Benefits Matrix

A WPI employee may request a disability accommodation, a religious accommodation, or a lactation accommodation if any of these are needed to perform a job effectively. The employee will work with his or her supervisor and with the Division of Talent & Inclusion to find mutually acceptable solutions that comply with all state and federal regulations. See the Forms page for any necessary Accommodations Requests forms.

Disability Accommodation

The University complies with federal and state disability regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Qualified applicants or employees who inform the University that they have a physical or mental disability, which requires accommodation in order for them to perform the essential functions of their jobs should inform Talent & Inclusion so that we can together discuss what accommodations are available and appropriate.
Procedure for reasonable accommodation requests:

• Employee advises Talent & Inclusion and their supervisor of the need for accommodation. 
• Employee completes a Request for Accommodation form and provides it to his or her supervisor.
• The accommodation request will be discussed with the employee and the employee’s manager(s) along with a member of the Talent & Inclusion department. 
• The employee may be required to provide documentation supporting a disability, including medical certification.
• If a reasonable appropriate accommodation is readily available, the request will be approved and the accommodation implemented.
• If an accommodation is not readily ascertainable, the matter will be pursued further with assistance from appropriate external resources.

 
WPI will consider the request but reserves the right to offer its own accommodation to the extent permitted by law. WPI will consider cost, the effect that an accommodation will have on current established policies and the burden on operations, including other employees, when determining a reasonable accommodation.
 

Religious Accommodation

WPI is dedicated to treating the religious diversity of all our employees equally and with respect. Employees may request an accommodation when their religious beliefs cause a deviation from WPI’s dress code, schedule, basic job duties, or other aspects of employment. The University will consider the request but reserves the right to offer its own accommodation to the extent permitted by law. Accommodations may include but are not limited to changes in current job conditions, a change in position, an exception to the dress code, paid/unpaid leave time, etc. The University will consider cost, the effect that an accommodation will have on current established policies and the burden on operations, including other employees, when determining a reasonable accommodation. At no time will WPI question the validity of a person’s belief. Religious accommodation request forms are available on-line or through the Office of Talent & Inclusion.

Employees have access to bereavement leave of varying lengths in the event of a death in the employee’s immediate or extended family.

WPI has established a relationship with First Friends, an early care and educational center near campus for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.

Eligible employees may receive benefits mandated through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), a federal law. COBRA contains provisions that mandate the continuation of employer-sponsored health insurance under specific circumstances.

Employees may access varying dental insurance benefits based on their hours worked per year.

The university provides short-term and long-term disability income protection to eligible employees when they miss work due to a non-work-related disability.

WPI employees scheduled to work 1,450 hours or more and who have completed their introductory period are eligible for paid time off for their own medical and dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of normal working hours or during the lunch hour.

WPI extends some benefits, including health insurance and tuition assistance, to defined domestic partners of employees.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides WPI employees and their household members a no-cost, confidential benefit to help resolve problems or challenges in their personal or work lives.

The WPI Sports & Recreation Center is available at no cost to current employees and retirees of WPI. A small membership fee is charged for spouses.

Employees may have access to a Flexible Benefit Plan. This federal tax shelter is a flexible spending account for paying health and dental insurance premiums, uninsured medical, dental and optical expenses, and dependent care expenses for IRS dependents.

Employees scheduled to work 28 hours a week or 1456 hours or more during the fiscal year have access to a variety of healthcare plans.

In addition to paid holidays, employees may select two personal holidays to be taken during the fiscal year, with supervisor approval.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons (up to 26 weeks to care for a military service member injured in the line of duty).

Voluntary legal service, including telephone and office consultations, legal representation, estate planning financial matters, real estate transactions, civil lawsuits, and more is available to employees for a fee.

Employees scheduled to work 1,450 hours or more during the fiscal year are eligible for life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance beginning on the first day of the month following their date of hire.

Employees working at least 800 hours per fiscal year are eligible to purchase Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance and various other life insurance options.

Employees who have long service with WPI are recognized at five-year intervals that begin with the completion of the first five-year period. At 15 years and every five-year anniversary after that, an extra week of vacation accrual is added for the following fiscal year.

Employees working at least 800 hours per fiscal year are eligible to purchase Long-Term Care insurance for themselves and eligible family members.

In accordance with the amended Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (MMLA), any employee who has been employed for at least three (3) consecutive months is entitled to up to eight (8) weeks of either paid or non-paid parental leave.

Full-time employees in the reserve branches of the Armed Forces or National Guard units required to attend two weeks active training on an annual basis shall be granted military leave for such training upon the presentation of military orders.

Free parking in our garage and other designated lots is available to all employees. Campus police will issue a WPI parking permit.

Unpaid personal leave may be granted upon approval and after all paid time off is exhausted.

Employees are eligible to participate in WPI’s retirement plan. After one year of employment, employees contribute 5 percent of their base salary and WPI contributes 9.5 percent in an annual calculation.

The GSRA is an alternative tax sheltered annuity for eligible employees who want to set aside funds in addition to the amount being accumulated under the university's retirement plan.

Employees are eligible for sick days to provide income in the event that a non-work related personal illness or injury prevents an employee from performing his/her job.

Any non-exempt (hourly), non-union employee who has any unused sick time in excess of 20 days accumulation at the end of the fiscal year may have excess unused sick days exchanged for “personal” days at a two-for-one rate.

All WPI employees are entitled to 24 hours of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to attend to certain family obligations In accordance with the Small Necessities Leave Act.

Social Security (FICA)/Medicare (MQFE) is applicable to all employees. Employees and the university contribute equal amounts of tax on the statutory base earnings.

Employees who travel as part of their job will be covered under WPI's travel accident insurance. The amount of coverage is dependent upon the position held.

Eligible WPI employees and their families can access WPI’s Tuition Assistance Plan for undergraduate and graduate tuition costs.

Eligible employees may access WPI’s Tuition Assistance program or the Tuition Exchange Program that allows tuition waivers at other institutions in a national scholarship exchange program.

The university pays the entire cost of the Unemployment Insurance Program. Benefits for unemployed workers in Massachusetts are provided under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act and Massachusetts Unemployment Compensation Law.

The university complies with applicable federal and state law regarding military leave and re-employment rights in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (with amendments) and all applicable state laws.

Employees are eligible for varying amounts of paid vacation time under WPI’s generous vacation policy.

WPI offers several health and wellness programs on campus including lunchtime fitness programs (cardio, yoga, dance), stress-relieving massage, and intramural sports.

The Worcester Art Museum's Institutional Membership Program provides WPI staff and faculty members and students with free admission to the museum during regular hours. WPI ID is required for admission.

The Workers' Compensation Law of Massachusetts provides financial benefits for employees who have a work-related injury or illness. Medical expenses for injuries occurring on the job and some of the employee’s salary for lost time are paid by this insurance.