Employee Benefits

Contact Human Resources for employee eligibility rules.

Health Insurance

The City of Lawrence is self-insured and offers a plan which provides comprehensive major medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage. Coverage for new employees is effective the first of the month following a thirty-day enrollment waiting period from their date of hire. Employee coverage is paid in full by the City. Employee premiums for family coverage are payroll deducted over 26 pay periods and may be paid with pre-tax dollars. The major medical deductible is $300/$600 and coinsurance (80/20) is $600/$1200. Expenses for prescription drugs and dental care are not applied toward the major medical deductible or coinsurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts they contribute are not subject to Federal, FICA, or State income taxes. FSAs are available for expenses not reimbursed under any other health plan and dependent care assistance programs.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP is a free and confidential counseling service available to employees and immediate family members.

Leave and Holidays

Vacation

At hire	6 years	11 years	16 years	21 years	26 years
12 days	16 days	19 days	22 days	24 days	25 days

Firefighter accrual schedule

At hire	6 years	11 years	16 years	21 years	26 years
144 hours	168 hours	192 hours	240 hours	264 hours	288 hours

Personal days

Two personal days are granted annually.

Sick leave

Twelve days are accrued annually of which six days may be used for illness of an immediate family member or adoption of a child. Firefighters working 24-hour shifts accrue 144 hours sick leave annually.

Holidays

Nine holidays are observed annually: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day

Emergency leave

Up to forty-eight hours emergency leave may be granted annually for death in the immediate family. Firefighters working 24-hour shifts may take up to ninety-six hours annually.

Jury duty

Employees will receive regular pay when called to jury duty and are permitted to retain the allowance received for such services.

Shared leave

Donated leave may be used for an employee's serious illness or injury.

Retirement

Membership in the Kansas Public Employee's Retirement System (KPERS) or Kansas Police and Firefighter's Retirement System (KP&F) is mandatory for employees in covered positions. The systems provide retirement, disability, and survivor's benefits. KPERS members receive Basic Group Life Insurance. The City has affiliated to offer Optional Group Life Insurance to both KPERS and KP&F members.

Deferred Compensation

Deferred compensation is a retirement savings program employees can participate in through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.

Life Insurance / AD&D

The City provides from $12,500 to $50,000 in term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage depending on pay grade. Dependent life is available. Voluntary term life insurance up to five time annual salary is available to regular employees working at least twenty hours per week.

Specific Disease / Critical Illness

Employees can payroll deduct premiums for cancer, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and accidental injury for themselves and immediate family members. Intensive care unit and cash value riders are available.

Other Benefits

- Uniforms, Wellness Program which provides health risk assessments, annual flu shot clinics, National Employee Health and Fitness Day events, time-off incentives, and employee discounts for Lawrence Parks and Recreation fitness classes and local fitness club memberships, Employee Assistance Program