Benefits

Human resource services administers all benefits of employment; providing notice regarding new employee benefits orientations, open enrollment periods, meetings to discuss benefit plans, changes in coverage, annual plan renewals, insurance company contacts, and notice to employees ending employment and to employees whose eligibility under the plans is impacted by a change in their employment status. Forms related to securing benefits under the various benefit plans and maintaining copies of master insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions for employees are also administered by human resource services. Employees are encouraged to visit with human resource services staff regarding questions related to any of the benefits noted in this section.
 
Benefits information can be found at www.whitworth.edu/benefits.

All employees (faculty and staff, full- and part-time, regular, interim, visiting, adjunct, temporary) are covered by the mandatory benefits outlined below.

1. Workers' Compensation

All employees are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance, which covers payment of medical services and partial salary loss for work-related injury or illness. The employee is required by law to complete Whitworth's incident report form and submit it to their supervisor within one working day of sustaining a work-related injury or illness. The supervisor is required to complete their section of the incident report form and submit it immediately to human resource services.
 
If the employee is unable to complete the report because of the seriousness or nature of the illness or injury, it is the supervisor's responsibility to complete the employee's section of the form immediately and to notify human resource services of the inability of the employee to complete paperwork related to the injury or illness.
 
The employee must notify all healthcare providers at time of service that they believe the illness or injury to be work-related. The healthcare provider's office should immediately complete a Department of Labor and Industries claim form. A copy of this form is sent to the employer who completes it using information provided by the employee and supervisor on the incident report form. If the claim is accepted, the Department of Labor and Industries assigns a claim number and notifies the healthcare providers to bill their office directly for all expenses. This form also initiates time-loss payments, if applicable. The premium is paid jointly by Whitworth and the employee as provided under the laws of the state of Washington.

2. Social Security

Whitworth University is a participant in the Social Security system. Legislated deductions are withheld from employee earnings each month and are matched by university contributions. Currently, Social Security provides a limited death benefit, retirement income, disability benefits and Medicare insurance after age 65. Brochures on benefits available under this program are available from human resource services and the local Social Security office.

Eligible faculty and staff, their spouses and their dependent children qualify for tuition remission benefits as outlined in the Tuition Remission Policy-Faculty & Staff.