I called the head of employee records and he pulled my file. He then had me hold on while he walked down the way to the benefits office to check on my paperwork. I'm all set and they have a deduction scheduled for my Oct. 31st paycheck. He wasn't sure about the retirement information and told me to call yet another person. That person wasn't in so I left a message and I am awaiting a return phone call.
I wonder when I will get medical cards and all...
I fear that title doesn't accurately describe the subject of this post, but it is the best I could come up with. I'm not having issues with my job, per se, I'm having issues with the bureaucratic nature of the university.
My supervisor gave me the opportunity to begin working full-time on June 1, 2 months prior to graduation. Being that I was technically still a student through August I was considered a temporary full-time employee. Being a temporary employee I was not granted benefits which was fine as I was covered under student insurance through mid-August. I was to become full-time with benefits on September 1. That meant about 2-1/2 weeks with no benefits. Fine. I could deal with that. Also, as a temporary employee I should not accrue vacation or sick leave. However, I noticed I have for the month of June (more on that later).
As September 1 got closer and closer we learned of several hoops that needed to be jumped through in order for me to become full-time (re: paperwork!). All of that was done and pushed out of the door (of my office) on September 7th. I went to a benefits meeting on September 18th, I completed all of the paperwork, and submitted the forms on September 20th or 21st (I have copies at home). I was told that it would be best to select October 1 as a start date and I would not be charged for benefits until my Oct. 31st paycheck. Fine. That is what I did. I was also told that I would receive medical cards and information in the mail.
Fast forward to October 3rd. I notice on my vacation and sick leave form I have not accrued any hours. I ask the office manager and he is not sure why it hasn't taken place and I explain that I do have some for the month of June. That is baffling to him as I shouldn't have any from then because I was temporary. I also tell him that I have yet to receive any information about benefits. He proceeds to investigate.
He later tells me that the paperwork that was sent to employee records on September 7th is still sitting on someone's desk and has yet to be keyed into the system. I'm still temporary! He goes round and round with the head of employee records about whether or not I need to pay benefits for the month of September and into the retirement system. He then tells me to expect a call from them. 3 days pass and I don't get a call from them. I take it upon myself to call and I'm told that I'm still listed as temporary. Employee records calls the office manager for some additional information and they learn the paperwork has moved onto someone else, but I'm still temporary. She can't make any changes until I'm listed in the system as full-time with benefits.
I have no idea of what to expect when I receive my 10/31 paycheck. Will they have taken out $$$ for benefits and retirement? Who knows? Am I covered? According to the office manager I am, but I don't have any documentation stating that I am. Luckily, I haven't been in need of medical service. Although I am past due for my well-woman exam and my 6 month teeth cleaning is fast approaching. I hope this is resolved soon.
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2 comments:
You would think that in this technological age, the red tape and bureaucracy that we have to go through to get things done would be less. But I swear it's even worse… Anyone who has taken a trip to the DMV lately knows. I guess as long as we still have that margin for human error (i.e. the idiot with your paperwork sitting on his desk collecting dust) then no matter how many technological advances we get, stuff will still be slow and more complicated than it needs to be. I'll keep my fingers crossed that things work out in a timely manner for you! :-)
Exactly! The university wants for us to do all sorts of things electronically (get our pay stub, send out announcements, etc.) yet we still do some things via the old paper trail route. And when those things get stuck on someone's desk who ultimately takes the fall, the individual (i.e., me in this case) that is trying to get it resolved (i.e., I don't have benefits!). *sigh*
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