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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER: G - 26 GENERAL ORDER REVIEWED: RESCINDED: SUBJECT: Employee Benefits EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994 REVISED: September 23, 2022 Table of Contents: I. Purpose II. General III. Employee Benefits Group Insurance Coverage Retirement Benefits Employee Assistance Program Payroll Distribution Professional Liability Protection IV. Employee Programs Blood Bank Employee Newsletter In-House Training and Career Development Training and Conferences Professional Licenses and Membership Policy V. Educational Assistance Program VI. Issuance of Photographic Identification for purposes of 18 USC Section 926C I. PURPOSE: To provide reasonable compensation, benefits, assurances, and safeguards to employees, the Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive package that includes salary compensation, benefits and educational initiatives. II. GENERAL: Information included in this policy is not to be construed as automatic approval. Each benefit and program has established procedures for signup or application and is subject to recommendation and/or approval, available funds and other factors. III. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: A. Group Insurance Coverage: 1. Group Health Insurance: a. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office provides full-time employees with 100% GENERAL ORDER Employee Benefits GO # 26 PAGE 1 OF 12\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nemployer paid group health coverage for the employee. b. Group health insurance coverage is effective the first day of the month following 30 calendar days of employment. c. Benefit levels and premium costs are determined by the Sheriff’s Office and are subject to change on an annual basis. d. Employees should refer to the Certificate of Coverage for limitations and benefit details. e. Employees may opt out of health insurance coverage upon initial hire or during open enrollment provided they have proof of other insurance coverage. f. Employees may elect to cover their eligible dependents. Premiums for dependents are paid as established annually through payroll deduction on a bi-monthly basis with a significant portion of the premium paid by the Sheriff’s Office. g. Employees may add or delete spouse and/or dependent coverage at any time during the year provided there is a qualifying event. A qualifying event includes, but is not limited to, marriage, divorce or separation, death, birth of a child, adoption of a child, designation by the court as a legal guardian of a child or change in spouse’s employment. These changes can only be made within 30 days of the qualifying event. Additions or deletions to spouse and/or dependent coverage can also be made during open enrollment. h. Although insurance carriers allow employees 30 days to make the decision on adding spouse and/or dependent coverage due to a qualifying event, the premium is due on the first day of the month in which coverage was eligible. For example, if an employee marries on November 6, the premium would be due on December 1. If an employee marries on October 25, the premium would be due on November 1. 2. Dental Insurance Coverage: a. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office provides full-time employees with 100% employer paid dental insurance for the employee. Employees have the option to buy up to a premium plan at an additional cost and/or cover their qualified dependents. b. Employees may add or delete coverage anytime during the year provided there is a qualifying event. A qualifying event includes, but is not limited to, marriage, divorce or separation, death, birth of a child, adoption of a child, designation by the court as a legal guardian of a child, or changes in spouse’s employment. These changes can only be made within 30 days of the qualifying event. Additions or deletions to coverage can also be made during open enrollment. c. Benefit levels and premium costs are determined by the Sheriff’s Office and are subject to change on an annual basis. d. Employees should refer to the Certificate of Coverage for limitations and benefit details. 3. Life Insurance Benefits: GENERAL ORDER Employee Benefits GO # 26 PAGE 2 OF 12\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\na. The Sheriff’s Office provides group life insurance for full-time employees at no cost. The amount of coverage is one-times the employee's annual salary. Benefits are payable regardless if death occurs during an off-duty or on-duty status. Employees should refer to the Certificate of Coverage for limitations and benefit details. b. The Sheriff's Office provides accidental death benefits to full time employees at no cost. The amount of coverage is one-times the annual salary for accidental death. Benefits are payable regardless if the death occurs during an off-duty or on- duty status. Employees should refer to the Certificate of Coverage for limitations and benefit details. c. Pursuant to Chapter 112, Florida Statutes, additional death benefits are provided to law enforcement officers as defined in Chapter 943, Florida Statutes, for in-line- of-duty deaths. Benefits are payable if the death is a result of an intentional act, as a result of fresh pursuit or is a result of a work related accident. Benefit levels are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price-Index. d. The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act, administered by the United States Department of Justice, provides coverage to eligible survivors of a law enforcement or corrections officer (serving in a paid or unpaid capacity) whose death is a direct and proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. The level of the benefit is adjusted annually and is determined by the United States Department of Justice. e. Full time employees may participate in additional life insurance programs the Sheriff's Office makes available through payroll deduction, however, coverage is at the employee's option and expense. Typical policies cover additional insurance above and beyond what is provided to an employee by the Sheriff’s Office. Full time employees may signup or make changes to these programs at any time, subject to the approval of the carrier. 4. Long Term Disability Insurance: a. The Sheriff’s Office provides long term disability insurance benefits for full-time employees at no cost to the employee. Benefits provide income protection in the event an employee becomes disabled (on or off duty) and is unable to work for an extended period of time. Employees should refer to the Certificate of Coverage for limitations and benefit details. b. Full-time employees have the option to purchase additional long term disability coverage above what the Sheriff’s Office provides. Coverage is at the employee’s option and expense. Full-time employees may sign up or make changes to this plan at any time, subject to the approval of the carrier. c. Full-time employees may participate in optional short-term disability insurance programs that the Sheriff's Office makes available to employees. Coverage is at the employee's option and expense. Full-time employees may sign up or make changes to these programs at any time, subject to the approval of the carrier. 5. Optional Group Coverage Programs: a. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office offers a variety of worksite group coverage GENERAL ORDER Employee Benefits GO # 26 PAGE 3 OF 12\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nbenefits such as Vision, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Insurance that allow full-time employees to obtain coverage at their option and at affordable group rates. B. Retirement Benefits: 1. FICA/Medicare (Social Security): a. All employees (full and part-time) are mandated by law for participation in the Social Security Federal Insurance Contributors Act (social security) and Medicare. b. The cost of this benefit is incurred partially by the Sheriff's Office and partially by the employee on a 50% - 50% basis. The amount of the contribution varies (employer contribution and employee payroll deduction) depending upon an employee's wages and the current Federal requirements. c. In