Benefits
The following benefits are offered to all full-time employees of the Town of Wake Forest. All insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days from employment date.
Medical insurance- Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NC
The Town has two medical plans (Buy-Up Plan and Base Plan). The Town pays for employee coverage – at $854.00/month for the Buy-Up Plan and $777.14 for the Base Plan. Both medical plans are administered by BCBSNC. As a covered member, you may choose to receive care from any of the primary care physicians and specialists who are listed in the BCBSNC directory, without a referral. There is a $25 co-payment for office visits and $50 for specialists. 80% of eligible expenses for inpatient hospital services after deductible are covered under both plans. The Buy Up Plan has a total annual out of pocket maximum of $3,750 for single coverage and $7,500 per family per calendar year. The Base Plan has a total annual out of pocket maximum of $5,000 for single coverage and $10,000 per family per calendar year. Prescription drugs for both plans: $4 co-payment for generic (Tier 1), $40 co-payment (Tier 2) and $55 co-payment (Tier 3) for brand name drugs on the Preferred Drug List. Blue Cross/Blue Shield website
Employee Contributions for Additional Medical Coverage
Bi-Weekly Employee Cost
Employee + Spouse - $256.20
Employee + Child(ren) - $170.80
Family - $512.40
Base Plan Bi-weekly Employee Cost
Employee + Spouse - $233.14
Employee + Child(ren) - $155.43
Family - $466.28
Dental insurance - MetLife
Town pays for employee coverage. $1,500 per person annual maximum/plan year benefit, $50 annual deductible ($100 per family) when applicable. Pays 100% reasonable and customary charges for preventive services, 80% of charges for basic restorative services; and 80% of charges for major restorative services. Orthodontia is available for children up to age 19. MetLife website
Employee Contributions for Additional Dental Coverage
Bi-Weekly Employee Cost
Employee + Spouse - $27.53
Employee + Child - $31.52
Family - $44.52
Life Insurance – UNUM
Town pays for employee coverage. Employee Life Insurance is equal to 100% of employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next $1,000. (Example: Salary = $25,100; Life insurance = $26,000).
Short Term Disability – Municipal Insurance Trust
Town pays for employee coverage. Benefits begin on the 8th day of disability, maximum payment period of 26 weeks. Pays 60% current weekly salary with no maximum.
Long Term Disability – UNUM
Town pays for employee coverage. Benefits begin after short-term disability is exhausted and, if necessary, lasts until Social Security payments begin. Pays 60% current weekly salary with no maximum. Claims are reviewed every two years.
Vision Insurance - Superior Vision
Optional coverage through Colonial Insurance Broker. Benefits include low $10 co-pay for annual exam plus $120 hardware benefit towards contacts or glasses. Superior Vision website
Bi-Weekly Employee Cost
Employee only - $3.63
Employee + 1 - $7.05
Employee + Family - $10.35
Local Government Employee's Retirement System
Enrollment is mandatory at the completion of the 6-month introductory period for general employees and immediate enrollment for sworn Police Officers. Employee contributes 6% of gross earnings and the Town contributes 11.44% of total gross wages for general employees and 12.04% of total gross wages for Police Officers. Employee is fully vested after 5 years of creditable service. We also offer a Death Benefit in the amount of $25,000 - $50,000 to all active employees. website / (877) 627-3287
*State Retirement – It is best to combine the two (state & local) if you are vested in the system. When you retire, the state has a higher calculation in the retirement system than local government. Ex. If you have 17 years with the state and 13 years with local government, you can retire with unreduced benefits from both. Also, with the state retirement plan you receive free hospitalization. (If you are a state employee, please check your manual).
401(k) Retirement
Town contributes 5% of gross earnings for general employees after successful completion of the 6-month introductory period. Employees transferring from local or state government may continue voluntary contributions with Town contributions starting after successful completion of the introductory period. Fulltime, sworn law enforcement officers are enrolled immediately upon hire with the Town contributing 5% of their gross earnings. All employees may add voluntary contributions by payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. Website / (866) 624-0151
NC 457 Retirement Plan
Employees are eligible to enroll in this deferred compensation plan available exclusively to North Carolina public employees. Features include 100% vesting, penalty free withdrawals and multiple investment choices. Employees may enroll as of the date of hire. Website / (866) 627-5267
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Business Health Services
Provides short term confidential counseling with marital, financial, legal, alcohol, family or other concerns, for employees and their families at no cost to the employee. Twenty-four (24) hour emergency phone assistance and telephone sessions available. (919) 872-4786 or (800) 327-2251
Flexible Spending
Flexible Benefit Administrators: (800) 437-3539 - Medical ($2,750 limit) and Childcare ($5,000 limit) flexible spending accounts. www.flex-admin.com
Supplemental Insurance - UNUM
Policies include: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity and whole life coverage. Employee pays for employee and/or dependent coverage. www.UNUM.com or 1-866-679-3054
Liberty Mutual
Auto and home insurance program. As employees of the Town of Wake Forest you can receive up to 10% off auto and home insurance. For information contact Melissa Kiner, LUTCF, at (919)-401-1550 ext: 56557.
NC 529 Plan
North Carolina’s National College Savings Program. You can open an account for anyone-even yourself. Anyone can save toward someone’s college education. Use the funds for college expenses at virtually any college anywhere. Earnings grow tax-free. Withdrawals used for Qualified Higher Education Expenses are exempt from both NC and Federal income taxes. Employer Code: 02697. If you have questions contact CFNC.org/NC529 or 1-800-600-3453.
Local Government Employees' Credit Union
All full and part-time employees are eligible to join the Local Government Employees' Credit Union. The local branch is available at the State Employees' Credit Union located at 1116 Jenkins Road. (919) 562-7222
Merit Increases
After successfully completing the introductory period, each employee will receive a 5% pay increase. We also offer merit increases annually based on performance and behavior measures. Merit Increases will fall into one of two possible ranges, Developmental Range is for salaries below mid-point and Market Range is for salaries above mid-point.
Developmental Range | Market Range | ||
Unacceptable | 0% | 0% | |
Needs Development | 0% | 0% | |
Proficiency and is Fully Competent | 3% | 1.75% | |
Highly Commendable | 5% | 3.5% | |
Mastery and Excellence | 7% | 5% |
Merit increases increase an employee's salary unless the increase exceeds the maximum for a particular Pay Grade, in which case the increase will be paid as a lump sum only. Employees are eligible for merit increases on Jan. 1 following one full year of employment.
Note: Part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week will be evaluated bi-annually with the potential for a pay increase.
Holidays
Eleven paid holidays per year (Town observes same holiday schedule as State of North Carolina).
Vacation
Accrues weekly. Maximum number of days an employee can accumulate is 30.
0-4 years
12 days per year5-9 years
15 days per year10-14 years
18 days per year15-19 years
20 days per year20+ years
21 days per year
Sick Leave
Accrues weekly. Twelve days per year. No Limit on number of days accumulated.
Additional Sick Leave
In addition to sick leave, at the beginning of the 15th year of active service, you will have an Additional Sick Leave account and accrue ten (10) days per month for the next 12 consecutive months. Beginning at the 25th year, you will accrue ten (10) days per month for the next 12 consecutive months.
Paid Parental Leave
After at least 12 months as a regular full-time Town employee who is FMLA eligible, you may request up to six (6) weeks of paid parental leave. Qualifying events include: the birth of your child; the legal placement of a child with you for adoption, foster care or guardianship; or the placement of a child with you for whom you permanently assume and discharge parental responsibilities (in loco parentis).
Paid Elder Care Leave
After at least 12 months as a regular full-time Town employee who is FMLA eligible, you may request up to six (6) weeks of paid elder care leave. A qualifying event includes the care of a parent, grandparent, spouse or legal guardian.
Floating Holiday
As a regular full-time Town employee, you will receive one paid floating holiday per fiscal year that may be used for personal reasons such as: religious observances, parent-teacher conferences or to supplement vacation, sick and holiday leave. This leave is available upon completion of your introductory period.
Management Leave
If you are hired as a regular full-time Town employee in a Fair Labor Standards (FLSA) exempt position and you work beyond 40 hours in a workweek in service to the Town, you will be eligible for management leave, after successfully completing the six month introductory period, at the sole discretion of your department director as approved by the Town Manager.
Funeral Leave
Employees are allowed 40 or 42 hours of paid leave per fiscal year based on the workweek associated with the employee’s position. Funeral leave does not carry over from one fiscal year to the next and is not transferable from one employee to another. This leave is available upon completion of your introductory period.
Volunteer & Community Leave Policy
Full time employees with benefits with at least one (1) year of service to the Town may use up to four (4) hours per fiscal year to volunteer for service in the schools or in community programs.
Longevity
Longevity bonus based on employee's date of hire in full-time position based on the following schedule:
5-9 years
$30010-14 years
$50015-19 years
$70020+ years
$1,000
Tuition Assistance Program
Full-time employees who have completed their initial probationary period may be reimbursed for one-half of eligible expenses up to a maximum amount of $2,500 per fiscal year for courses taken on the employee’s own time which will improve his/her skills for his/her current job or prepare him/her for promotional opportunities with the Town.
Remote Work
The Town offers remote working options for eligible positions within the organization. We currently have three remote work options: full remote, hybrid remote schedule and flexible & varied. Eligible employees must complete training on the remote work policy and receive approval from your supervisor and director.
Wellness Wednesdays
The last Wednesday of every month is Wellness Wednesday for all Town of Wake Forest employees. Employees are allowed to spend the last hour of their scheduled workday to engage in a wellness activity.
Direct Deposit
Mandatory for all employees. We are paid on a bi-weekly basis.