WORK SCHEDULE – Full time employees work thirty-seven and one-half (37 ½) hours in a normal work week. The work week for payroll purposes begins at twelve o’clock midnight on Wednesday of each week. The normal work day is seven and one-half (7 ½) hours. HCC employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

CREDIT UNION - All employees are eligible to join the Suncoast Federal Credit Union. An initial deposit of $5.00 and a completed membership application will open your share (savings) account and establish your lifetime membership. You may then participate in a regular savings plan by signing up for payroll deductions. Additional services include share draft checking accounts, Car Buying Service, Visa Check Card, Personal Line or Credit, etc. www.suncoastfcu.org

DENTAL COVERAGE - Two types of optional dental coverage available to employees through Safeguard Dental Plan. The College does contribute to the cost of dental coverage at 100% for employees. Coverage for dependents (family members – spouse and/or dependent children) may be purchased via payroll deduction.

DIRECT DEPOSIT – As of 1/3/05 all HCC employees MUST have direct deposit. Your direct deposit will become effective the pay period after the form is received in payroll. A form can be obtained through any bursers office, human resource, or HCC’s public folder (public folders, all public folders, human resources, payroll forms.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM - The College offers special recognition through service awards to its employees celebrating landmark anniversaries beginning with five years of service up to 30 years of service. The Employee Service Award Ceremonies are held annually at individual sites.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT / TUITION WAIVER- In order to be eligible for Tuition Reimbursement/Wavier, the employee must be full-time and working in a budgeted position at least six months prior to and at the time of commencement of classes. The employee will be allowed to take six (6) credit hours per semester. The employee’s immediate family members are also eligible for all HCC courses.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN – The amount you pay for medical dental, etc. co-pays can be paid on a pre-tax basis through the College's flexible benefits plan. The dollars you contribute for these coverage's will be deducted before federal income or social security taxes are assessed. Changes in coverage may only be made during the annual open enrollment period, July 1 through June 30.

DEPENDENT CARE – The amount that you pay for child care expenses can be paid on a pre-tax basis through the College's flexible benefits plan. The dollars you contribute for these coverage's will be deducted before federal income or social security taxes are assessed. Changes in coverage may only be made during the annual open enrollment.

HEALTH COVERAGE – Full-time, temporary-with-benefit employees may choose between specified health plans on an annual basis. Group health coverage is effective on the first of the month following of employment. There is not cost to the employee for single HMO coverage. Coverage for dependents may be purchased via payroll deduction. http://www.bcbsfl.com/

TERM LIFE INSURANCE - The College provides employees with basic life insurance in the amount of their annualized salary rounded to the next higher thousand. Additional life insurance is available.

PARKING - Free parking is provided to all employees. A parking decal may be obtained at the security office at the Dale Mabry campus.

PERSONAL LEAVE - Employees, with permission of supervisor, may take up to four days of personal leave with pay per fiscal year. These days are deducted from the employee's accrued sick leave. Personal leave is non-cumulative.

RETIREMENT PLAN - All budgeted employees are automatically enrolled in the Florida Retirement Systems (a defined benefit plan). In March of 2002, the FRS introduced a second retirement plan option — the FRS Investment Plan. The FRS Investment Plan is a defined contribution plan. The FRS Investment Plan is funded by employer contributions that are based on your salary and your FRS membership class (Regular Class, Special Risk Class, etc.). The Investment Plan directs contributions to individual member accounts, and you allocate your contributions and account balance among various investment funds (Participant contributions are not allowed). Hillsborough Community College pays the full contribution for both plans. Employees will receive information directly to their home address from the retirement system concerning the FRS Investment Plan. Eligible employees may instead elect to participate in the Optional retirement Program in lieu of participation in the Florida Retirement System. The Optional Retirement Program is a defined contribution pension plan. Each pay period, the College will contribute a percentage of your earnings to an annuity on your behalf. For more information contact - www.myfrs.com.

DROP – The Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) allows you to retire under the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan and begin accumulating your retirement benefits, without terminating employment, for up to 60 months from the date you first reach normal retirement or eligible deferral date. You will simultaneously earn a salary and a retirement income.

SHORT TERM DISABLITY – Benefits can start on the 1st day of an accident or on the 7th day of illness and will be paid regardless of any other insurance you have including paid sick leave

LONG TERM DISABILITY – In the event that a full-time employee becomes totally disabled and is unable to work, he/she may be eligible to receive Long-Term Disability benefit payments after a 90-day waiting period.

PET INSURANCE – Use any veterinarian worldwide, policy pays for prescriptions, lab fees, x-rays, surgery and hospitalization. For more information contact 800-872-7387.

DOMESTIC PARTNER – Employee benefits require that there must be a shared residence for a period of at least two (2) consecutive years, etc.

LONG TERM CARE – Long-term care plan provides benefits for home health care, assisted living and nursing home care. Benefits are available for employees, spouses, parents and in-laws.

CANCER AND CRITICAL DISEASE INSURANCE – Plan pays for treatments as well as travel expenses, etc.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – This program is available to all employees and their immediate family members. The program is designed to assist the employee in obtaining the right professional help for a variety of problems such as; alcohol & drug problems, relationship issues, stress, emotional difficulties, etc. Contact 800-523-5668 for more information.

SAVINGS BONDS - Employees may purchase U.S. Savings bonds through payroll deduction.

SICK LEAVE - Accrued at a rate of one day per month of service with no limit on accrual. Upon employment, all full-time employees are advanced (9) days of sick leave. Accumulated sick leave may be transferred from another Florida public education institution or state agency.

VACATION LEAVE (12 month employees only) - Accrued at a rate of one day per month for first five years' service, 1-1/4 days per month for 6 through 10 years service, and 1- 1/2 days per month for over ten years service in any Florida public community college. No employee shall transfer more than 44 days of vacation to the new calendar year. Vacation leave in excess of 44 days on December 31 shall be reduced to 44 days on January 1 each year.

SICK LEAVE POOL - Full-time employees are eligible to participate during the annual enrollment period after one year of employment, provided that you have then accrued at least twelve days of sick leave. The initial contribution is two days of sick leave which entitles the participant to 40 days (300 hours)for personal illness following exhaustion of sick and vacation leave.

SOCIAL SECURITY - The College contributes an amount equal to 7.65% of your annual earnings into Social Security (FICA); the employee contribution rate is 7.65%.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES - The retirement savings options known as the 403(b) and the 457(b) are available from a variety of companies.

VISION COVERAGE - Vision coverage available to employees through the Safeguard Dental and Vision. The College does not contribute to the cost of vision coverage.

2008 Holiday Schedule For Non-Faculty Employees

M. L. King’s Birthday 01/21/2008
President’s Day 2/18/2008 (Not Plant City Campus)
Strawberry Festival Day (Plant City Campus Only)
Spring Holiday 03/21/2008 – 3/28/2008
Good Friday 04/04/2008
Memorial Day 05/26/2008
July 4th 07/04/2008
Labor Day 09/01/2008
Veteran’s Day 11/11/2008
Thanksgiving/day after 11/27 & 11/28/2008
Winter Holiday 12/22/08 – 1/02/09

WORKERS' COMPENSATION - This coverage applies to all employees. Worker’s Compensation provides you with benefits if you suffer personal injury from an accident arising out of, and in the course of your employment with the College. You are covered for health expenses and a percentage of lost income due to on-the-job injury. Remember to report such injuries immediately to your supervisor and well as the security office at 7911.