Benefits Available to State of Wisconsin Employees
The fringe benefits offered to State of Wisconsin employees are significant, and are a
valuable part of an individual's compensation package. The fringe benefits may vary
somewhat between employee groups based on: occupational status (i.e., protective,
executive, general); whether or not the employees are covered by a collective bargaining
agreement; and, percentage of full-time employment.
The benefits available are:
RETIREMENT: Employees are covered immediately under the Wisconsin Retirement
System. Vested employee-required contributions, approximately 5% of an employee's
earnings, are made by the State on behalf of the employee. The State pays another 5-10%,
depending upon the employee's occupational status, toward the non-vested employer-required
contribution.
VACATION: Vacation is earned from the first day of employment, but cannot
be used until the employee has six months classified service. Full-time employees
earn vacation based on the following table. Less than full-time employees earn vacation
on a pro-rated basis.
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Employee status under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
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| Years of Service |
Non-Exempt Hours Earned
Each Year |
Exempt* Hours Earned Each Year |
| During first 5 |
104 |
120 |
| 5+ to 10 |
144 |
160 |
| 10+ to 15 |
160 |
176 |
| 15+ to 20 |
184 |
200 |
| 20+ to 25 |
200 |
216 |
| 25 and Over |
216 |
216 |
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* Some Exempt employees do not follow this table.
Please contact the Bureau of Personnel and Employment Relations for specific
position information.
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PERSONAL HOLIDAYS: Employees are granted up to 36 hours (4 1/2 days)
of personal holiday time each year.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS: Employees have nine paid legal holidays per year:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King's Birthday (Third Monday in January)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Eve Day (December 24)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- New Year's Eve Day (December 31)
SICK LEAVE: Sick leave is earned at the rate of five hours per
bi-weekly pay period. Less than full-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Maximum sick leave earned is five hours per bi-weekly pay period. Unused sick leave accumulates
from year to year. Upon retirement, unused sick leave, including a certain amount matched by
the State, may be converted to credits to pay health insurance premiums.
HEALTH INSURANCE: A variety of Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred
Provider Plans, and fee-for-service health providers offer coverage. Employees may obtain
coverage within one month of starting work, but the State contribution toward premium is not
effective until after six months of State employment under the Wisconsin Retirement System.
LIFE INSURANCE: After six months of coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System,
an employee may have group term life insurance coverage in an amount up to five times his/her
annual salary. The State contributes approximately 20% of the premium. Employees may
also secure coverage for their spouse (up to $20,000) and dependents (up to $10,000 each).
INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE: After six months of coverage in the Wisconsin
Retirement System, employees are eligible for income continuation insurance. This benefit
ensures that individuals will receive up to 75% of their gross salary for physical or
mental disabilities. State contribution, which can range from 0% to 100%, is contingent
upon an employee's accrual and use of sick leave.
EPIC (CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE): Excess medical, accidental death and dismemberment,
and dental coverage are features of this insurance. Employees are responsible for the entire
premium.
DENTAL INSURANCE: Some dental coverage is included in many of the group health
insurance plans and the catastrophic insurance plan. Many unions offer separate dental
coverage to their membership.
VISION CARE INSURANCE: This program provides affordable, quality vision care
services. Employees pay the full premium on a pre-tax basis.
LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE: This insurance covers short-term and long-term home
health care, assisted living, community-based care, and nursing home care. The plan is
available only to State employees and annuitants, including their spouse, parents, and
spouse's parents. Employees pay the full premium.
EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS PROGRAM: This program allows employees to
pay eligible medical and dependent care expenses from pre-tax rather than post-tax income.
In addition, premiums for State group health, catastrophic, and life insurance (excluding
spouse and dependent life insurance coverage) may be treated as pre-tax deductions.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program allows
eligible employees an opportunity to save pre-tax earnings to supplement retirement income.
Participants are allowed to defer earnings up to $15,500 in 2007.
Currently, there are twenty-two core investment options available to participants.
These options include two fixed interest options, three commingled funds and twelve
mutual funds, five lifecycle funds, and a self-directed brokerage option. Investment
choices range from conservative to aggressive and include both actively managed and
index funds.
COMMUTER BENEFITS PROGRAM: This program allows employees to pay eligible
parking, mass transit and van pooling expenses from pre-tax rather than post-tax income.
WORKER'S COMPENSATION: All employees are covered by the State of Wisconsin
Worker's Compensation Law the day they start employment. The law covers both mental and
physical harm from either accidents or occupational diseases.
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy
Last Revised: December 19, 2007
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