Classified Staff Benefits
Classified staff are employees of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) working in positions defined in accordance with the State Classified System.
The university provides classified staff with benefits to meet their needs and the needs of their families at every stage of employment.
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Health Benefits
Health coverage for classified staff working at least 80 hours per month begins on the first day of the month concurrent with, or following, the effective date of your date of hire. If your position begins after the first day of the month, your coverage will not begin until the first day of the following month.
Family and dependents are eligible to be added to the plan at the same time an employee elects coverage. For additional eligibility guidelines, review the overview section.
Family and Dependent Eligibility Overview
Coverage ends the last day of the month in which your employment ends.
Voluntary Benefits
Benefits-eligible employees can elect to participate in voluntary benefit programs. Enrollment with Public Employee Benefits Program (PEBP) health insurance is not required to enroll in any of these products.
Medicare Plans
Individuals become eligible for Medicare coverage when they turn 65. Enrollment is not required if enrolled in a group medical plan with the Public Employee Benefits Program (PEBP).
Medicare and PEBP Coverage Overview
Additional Resources
Medical Plan Options
There are three medical plan options for you to choose from so you can find coverage that meets your needs.
Prescription Benefits
Prescription benefits differ based on the medical plan you choose. The Statewide CDHP - PPO and Low Deductible PPO plan use Express Scripts and the HMO plan uses OPTUM Rx to manage prescription benefits.
Vision Benefits
Vision benefits, copays, and coverages differ based on the health plan that you choose. Most plans cover all or part of the cost of prescription eyeglasses or contacts on a bi-yearly basis.
Dental Benefits
Dental coverages are the same for all three medical care plans. Coinsurance rates differ based on whether your provider is in-network or out-of-network.
Health Savings Accounts & Health Reimbursement Arrangements
If you select the PPO - Consumer Driven Health Plan, you may choose a health savings account or a health reimbursement account to assist you in overing medical bills.
Health Savings Accounts & Health Reimbursement Arrangement Overview
Time Off and Leave
Annual Leave
Annual leave for classified staff is based on their years of service to the university. New employees are eligible to use leave after six months of full-time service. Classified employees with a full-time equivalent (FTE) less than 100% FTE earn annual leave on a prorated basis.
Full-time classified employees earn annual leave at the following rates:
| Years of Service | Annual Leave |
|---|---|
| Less than 10 years | 10 hours each month |
| 10-14 years | 12 hours per month |
| 15 years or more | 14 hours each month |
Requesting Annual Leave
Classified staff may request leave in a minimum of 15-minute increments. Time off requests are submitted through Workday. The “managing time off” job aid is available for those who need instructions.
Excess Annual Leave
Classified employees who accrue annual leave in excess of 240 hours (30 days) must use it on or before January 1 or it will be forfeited. To avoid forfeiture, request annual leave by October 15.
Annual leave in excess of the carryover limit requested by October 15 but denied by a supervisor is eligible for payment. Classified employees will automatically receive payment for unused leave by January 31. More information can be found in the State of Nevada Employee Handbook
Annual Leave Payout at Separation.
If a classified employee separates from state service and has worked at least six months, they will receive payment for any unused annual leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time classified employees accumulate 10 hours of sick leave per month. Part-time classified employees with a full-time equivalent (FTE) less than 100% FTE earn sick leave on a prorated basis. Sick leave may be used immediately after it is earned. Leave is paid time for:
- Personal illness
- Care for family members with illness, injury, medical, optometry, or dental appointments
- Death in the family (up to five working days)
Extended Sick Leave
The university offers extended paid sick leave (granted by the university president) for academic and administrative faculty members who have exhausted their sick leave and are unable to return to work.
Requesting Sick Leave
Classified staff may request leave in a minimum of 15-minute increments. Time off requests are submitted through Workday. The “managing time off” job aid is available for those who need instructions.
Sick Leave Carryover
Classified employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 10 hours for each full month of service. After accumulating 720 hours of sick leave (90 days), the amount of additional unused sick leave which an employee is entitled to carry forward from one year to the next is limited to one half of the unused sick leave accrued during that year.
The other half of the unused sick leave is placed in a separate account called “sick leave bank” and is known as special sick leave. These additional hours are banked in December each year.
Sick Leave Payout at Separation
A classified employee who separates after a minimum of 10 years of service through no fault of their own is entitled to payment of accrued sick leave in excess of 240 hours (30 days) up to the following maximum amounts:
Sick Leave Payout at Separation
A classified employee who separates after a minimum of 10 years of service through no fault of their own is entitled to payment of accrued sick leave in excess of 240 hours (30 days) up to the following maximum amounts:
| Years of Service | Maximum Payoff Amount |
|---|---|
| 10-15 years | $2,500 |
| 15-20 years | $4,000 |
| 20-25 years | $6,000 |
| 25 or more years | $8,000 |
Additionally, an employee may be eligible to receive a portion of their unused sick leave accrued but not carried forward (also known as special sick leave) when they leave state service.
To determine the amount of payoff, the following formula can be used:
- (special sick leave hours accrued and not carried forward) + (120 hours accrued regular sick leave) ÷ 2 × rate or pay = payment amount
Wellness
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a University of Nevada, Las Vegas sponsored program. The EAP is managed by ComPsych. The program provides all employees with assistance to address personal everyday challenges and obtain resources and information needed to support positive change and improve your well-being.
The program provides:
- Emotional support for issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, greif, loss, and life
- Qualified referrals and resources for finding child and elder care, hiring movers, home repair contractors, planning events and locating pet care
- Legal guidance and resources for divorce, adoption, family law, wills, trusts, and more
- Financial experts who can assist with retirement planning, taxes, relocation, mortgages, insurance, budgeting, debt, and bankruptcy
- Online information tools and support such as podcasts, articles, videos, slideshows
- On-demand training
The faculty/staff wellness webpage also provides on-campus resources based on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
Grant-in-Aid Program
The Grant-in-Aid program is available for classified employees at 50% FTE (full time equivalent) or greater. This program offers tuition assistance for employees who enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses at any of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools.
Classified Staff Enrichment Award
The university offers a staff enrichment award that offers tuition assistance to help classified employees’ spouses, domestic partners and dependents pursue their education goals at UNLV.
Learning & Development
A variety of personal and professional development opportunities are available to develop and enhance our workforce including:
- Virtual Professional Development Seminar series
- Management Training Academy
- Real Colors
- Leadership Coaching Program
These programs are available from our Learning & Development unit.
Retirement
All university employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. UNLV classified employees contribute to a pension plan through the Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS).
- Employee/Employer Plan (EE/ER): employees contribute 17.50% of their gross salary to the plan and the university contributes 17.50% to the plan
- Employer Pay Plan (EPC): the university pays the entire contribution on behalf of the employee. As a result, the employee will see a reduction in salary.
Vesting and Withdrawal
After five years of service, classified employees are vested, or eligible to receive benefits for retirement. Employees are eligible for a withdrawal of their employee contributions only upon termination of service and if contributions were made through the EE/ER Plan.
Retirement Eligibility
A regular PERS classified employee can retire and receive retirement benefits once he or she has reached one of the following criteria:
| If You Were Hired | Prior to Jan. 1, 2010 | On or After Jan. 1, 2010 | On or After Jan. 1, 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefit Eligibility Requirement |
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More information including police PERS classified employee retirement benefits and the amount of retirement benefits paid each month is available on the Retirement Plans for Classified Employees website.
Voluntary Retirement Plans
Contact
If you have any questions about your benefits, please contact your HR business team representative.