Benefits

All postdoc positions at the University of 蓝莓视频 are definite-term appointments and may be eligible for the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 benefit program.

The following provides important information to support postdocs in understanding their eligibility.

Jump to: Benefit eligibility | OHIP and UHIP for postdocs | Enrolling in benefits | Pension eligibility and enrolment | Leaves of absence such as pregnancy and parental leaves (including adoption and surrogacy) |Applicable policies | Important contacts听

Postdoc benefit program eligibility

Only postdocs who are paid employment earnings through U蓝莓视频 payroll may be eligible for extended health care benefits. The postdoctoral scholar guidelines outline three categories of postdoctoral scholars at the University of 蓝莓视频. The following outlines benefit eligibility for each category:

Postdoctoral scholar employees (type A)

Postdocs who are employed and paid their full employment earnings through University of 蓝莓视频 payroll (including tri-agency funded postdocs) are eligible for the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 benefit program provided their initial contracts are of at least one year, and that they work at least 33% of full-time equivalency (FTE). The benefits package available is based on the contract length, as outlined below.

Postdoctoral scholar employees (type B)

Postdocs who are paid directly from another agency (i.e. salary is not paid through U蓝莓视频 payroll) and who also receive a 鈥渢op-up鈥 that is paid through U蓝莓视频 payroll may be eligible for the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 benefit program. Benefits are aligned with the postdoctoral appointment duration and the portion of the salary paid through U蓝莓视频. Postdocs in this situation should confirm with Human Resources (hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca) regarding their specific situation.

Postdoctoral scholar associates

Postdocs who are paid their full salary directly from another agency (i.e. salary is not paid through U蓝莓视频 payroll) are not eligible for the U蓝莓视频 benefit program, regardless of contract length.

For postdocs who are eligible for the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 benefit program, the University offers two benefits programs, the eligibility for which is based on contract length and/or total length of employment: 听

  • Definite-term appointments that are more than three months but less than one year: Not eligible for benefits.听

  • Definite-term appointments of one year or more but less than two years1: Eligible for temporary benefits program.听

  • Definite-term appointments of two years or more: Eligible for full benefits program.听听

For details on what is included in each benefits program, please refer to the benefits eligibility table below.听

Postdoc benefit eligibility

Benefits

Definite-term appointments of two years or more, and positions that are contingent upon funding.

Definite-term appointments of one year or more but less than two years.1

Definite-term appointments that are more than three months but less than one year
Dental YES听(part-time /fractional load, 蓝莓视频 pays premium based on听full time equivalent (FTE)听percentage) NO NO
Extended health YES, employee must participate in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan or the University Health Insurance Plan basic health plan (part-time/ fractional load, 蓝莓视频 pays premium based on FTE percentage)2 YES, employee must participate in Ontario Health Insurance Plan or University Health Insurance Plan basic health plan (part-time/ fractional load, 蓝莓视频 pays premium based on FTE percentage)2 NO
Life insurance YES, up to six times annual salary (based on actual salary, if part-time/ fractional load) YES, one times annual salary (based on actual salary, if part-time/ fractional load) NO
Sick leave YES, 180 calendar days (pro-rated if part-time /fractional load) YES, six working days per year, pro-rated if part-time/ fractional load YES, six working days per year, pro-rated (does not apply to casual or occasional employees)
Long-term disability YES (based on actual salary, if part-time/ fractional load) NO NO
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) YES NO NO
Tuition benefit YES

听NO

 NO
Vacation YES, university policy provides one month of vacation during each year of appointment. YES, university policy provides one month of vacation during each year of appointment. NO, the law of Ontario requires that you be paid 4% of your salary for this period of employment as vacation pay.

1In cases where definite-term appointments are continued or extended, these appointments are treated as on-going for benefits purposes when two years of continuous employment is reached.

2As a postdoc, you are eligible for health insurance either through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) or the (OHIP). Please review the UHIP website for information on eligibility and enrolment. To find out if you are eligible to receive OHIP, please check the or visit a Service Ontario location.

For additional details regarding what is included within each benefit, please refer to the HR benefits information.

Enrolling in benefits听

It is in the best interest of the employee to log into Workday and complete benefit enrolment within the first month of eligibility. The New Hire Information Sheet (PDF)鈥痝uides a new employee through the requirements to be completed before the first day of work including benefit enrolment.听

This is especially important for employees with dependents they wish to enrol, as employees who do not complete this within 31 days of their hire date will be considered late applicants and the default benefit set-up will apply (i.e. healthcare for yourself only, life insurance at 1 times salary, your Estate defaulted as your beneficiary). To change your coverage after this, approval of Evidence of Insurability by the benefits provider may be required (i.e. Sun Life Financial for life insurance, GreenShield for healthcare benefits).听听听

Once enrolled, new postdocs should receive information about their benefits from GreenShield within 4-6 weeks and benefits are effective as of eligibility date. 鈥疺iew鈥The benefits ID card鈥痺eb page for more information. 听

Pension eligibility and enrolment听

Postdocs who have at least 33% Full-time equivalent (FTE) who have an appointment or series of consecutive appointments greater than one year are eligible for the U蓝莓视频 pension plan. 听

If you have met the eligibility criteria, pension plan participation is voluntary under the age of 35, and mandatory for those 35 years of age and older. Once you have joined the pension plan, you cannot opt out.听

For more information, please refer to HR鈥檚 joining the pension plan webpage.听听

Pregnancy and parental leaves (including adoption and surrogacy)听

Postdocs may be eligible for pregnancy and/or parental leaves, including for adoption, and may also be eligible for a U蓝莓视频 top-up during pregnancy/parental leaves. Postdocs funded through Tri-Agency research grants or Tri-Agency fellowships may be eligible for a Tri-Agency funded parental leave.听听

Please review the chart below. If you are planning to take a pregnancy and/or parental leave, please fill out the postdoc pregnancy and/or parental leave intake form. Once you have completed the intake form, a representative from HR will follow up with you regarding next steps and support you in understanding your eligibility for a leave and/or top-up payments.听听

Postdoc pregnancy/parental leave eligibility
Benefits 听听听听 Definite-term appointments of two years or more, and positions that are contingent upon funding. Definite-term appointments of one year or more but less than two years.1 Definite-term appointments that are more than three months but less than one year
Pregnancy/parental leave YES YES YES (if eligible per ESA)
Pregnancy/parental leave top-up Confirm with HR by completing the intake form. Confirm with HR by completing the intake form. Confirm with HR by completing the intake form.

Applicable U蓝莓视频 policies

The University of 蓝莓视频 has several policies related to benefits that postdocs may find useful to review:听听

Important contacts听

If you have questions about your benefit eligibility as a postdoc, please reach out direct to the Human Resources team at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca. You may also wish to review the HR Benefits FAQ page.听听