FAQs

 

Employment

Applying for a Job

Q.  How do I apply for a job?
A.  All applications must be done using the online application system. If you do not have access to a computer, you can use the computer kiosk located in the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  What are the salaries for the different pay grades?
A.  Non-Exempt salary ranges are posted right on the job posting.  Exempt position salaries are determined according to local and national benchmarking. Inquiries about salaries for specific exempt positions should be made directly to the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  How do I know you received my application?
A.  Once your application is complete, you should receive a confirmation number for your submission.  If you do not get a confirmation, you can call the Office of Human Resources and we will check the system to make sure your application came through.

Q.  How do I attach other documents to my application that are requested for a position?
A.  Documents can be attached by selecting documents from a storage device or from your computer and attached to your application, or the content of the documents can be cut and pasted into the fields provided when the PeopleAdmin system prompts you to submit your documents.

Q.  What is the status of my application? 
A.  You may check on the status of your application for any position by logging into the PeopleAdmin account you created when you applied.  You will be able to look at your application and find out where it is in the review process.

Q.  Will I be notified if I am not selected for a position?
A.  Yes.  All candidates are notified by either phone or email if they are not selected for a position.

Q.  What benefits does WPI offer to employees?
A.  WPI offers its employees a very comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid vacation, sick time, personal time, and holidays, tuition remission, and flexible spending accounts.  title="benefits">View a complete summary of our benefits.

Q.  How do I get to the WPI Campus?
A.  Visit our website for directions to campus.  

Q.  How will I know where to park on campus when I come for an interview or on my first day of employment?
A.  View our campus map for information on where to go when you arrive on campus.

Q.  How do I get computer accounts set up for a new employee?
A.  The department where the new employee is going to work needs to fill out a Request for CCC Accounts form and send it to the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  How long do I have to be in a position before I can apply for a different position on campus?
A.  Generally, employees are required to be in their position for one year before being considered for another position on campus.

 

Payroll

Q.  Is there a way for me to see my pay stubs for previous months online?
A.  Yes, by logging onto the Banner Web for Employees and clicking on the Employee tab .

Q.  What is an I9 form?  Why do I need to fill one out?
A.  An I9 form is a form required by the federal government.  It verifies that you are eligible to work in the United States.  Without a completed I9 form, we cannot pay employees.

Q.  What documents can be presented to HR when I come in to fill out an I9?
A.  A list of the acceptable documents to present at HR when you come in to fill out an I9 can be found on the electronic copy of the I9 form posted on the Department of Homeland Security web page.

Q.  Do federally-funded, work- study positions require an I9 form?
A.  No.  Work-study positions do not require an I9 because employment eligibility verification for students granted federal work-study has already been completed by the FAFSA form.

Q.  When should I submit my time sheet?
A.  At the end of each two-week period preceding a pay day.

Q.  Where will I pick up my first paycheck?
A.  Direct deposit is required for everyone being paid on campus, but all first checks are a live check that must be picked up at the Payroll Office on the 2nd floor of Boynton Hall.

Q.  How do I change my tax status?
A.  You can do this by filling out new tax forms at the Payroll Office on the 2nd floor of Boynton Hall.

Q. How do I make changes to the accounts where my paycheck is deposited?
A. You can do this by filling out a new direct deposit form at the Payroll Office on the 2nd floor of Boynton Hall.

 

Health and Dental

Q.  How do new employees enroll in benefits?
A.  New employees will be asked to fill out a Benefits Enrollment Form during their New Employee Orientation during their first week of work at WPI.  These forms must be completed and returned to the Office of Human Resources within 30 days of the new employee’s first day of employment.

Q.  What happens if I lose my health or dental card?  Can I order additional health insurance/dental insurance cards?
A.  Yes, to order new medical cards, call the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care customer service phone number:  +1-888-333-4742.  For dental cards, call Altus Dental at 877-223-0588.  

Q.  How do I add dependents to my health insurance?
A.  Dependents can be added to your insurance when you first become eligible for coverage, during the annual open enrollment period, or if there is a qualifying event. To add dependents to your health insurance, you must fill out a new Benefits Enrollment form in the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  When can I add health/dental insurance? 
A.  You can only add health and dental insurance during open enrollment or if you have experienced a “qualifying event” (i.e. birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce, etc).

Q.  When can I drop health/dental insurance?
A.  You can drop health/dental insurance at any time.

Q.  When is open enrollment, and what happens during this time?
A.  Open enrollment at WPI traditionally takes place during the month of April.  It is the one time of year when existing employees who have not experienced a qualifying event can make changes to their health and dental benefits and their flexible spending accounts.  Any changes made during open enrollment go into effect on July 1st.

Q.  How does WPI’s health insurance work with Medicare for employees who are over the age of 65?
A.  If you are employed by WPI and you are 65 or older, you are eligible for Medicare, and if you elect the WPI health insurance, the WPI health insurance will act as your primary health insurance.

General

Q.  What is an EAP and what services do they provide?
A.  An EAP is an Employee Assistance Program.  It is a free, confidential counseling referral service that WPI employees can use for anything from mental health counseling to financial counseling to legal counseling.  It is a wonderful resource for finding solutions to problems employees may be encountering in their personal lives.  WPI’s EAP is the Wellness Corporation, and they can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1-800-828-6025.

Q.  Can I get car or homeowners insurance through WPI?
A.  WPI has a relationship with Sullivan, Garrity, and Donnelly, a local insurance company, and they offer reduced rates on homeowners and auto insurance to WPI employees.

Q.  What is an Ombudsperson?
A.  An ombudsperson is someone that employees can go to when they need help resolving a work related conflict they.  They are another resource that can be used on campus other than the Office of Human Resources.  The Ombudsperson on the WPI campus has undergone special training, and will remain impartial and confidential.  WPI's Ombudsperson is Liz Tomaszewski. 

Flexible Spending Accounts

Q.  What is a flexible spending account?
A. Flexible spending accounts allow you to put pre-taxed money away to pay for qualified medical and dependent care expenses.

Q.  Why would I want to use a flexible spending account?
A.  The main benefit of using a flexible spending account is that it lowers an employee’s taxable wages for the year.

Q.  Where can I get a list of reimbursable medical expenses?
A.  The TASC website has a comprehensive list of reimbursable expenses.  . 

Training and Development

Q.  What mandatory trainings are employees required to attend?
A.  All employees must complete WPI's sexual harassment prevention tutorial, as well as "Excellence in Service the WPI Way", the on-campus customer service training program.  Links and registration can be found on the Training and Development (links to Training and Development landing page on HR site) section of the HR website.

Q.  How do I register for "Excellence in Service the WPI Way?"
A.  You can do so online by visiting the Training and Development (links to Training and Development landing page on HR site) section of the HR website, or by calling Beth Mulvey in the Office of Human Resources, at +1-508-831-5146

Q.  How do I access WPI's sexual harassment prevention tutorial?
A.  A link to the tutorial can be found on the Training and Development (links to Training and Development landing page on HR site) section of the HR website.  It can be accessed from any computer with internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q.  What should I do if I need training in an area that isn’t provided through WPI Human Resources?
A.  Contact Beth Mulvey at +1-508-831-5146 and discuss what you are looking for.  She will be happy to do the research necessary to find you the training you need.

Tuition Remission

Q.  When can employees take advantage of the tuition assistance benefit for themselves?
A.  Employees are eligible to take advantage of the tuition benefit after completing three years of continuous service.

Q.  When are children and spouses or domestic partners of employees eligible for the tuition benefit?
A.  Children and spouses or domestic partners of WPI employees are eligible for the on-campus tuition benefit after the employee has completed three years of service.  Children of WPI employees are eligible for the off-campus benefit after the employee has completed three years of service.

Q. What forms will I need to fill out when I am using the tuition benefit?
A. Please visit our forms page to print out the appropriate form, depending on whether you are using the tuition benefit for yourself, your spouse/domestic partner, or a dependent child.

Q.  What is the Tuition Exchange Program?
A.  The Tuition Exchange Program is a national scholarship exchange program that children of WPI employees can apply for after the employee has completed three years of service at WPI.  Colleges and universities who participate in this program have agreed to grant tuition scholarships for participants from other member institutions.  The WPI program is done using a lottery.  If you would like more detailed information on the Tuition Exchange Program, visit our website, or contact the Office of Human Resources or the Office of Financial Aid directly.

Retirement Plan

Q.  How can I make an appointment to speak with our Investment Advisors from TIAA-CREF or Fidelity?
Both TIAA CREF and Fidelity have representatives that visit the campus on a regular basis. To schedule an appointment with one of the investment advisors, simply call the toll free number listed below and they can assist you with the dates and times that are available.
A. TIAA CREF - +1-800-842-2776, Fidelity -  +1-800-642-7131 

Q.  When can I start contributing to WPI’s retirement account?
A.  All employees are welcome to contribute to the supplemental annuity (which does not include a match from WPI) at any time. After you have been employed for 1 year you will be eligible to participate in the regular annuity (which includes matching funds from WPI). Employees who are coming directly from another employer where they were already participating in a 403B plan may waive the one year waiting period to participate in the regular annuity . 

Q.  What’s the difference between the regular annuity and the supplemental annuity?
A. A regular annuity at WPI is eligible for the employer matching funds; a supplemental annuity is where you would direct additional retirement funds up to the IRS annual limits.

Q.  What is the maximum I can contribute to my retirement account per year?
A.  The IRS maximum as of January 1st  is $16,500 per year. For individuals over the age of 50, the IRS does allow for a catch-up contribution of an additional $5,500 annually.

Q.  How do I make changes to the amount of money taken out of my pay for my retirement account?
A.  If you wish to change the amount of money taken out of your pay for your retirement account, you must complete a Salary Reduction Authorization form online or you may obtain a form in the Office of Human Resources..

Q.  What are the phone numbers for TIAA CREF and Fidelity?
A.  TIAA CREF - +1-800-842-2776, Fidelity - +1-800-642-7131

Q.  How much does WPI contribute to my retirement account?
A.  WPI contributes 6% on the first $10,800 employees earn in a fiscal year, and 11% beyond that.  These amounts recalculate on July 1st each year.

Q.  If I have an existing retirement account from a previous employer, can I roll it over into my WPI plan?
A.  Yes.  The WPI plan accepts rollovers from other qualified plans.  You can discuss your rollover options with one of our investment advisors by scheduling an appointment to meet with them when they are on campus providing monthly consultation appointments.

Retiring from WPI

Q:  How much notice should I ideally give my department for my retirement and what should I do to prepare my department for my retirement?
A:  The answer to this question varies depending on the position you hold and the circumstances surrounding your retirement, but in general it is advisable to give as much notice as you possibly can if you are planning to retire.  Historically the Office of Human Resources has had some employees give up to a year’s worth of notice prior to their retirement.  Obviously the more time you can give, the better, as it gives you the opportunity to settle personal, benefit-related business, and it gives your department the opportunity to hire and train your replacement while you are still working.

Q.  Is there any paperwork I must submit to Human Resources when I decide to retire from WPI?
A:  Once you have finalized your retirement plan, please submit a letter of intent to the Office of Human Resources that outlines your intention to retire and your final day of employment at WPI.  Based on the information provided in your letter of intent, you will be contacted by the Office of Human Resources to schedule a Benefits Transition Meeting prior to your last day or employment.

Q:  What benefits am I eligible for after I retire from WPI?
A:  Upon retirement you would have the option to continue your health insurance through COBRA and your life insurance, if you wish to.  Many of the optional benefits available to active employees have conversion options for retirees as well.  These will be discussed with you during your Benefits Transition Meeting with the Benefits Administrator in the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  When can I access my Social Security monies?
A.  You can start collecting partial payments from Social Security at the age of 62.  You will not be eligible to receive your entire monetary benefit from Social Security until you reach full retirement age, as defined by the Social Security Administration according to the year you were born.  For more details on this, please visit the Social Security Administration website.

Q.  Can I continue to work on a part-time, temporary basis for WPI after I retire?
A.  Yes, depending on the needs of the university.  However, depending on your age at the time you retire, your social security benefits may be impacted if you continue to work.

Q.  What do I need to do to access the money I have saved in my retirement account?
A.  Once you have decided to retire, you should schedule an appointment with WPI’s Investment Advisor through either TIAA-CREF and/or Fidelity.  They will explain your options for accessing your retirement monies, according to the rules of your plan(s).

Q.  What happens to my group and/or supplemental life insurance policies when I retire?
A.  You will have the option to convert your policies to a non-group plan if you wish to do so.  This will be discussed with you during your Benefits Transition Meeting with the Benefits Administrator in the Office of Human Resources.

Q.  Can I keep my WPI email account after I retire from the university?
A.  Yes, if you wish to keep your WPI email account, you can do so.  Please contact the Office of Human Resources for assistance with this.

 

 

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Last modified: December 04, 2012 09:41:12