UAS provides a comprehensive set of benefits for employees. Download an pdfemployee benefits summary.

Employee Medical Dental and Vision Premium Rates effective 1/1/2024 Opens in a new window

Leave and Holidays

The UAS Office employees are eligible for annual leave (vacation) by category as described below. Eligible employees are encouraged to take their earned vacation during the year in which it was earned. Eligible employees who are employed on or before the 15th of the month earn vacation at the full monthly accrual rate; eligible employees employed after the 15th do not accrue any vacation for that month. Vacation may be taken in one-hour increments; fractions of an hour are rounded to the nearest hour. Only accrued unused vacation may be taken and vacation hours or days cannot be advanced. Vacation must be approved by the employee’s supervisor before actual absence except in an emergency.

Recognized holidays occurring during vacation will not be charged to vacation time. No allowance will be made for sickness or other incapacity occurring during vacation.

  • Annual Leave

    UAS Office employees are eligible for annual leave (vacation). Exempt and non-exempt employees accrue 22 days per year at the time of employment. Employees should submit leave requests via isolved as soon as is practical. Supervisors must approve or deny leave requests before payroll processes for the period in which the leave will be taken.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Sick Leave

    Eligible employees are granted sick leave due to absences as a result of personal illness or injury, or serious illness within their immediate households to the extent of available sick leave. Immediate household includes any relative living in the employee’s home.

    All employees earn sick leave at the rate of one day for each full month worked.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Personal Days

    UA System Employees receive five personal days per fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) used at the discretion of the employee and approved by their supervisor. New employees will be prorated according to hire date.

    Personal holidays must be taken between October 1 and September 30 and are NOT accumulated or rolled over.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Paid Holidays

    UA System Office employees receive ten designated holidays each year as follows:

    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Friday following Thanksgiving
    • Christmas Eve
    • Christmas Day

    Normally, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, it shall be observed on the previous Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it shall be observed on the following Monday.

    The current year Holiday Schedule can be found on the Employee Resources Page.

Health and Wellness

The UAS Office requires all regular full-time employees to carry health insurance as a condition of employment. Waiver of this policy may be granted for those who provide evidence of substantially equivalent coverage through another group or through individual policies. Regular part-time employees with a .5 FTE or greater may enroll at their option. Temporary full-time employees also have the option to enroll, but temporary employees who work less than full time are ineligible to participate in this program.

Disability and Life Insurance

The System helps employees plan for the unexpected with sponsored group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

  • Employer-sponsored Basic Group Life and AD&D Insurance

    The ÖíÖíapp offers Employer Sponsored Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans to eligible employees. Eligible employees are automatically covered beginning their date of hire; no enrollment is necessary.

    Existing employees and participants may review current benefits or update beneficiary information in iSolved.

    To file a claim contact The Standard at (855) 757-4714, for assistance you can also contact the HR Department at (205) 348-9506.

  • Employer-sponsored Long-term Disability Insurance

    The ÖíÖíapp provides at no cost to eligible employees Long-Term Disability Insurance through The Standard. The policy provides for salary continuation at 66 2/3% of current salary, not to exceed $10,000 per month and begins on the 91st day of “total disability.†After 90 days of benefit payments, the plan changes from 66 2/3% to 60% of current salary and continues at that rate for the duration of the claim. Further information can be found below:

  • Optional Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance

    The ÖíÖíapp offers Voluntary Term Life and AD&D Insurance to eligible employees through The Standard Insurance Company. New hires will receive information regarding this benefit and be provided the opportunity to enroll during the benefits enrollment process in iSolved. 

    Existing employees and participants may review plan options, current benefits, and update beneficiary information.

    To file a claim contact The Standard at (855) 757-4714, for assistance you can also contact the HR Department at (205) 348-9506.

  • Optional Short-term Disability Insurance

    Short-term disability pays 60% of your salary if you become temporarily disabled and unable to work for a short period of time due to illness/pregnancy or accident. All full-time employees will be eligible to enroll in this post-tax, employee-paid benefit on a voluntary basis.

Retirement

All eligible employees are required by state law to participate in the Teacher's Retirement System (TRS). This defined benefit program provides retired employees with a specific benefit payable monthly for the lifetime of the member. In addition to the employee contribution, the System contributes a percentage which is determined by the Alabama Legislature. The ÖíÖíapp also offers supplemental 403(b) and 457(b) plans.

  • 401(a) Teacher's Retirement Plan

    All eligible employees are required by state law to participate in TRS. This defined benefit program provides retired employees with a specific benefit payable monthly for the lifetime of the member. In addition to the employee contribution, the System contributes a percentage which is determined by the Alabama Legislature.

    • Tier 1 Employees (those hired prior to January 1, 2013), contribute a mandatory 7.50% of their gross annual salary to TRS.
    • Tier 2 Employees (those hired on or after January 1, 2013), contribute a mandatory 6.20% of their gross annual salary to TRS.

    Further information on retirement benefits can be found in the TRS Handbook, links to these are listed below.

    Upon service retirement, employees are also eligible to join the state’s Public Education Employee Health Insurance Plan (PEEHIP). Rates for this plan vary based on years of TRS service.

    Individuals resigning from employment before vesting in the program, or before qualifying to receive benefits, may request a refund of their contributions and applicable interest.

    For more information, select from the links below:

  • 403(b) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    403(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    The ÖíÖíapp offers a 403(b) supplemental retirement plan that allows eligible employees a great way to accumulate wealth for retirement. The plan, administered by TIAA, offers convenient payroll deduction, pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and a wide variety of investment options including Roth options. The ÖíÖíapp makes a matching contribution for all regular Full-Time Exempt staff on employee contributions up to 5% of gross monthly pay. Any contributions above 5% are not matched by the System.

    TIAA

    TIAA offers a one-on-one counseling session with one of their advisors. Contact our HR Department to be directed to our representative.

    457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    The ÖíÖíapp provides a choice of 457(b) plans that allow eligible employees to defer receipt of a portion of their salary until some later date, usually at retirement or termination of employment. Contributions are made on a pretax basis and accumulate tax-free until withdrawal. Contributions to 457(b) plans may be made instead of, or in addition to, any 403(b) contributions. 457(b) Plans are not matched by the System.

    Eligible employees may participate in both 403(b) and 457(b) plans in the same year, contributing up to the maximum amounts allowed by federal law to each plan.

    You can enroll or manage your plan through .

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The ÖíÖíapp Office’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider transitions to beginning Jan. 1, 2024. The GuidanceResources platform features an enhanced provider network because ComPsych is the world’s largest provider of mental health services. Your EAP will continue to offer free and confidential counseling sessions, plus complimentary legal, financial and work-life guidance, whenever and wherever you need it.

Review the for an in-depth look at the expansive, new resources available to you.

  • Additional Employee Assistance Program Information

    What’s an Employee Assistance Program?

    Everyone has problems juggling the demands of work, family, and other obligations that combine to make life stressful. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, The ÖíÖíapp Office engages a new behavioral health care organization, GuidanceResources by ComPsych, to provide an enhanced EAP that offers access to professionally trained counselors as a resource for coping more effectively with a variety of life challenges. ComPsych maintains a worldwide network of licensed and credentialed, master-level providers. Eligible employees and dependents will have expanded access to highly-qualified counselors. Watch a to learn more about the services provided by ComPsych GuidanceResources.

    Your EAP offers confidential assessment and short-term, professional counseling services. Eligible employees and dependents may receive up to five (5) free counseling sessions per issue per year to address pressures associated with marital and family issues, grief and loss, interpersonal relationship difficulties and more. GuidanceResources Online also provides unlimited access to scheduled, telephonic counseling or coaching sessions.

    Emotional Support Services

    Your can help! The EAP is designed to provide eligible employees and their family members with resources for resolving work-related and personal problems. Personal setbacks, emotional conflicts or just the demands of daily life can affect your work, health and family. With help from your ³Ò³Ü¾±»å²¹²Ô³¦±ð¸é±ð²õ´Ç³Ü°ù³¦±ð²õ® program, they don’t have to. This UA-sponsored benefit is available to you and your family members at no cost and gives you someone to talk to when life’s challenges threaten to overwhelm you. The program is staffed by highly trained, caring clinicians who are available by phone or online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Call 1-888-283-3515 any time with personal concerns, including:

    • Stress, anxiety and depression
    • Marital and family conflicts
    • Alcohol or drug use
    • Job-related pressures
    • Dealing with change
    • Grief and loss

    The Employee Assistance Program provides a free assessment, short-term counseling (5 sessions per issue per year), and long-term referral services. Referrals are made in consultation with you if additional mental health services are needed.

    EAP services are always confidential. Information regarding you and your counseling sessions is not released to your manager or supervisor and will not be made a part of your personnel file. Watch a where ComPsych answers some questions about counseling. Only statistical data is reported to the ÖíÖíapp Office that provides a composite of the employee population served. Your right to privacy is protected within the State of Alabama and federal guidelines.

    New! Work-Life Solutions

    Get the everyday help you need. Just call your toll-free number 1-888-283-3515. The Work-Life Specialists will research your question, and, in just a few business days, send you a complete packet of practical information, including prescreened referrals, articles on your topic and much more. The materials can be delivered to you via email or second-day air.

    Call any time for assistance with topics, including:

    • Finding child or elder care
    • Relocation services, including housing searches
    • Seeking financial assistance
    • Finding pet care
    • Sending a child off to school
    • Planning a major project or event

    New! Legal Guidance

    Get the legal help you need. Just call your toll-free number 1-888-283-3515 to access unlimited, 30-minute telephonic sessions. You’ll be connected to a highly trained, caring clinician who will talk with you about your situation and schedule a phone appointment for you with one of our staff attorneys. If you need more immediate help, you can be connected to an attorney directly.

    ComPsych attorneys can help you with:

    • Family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support and adoption
    • Bankruptcy and credit issues
    • Landlord/tenant issues, including eviction and lease questions
    • Real estate and foreclosure questions
    • Immigration concerns
    • Wills and living wills

    New! Financial Resources

    Get the expert, objective help you need. Just call your toll-free number 1-888-283-3515 to access unlimited, 30-minute telephonic sessions. You’ll be connected to a highly trained, caring clinician who will talk with you about your specific situation and schedule a phone appointment for you with one of ComPsych’s financial experts.

    ComPsych’s in-house staff includes Certified Public Accountants, Certified Financial Planners and other professionals dedicated exclusively to providing financial information to you by phone. And because ComPsych’s experts are not associated with any financial institution, you are assured that they will provide impartial and objective information on your money topics.

    ComPsych financial experts can help you with:

    • Credit card and debt management
    • Budgeting, retirement and estate planning
    • Tax and real estate questions
    • Financing for college
    • Investment options
    • Mortgages, loans and refinancing

    New! Online Support

    What you want, when you want it. Access your services anytime, anywhere from your computer, tablet or smartphone. ComPsych’s award-winning portal, , is your go-to site for expert information and tools on the issues that matter most to you: relationships, work, school, parenting, wellness, legal, financial, free time and much more. With 24/7 access, you can get the info you need when and where you need it.

    Go online for:

    • Articles, podcasts, videos, slideshows
    • On-demand trainings, online communities and chat
    • “Ask a GuidanceConsultantSM†personal responses to your questions

    Download the free GuidanceNow app to gain access.

    • Register as a first-time user on GuidanceResources.com using your organizations web ID (UAS)
    • Download the app from either the App Store or Google play
    • Log in using your username and password

    New! Digital Self-Care Tools

    Free, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) tools available anytime, anywhere. Your program offers a platform of digital self-care tools that can help you tackle stress, depression and other common mental health issues–whenever and from wherever you need to. Provided in partnership with , this interactive, user-friendly platform is a powerful, self-contained wellness solution. The dynamic, digital content is grounded in evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology, and is curated by skilled psychologists. It’s also clinically proven to enhance mental health and well-being.

    Focus Areas: Anxiety, depression, mindfulness, sleep improvement, stress, resilience, positive thinking, low self-esteem and more.

    How It Works: To get started, Foundations asks you about your goals. Maybe it’s wanting to sleep better, or to be less stressed or to have more confidence in yourself. Using your answers, the platform creates individualized experiences through interactive programs, skill-building tools and inspirational resources you access right from your smartphone or tablet. These experiences may help you reduce personal roadblocks, eliminate stress and anxiety, and overcome mental barriers. All the while, the program tracks your progress and keeps you motivated on your journey to a better you.

    On-Site Crisis Intervention

    In the event of a major disaster, loss of life, or crisis situation, EAP staff is available to provide on-site assistance also known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) within 2 hours. Please contact Human Resources at (205) 348-9506 when a “critical incident†impacts your employees or the workplace.

Employee Training

In-person Training

UAS employees may participate in all in-person training available at each UAS employee’s respective campus. You may need a campus ID badge or number in order to participate. For registration and schedules, please contact your campus’s Human Resources office.

Additional Benefits

WellBAMA

 is the University of Alabama’s signature wellness program for faculty and staff including UA System Office employees. Their dedicated team of health and wellness professionals are available to help you understand your current level of health, identify goals, and provide you with the programs and resources you need to achieve those goals. Don’t forget, for employees who participate in WellBAMA, some training courses count toward your program requirement for the year. Reach out to UAS Human Resources Opens in a new window for more information on qualifying programs.