Frequently Asked Questions:
Bridging Policy
Q: When is the new bridging policy in effect?
A: The new bridging policy is in effect July 1, 1998.
Q: Who is eligible for the bridging policy?
A: Staff who meet all of the following three requirements will retain the hire date in effect during their previous consecutive service: (a) the gap in regular or term employment does not exceed one year, (b) the staff member has completed at least two consecutive years of regular or term service immediately prior to the last separation, and (c) the gap in regular or term employment must have begun after the effective date of this policy (7/1/98).
Q: Is the bridging policy retroactive?
A: No. The effective date of the policy is July 1, 1998, and to be eligible for "bridging," the staff member must meet the three requirements listed above.
Q: When considering eligibility for the bridging policy, does temporary service count?
A: No. Temporary positions are not counted when determining whether two years of service has been completed.
Q: What benefits are bridged with this policy?
A: Staff who meet eligibility requirements and who have already satisfied applicable waiting periods for medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance will not be required to satisfy a new waiting period under this policy.
Q: During the time I am not working at Vanderbilt, can I submit claims to Vanderbilt?
A: You need to check. The ability to submit claims is covered by the summary plan description. Please consult with Benefits (322-8330) for information regarding COBRA and the summary plan description.
Q: What benefits are not bridged with this policy?
A: Staff and their spouses are eligible to participate in educational assistance programs if the staff member has been full-time (30 or more hours per week) for three months before course registration. Staff are eligible to receive tuition benefits for dependent children after having been a full-time staff member for the immediate past five continuous years at Vanderbilt (or any other accredited college or university), within three months of joining (or returning) to Vanderbilt.
Sick leave is not bridged and the balance of sick leave is forfeited at termination.
The Health Reimbursement Account and the Flexible Spending Account are not bridged.
Q: Does prior service count in determining vacation time?
A: Yes. Prior service counts for eligibility for vacation.
Q: How does the bridging policy affect the retirement plan?
A: The Retirement Plan for faculty and staff is governed by the Vanderbilt University Retirement plan. A summary of the terms and provisions of the plan may be found in the summary plan description (SPD) and is promulgated in accordance with applicable laws. The summary plan description will be provided upon request through Human Resources or may be found on the Web site.
Q: How will my service award be affected if I leave and return to work at Vanderbilt?
A: Service award anniversary eligibility is determined by the hire date in effect during the previous consecutive service. Human Resource Services will screen the work history of new hires or work-status change dates to determine periods of previous service and will adjust hire dates and service award longevity according to this policy.
Q: When I return to work, will I return at the same salary as when I left?
A: Not necessarily—it depends on the position into which you are hired. The rate of pay for any person is determined by the applicable salary administration guidelines.
Q: Will I be required to complete another orientation period when I return?
A: Yes. Staff are required to complete an orientation period, which is 3 months for hourly-paid staff and 6 months for exempt staff.
Q: Who do I call for additional information about the bridging policy?
A: Several resources are available to you: for questions regarding benefits, call the Benefits Office at 322-8330; for questions regarding your years of prior service or work history, call Human Resource Records Management at 322-8310; for questions regarding re-employment at Vanderbilt, call Recruitment and Staffing at 322-8300 or Vanderbilt Temporary Services at 322-8299; and for questions regarding the administration of this policy, call Employee Relations at 322-7259.
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to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
HR Express 2525 West End Ave Suite 218 Nashville TN 37203 Hours M-F 7:30 - 5:30 Last Updated: November 24, 2009 |
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