Benefits
We offer competitive employer-paid health & welfare benefits.Municipal Pension Plan
Provides a pension income that includes employee and employer contributions and is based on your salary and years of service upon retirement. Please click here to learn more.
Extended Health Care
Provides supplementary coverage for services including prescription drugs, paramedical (physio, chiropractor, acupuncture, RMT, naturopath, podiatrist, psychologist/RSW/RCC, speech therapist), hospital accommodation, vision care, hearing aids, medical supplies.
Please note the collective agreement has a dual coverage restriction which may affect eligibility – see footnote*.
Dental Coverage
Basic (100%); Routine including minor restorative (100%, no maximum); Major restorative (60%, no maximum); Orthodontic (subject to lifetime maximum).
Please note the collective agreement has a dual coverage restriction which may affect eligibility – see footnote**.
Group Life Insurance
Provides financial protection and is paid to your beneficiary or estate in the event of your death while employed with John Howard.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Provides additional financial protection over and above the group life insurance paid to your beneficiary in the event of accidental death while employed with John Howard. An accidental dismemberment benefit is paid to you if you lose a limb, sight, hearing or speech as a result of an accident while employed with John Howard.
Employee and Family Assistance Program
Confidential, voluntary, short-term counseling is provided for employees to deal with a range of personal, family, and workplace concerns at no cost.
Travel Insurance and Assistance (out of province emergency)
If you are enrolled in the BC Medical Services Plan and the Extended Health Plan, you will have coverage for emergency out of country medical expenses when traveling.
Travel Cancellation Insurance
If you are enrolled in the Extended Health Plan, you will have coverage for trip cancellation.
Optional Insurance
Through payroll deduction, employees have the opportunity to purchase Optional Life, Accident and Serious Illness, and Critical insurance with no evidence of insurability (i.e. medical questionnaire).
Medical Second Opinion
If you are enrolled in the Extended Health Plan, you have access to specialists to ensure you and your dependents have the correct diagnosis and are on the optimal treatment path.
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Provides payment for the cost of required medical, surgical, obstetrical and diagnostic services from practitioners.
Sick Leave
Provides short-term sick leave benefits in the event of a non-occupational illness or accident.
Long-Term Disability
Provides continuing income if you are unable to work as a result of an accident or sickness after completion of your qualifying period.
Paid Vacation and Statutory Holidays
Vacation entitlements start at three weeks with additional time accrued based on years of service. Twelve statutory holidays are observed throughout the year.
Special Leave With Pay
Special leave may be granted for compassionate leave, marriage and other special circumstances.
Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leaves
Maternity, parental, and adoption leaves are granted based on provisions within the collective agreements or terms and conditions for staff. Health and welfare benefits continue for eligible employees.
Computer Purchase Program
Employees have the opportunity to purchase a laptop or tablet from the supplier of their choice using payroll deduction, after one year of employment.
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*Extended Health Dual Coverage Restriction: “Employees and/or dependants are ineligible for coverage if enrolled in another extended health plan.” (page 124 of General Services Collective Agreement Effective from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025)
**Dental Dual Coverage Restriction: “Employees and/or dependants are ineligible for coverage if enrolled in another dental plan that is equal or better to this dental plan.” (page 121 of General Services Collective Agreement Effective from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025)