Employment Benefits Program at Catholic Relief Services
By ensuring that we offer the best possible employee benefits package, Catholic Relief Services hopes to attract and maintain a workforce that will recognize the value we place on them.
The Chesapeake Family news magazine recognized CRS as one of the area's top family friendly workplaces. This is evidence of our commitment to a work/life balance environment for our employees.
The following will give you a general overview of the benefit programs offered at Catholic Relief Services:
Medical Insurance
CRS provides a Medical, Vision and Prescription expense benefit for US-based and International Staff through Aetna Global Benefits.
Health Insurance Cost Sharing
CRS believes in providing the best possible insurance coverage for our employees. We attempt to keep the employee portion of the cost sharing at a 15.5% of premium level. Below are the current rates for 2007.
| Medical Insurance | Monthly CRS Premiums | January 1, 2007 Payroll Deductions |
| Coverage Level | CRS Monthly Cost | Bi-monthly Payroll Deductions |
| Single | $315.15 | $24.43 |
| Single + 1 | $630.31 | $48.85 |
| Family | $985.92 | $76.41 |
Aetna Global Benefits
This is an international insurance company, which allows participants to seek care from the provider of their choice throughout the world. The Aetna Global Plan also allows access to a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network, which results in a significant discount. The in-network benefit has a $10 co-pay and the out-of-network benefit has a $150 calendar year deductible per individual and $300 per family. After the deductible is met, the out-of-network benefit is 80%. CRS International Staff do not have access to the PPO networks while they are overseas. For this reason, their benefit is 90% with no deductible. While in the US, International staff can either access the networks and receive the discounted benefit or use out-of-network providers in the US and receive an 80% benefit after the deductible.
Vision
Vision coverage is included under the Aetna Global Benefits Plan according to a schedule of allowances for eye exam, lenses, frames and contacts.
Prescriptions
Prescriptions are covered through a pharmacy benefit in the US with a $5 or $15 co-pay. Prescriptions filled while overseas are reimbursed through the medical plan at 90%.
Dental Insurance - Metlife
Dental coverage is part of the healthcare package. The employee and dependents are automatically enrolled in the dental plan when medical insurance is chosen. The dental plan has a $50 calendar year deductible, and preventive care is covered at 100% with no deductible. This MetLife plan is employer-paid.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Enables employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to be used for reimbursement of daycare expenses or medical/dental or vision expenses not reimbursed by the CRS Insurance Plans. Up to $5,000 per calendar year may be set aside for Dependent Care expenses and $3,000 per calendar year for Healthcare expenses.
Holidays
CRS provides 12 paid U.S. Holidays each year for all full time staff. Part time employees are entitled to the holiday if they are scheduled to work that day.
Vacation
From the date of hire until completion of 6 years of employment, employees earn 15 vacation days each year and International employees earn 20 days. On the 6th anniversary of employment, the vacation accrual increases to 20 days per year for all full time employees. After 11 years, 25 vacation days per year are earned. Part time employees have vacation prorated based on their regular work schedule. International employees earn 20 vacation days each year during the first 11 years, and this increases to 25 days after 11 years. A maximum of 15 vacation days can be carried over to the next year.
Sick Time
Employees earn 12 days per year, which may be carried over to the next year to a maximum of 180 days. Part time employees earn sick time on a prorated basis determined by their regular work schedule. Up to 6 sick days per year may be used to care for a sick dependent.
Short Term Disability
Agency-paid income benefits while an employee is temporarily disabled. Eligibility for this benefit comes after 6 months of employment and is open to regular full time and part time employees who work at least 25 hours per week. The benefit is 60% of pay up to a maximum of $5,000 per month for up to 6 months.
Long Term Disability
Agency-paid income insurance benefit. Available to Regular full time, IDFP and part time employees who work at least 25 hours per week. Following 6 months of disability, the income benefit available is 60% of pay to a maximum of $5,000 per month.
Personal Business Days
Full time regular employees earn 6 discretionary days per year, which cannot be carried over to the next year. This time is to be used for personal business which cannot be conducted outside of normal working hours.
Compassionate Leave
Up to five days available to all employees and part time employees (if it falls on a regularly scheduled workday) to attend the funeral of an immediate family member.
Maternity Leave
6-8 weeks paid maternity leave plus up to 10 days additional using available sick days. With approval, maternity leave can be extended an additional 10 weeks unpaid or using vacation days. However, a maximum total of 18 weeks is allowed. IDFP and Short Term International employees are eligible for 1 week paid leave after 6 months of employment and one additional week paid for each month of employment beyond 6 months, max 6 weeks paid maternity leave.
Parental Leave
10 days paid parental leave for new fathers and adoptive parents. IDFP and Short Term International employees are eligible for 1 day parental leave after 6 months of service and one additional day for each month of employment beyond 6 months, max 6 days paid parental leave.
Adoption Benefits
Eligible adoption-related fees may be reimbursed up to $2,500 per adoption. All full time employees are eligible for this benefit following 6 months of employment.
Basic Life Insurance
Life insurance, which provides a death benefit of two times annual salary up to a maximum benefit of $250,000 for all employees who are scheduled to work 25 hours or more per week.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Accidental death benefit of two times annual salary up to $250,000 for all employees who are scheduled to work 25 hours or more per week. This benefit is in addition to the Basic Life Insurance.
Supplemental Life
Optional additional life insurance is available. Employees may elect up to 3 times their annual salary (maximum allowed is a total of $350,000 which includes the basic life insurance + the supplemental coverage). If employees purchase coverage for themselves, they can also elect coverage for their spouse and children. The employee pays for this coverage through payroll deductions.
Travel & Accidental Death Insurance
Insurance coverage provided by CRS for employees while they are traveling on CRS business or for pleasure. The death benefit is a minimum of $100,000 and maximum $500,000. Spouses are covered for a death benefit of $100,000 and children $25,000 each.
Gateway Plus Personal & Household Belongings Insurance
CRS provides insurance coverage through a policy with a global insurance carrier. Coverage is up to $10,000 for the loss of personal belongings of International Staff while on overseas assignment. Employees can elect additional coverage from this carrier.
SOS
Medical emergency evacuation service for employees and their dependents when traveling/living overseas for CRS. SOS arranges transportation to the nearest available appropriate medical facility.
Tuition Reimbursement
CRS encourages continuing education and offers a tuition reimbursement program after 6 months of service, with some restrictions. Up to $2,200 per semester can be pre-paid for approved courses (maximum 3 courses per semester).
EAP - Employee Assistance Program
For all employees and family members, CRS provides access to Confidential Counseling, Financial & Legal Referrals and Child Care & Eldercare Referrals 1-800-765-0770 or call collect from overseas to 301-563-5489/e-mail: crsrequests@apshealthcare.com Self-help tools can be accessed at www.apshelplink.com The Company Code is CRS.
403(b) Plan
Tax Deferred Savings Plan: Regular full time and part-time employees are eligible at time of hire. After 6 months of employment, CRS puts a match into your account of 50 cents for every dollar you put in. Your contributions up to 6% of your pay will be matched. This is an ongoing match and you are immediately 100% vested.
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan: All employees age 21 and over are eligible following one year of employment and working a minimum of 1000 hours during the Plan Year. Vesting is 100% after 5 years from the date of hire. The retirement income benefit is 2% of final average earnings multiplied by years of service up to a maximum of twenty-five years. This plan is funded completely by CRS.
Retiree Medical
Following 20 years of service with CRS and retiring from CRS at age 65, US employees are eligible for a Medicare Supplement Health Insurance Benefit. This benefit provides prescription coverage and also supplements the 20% not covered under Medicare. This is fully funded by CRS.
Home Leave
CRS covers the airfare for annual home leave provided to Regular International staff. Home leave is also available to IDFP staff if they become a regular employee at the end of their one-year assignment.
Housing
Housing is available to International staff (The employee contributes 7.5% of base salary). CRS provides housing at no cost to IDFP staff.
Educational Assistance For Children
CRS provides this benefit to overseas staff.
Shipping
Assistance with shipment of belongings to overseas assignments is provided. This may be determined as a cash allowance or actual shipment depending on the employment category.
Merit Increases
On an annual basis, performance is reviewed and merit increases are granted.
The above highlights represent only a brief overview of the various benefits offered by Catholic Relief Services and does not constitute a legally binding document. CRS reserves the right to terminate, change or amend any of its policies at any time.
