VCOM Faculty Handbook

Please keep in mind that each employee enrolled in the flexible benefit plan is responsible for maintaining and submitting the necessary documentation as well as submission of claims. The Human Resources Director can assist employees with any questions.

Group Life and Disability Insurance All full-time VCOM employees participate in the group life insurance plan. Coverage will begin with the first full month of employment. VCOM provides this coverage at no cost to the employee. However, the cost of any life insurance over $50,000 is currently taxable income to employees. VCOM reports the benefit as taxable income. This plan provides life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance during active employment. Specific benefits are: life insurance without a medical examination; indemnity for accidental death; dismemberment payments for accidental loss of one or more limbs, or eyesight; and natural death benefits. The amount of your coverage is twice the employee’s annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand. For example, if an employee’s salary is $35,200 annually, when doubled it is $70,400. Rounded to the next highest thousand it becomes $71,000 paid at time of natural death. For employees over the age of 65 years, the death benefit is reduced. Employees should review the life insurance booklets provided at the time of employment for further information. When individuals are first employed with VCOM, they will be asked to name a beneficiary for this life insurance coverage. Should an employee decide to change this information at any time, they should notify the Human Resources Director. All eligible employees are enrolled in the school’s Short-Term Disability as well as Long-Term Disability coverage. These benefits are provided at no cost to the employee. For more details, contact the VCOM Human Resources Director. The life insurance provider is periodically reviewed by VCOM and is subject to change. Employee Educational Aid Program The Employee Educational Aid Program is designed to support the professional development and continued education of eligible employees by offering reimbursement for approved coursework related to their current role or career advancement within VCOM. Under this program, employees may receive financial reimbursement for tuition and required course-related fees upon successful completion of pre-approved academic courses from an accredited institution of higher education. The program was established for reimbursed coursework to be completed through VCOM’s partner institutions (Virginia Tech, Auburn University, the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM), Bluefield University, and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy). The program enables employees to pursue individual courses or degree programs aligned with their current role or future career opportunities within the College. However, when the employee wishes to enroll in coursework or a degree program that is either not offered by VCOM’s educational partners or that better aligns with the employee and College’s needs, the employee may still apply to participate in the program. To be eligible for educational aid, the employee must meet all of the following criteria: • Employees must be full-time, working a minimum of 32 hours a week; • Employees must be employed for a minimum of 12 months or have as a part of their initial employment a written agreement for educational aid if prior to 12 months of employment; and • The coursework or degree program must be job-related.

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