held at each participating school for high-achieving steppers.
For every week of the walking challenge, three winners from each school will be part of the “Walk This Way” gift card raffle. Participant eligibility for corresponding prizes:
- 5,000 steps per day or 35,000 steps per week - $50 gift card
- 7,500 steps per day / 52,500 step per week - $75 gift card
- 10,000 steps per day/ 70,000 steps per week - $100 gift card
- Top Stepper wins a $500 grand prize gift card
Well-Being Webinar Series
Tufts Health Plan is sponsoring a live Well-Being Webinar Series for Brandeis employees. Seminars will be held every Wednesday from 12:15 to 1 p.m. on the Zoom platform. This series is free and open to all employees, not just Tufts Health Plan members. No registration required.
See information on upcoming webinars
Wellness Program
Brandeis University is pleased to offer employees access to an online health portal as part of the Health You wellness program for 2021. Between January 1 and December 15, 2021 all employees can access the health portal to participate in multiple activities, tools, and resources that will help you set, track, and achieve your personal wellness goals. The more activities you complete, the more credits you will earn which will increase your opportunities to be entered into the raffles for great prizes.
Wellness program registration information
All employees are encouraged to participate in the Healthy You wellness program. Everyone will be entered into the four raffles as noted below.
- Earn 10 credits by April 2021 and be entered in Raffle #1 -Congratulations to winner Angela Gutchess!
- Earn 20 credits by July 2021 and be entered in Raffle #2
- Earn 30 credits by October 2021 and be entered in Raffle #3
- Earn 40 or more credits by December 15, 2021 and be entered in Raffle #4
Other Benefits
The list of benefits keeps going: ATMs, a credit union, parking and more!
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ATMs are located in the Shapiro Campus Center lounge (Citizens Bank) and in the basement of the Usdan Student Center, outside the university print shop (Santander Bank).
Metro Credit Union allows employees to save, borrow, obtain a VISA card or use a variety of other available banking services. Transactions are processed through payroll deductions. Enrollment forms are available from the HR benefits unit.
Brandeis offer its community a world-class dining program, featuring great menu variety, the highest quality products and service, in a relaxed setting.
Employees may have their paychecks deposited directly into up to three different checking and/or savings accounts. Enroll online through Workday (login req.) or contact the payroll office.
Free parking is available to all employees who operate or park a motor vehicle (automobile, truck, motorcycle, motor scooter or motor bike) on university property. Vehicles must display a valid permit, which are available from the Department of Public Safety.