Lunch and Learn: Postdoc Rights and Benefits
Date: October 20, 2015
InvitedSpeakers:
- Mary Anne Berzins, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Planning for Human Resources
- Mandy Britt, HR Business Partner at the University of Utah
- Jennifer Mabey, Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs in the Graduate School
Summary:
We had a lively panel discussion about postdoctoral rights and benefits. Postdoctoral benefits can be complicated due to the fact that postdocs are defined using a variety of job codes, rules and regulations can vary based on citizenship, and funding status (i.e., what grants or fellowships you are paid from) can affect your eligibility for some benefits. Highlights from the discussion are provided below:
- All of the benefits that postdoc’s are eligible for are listed on the Univeristy of Utah Benefits Eligibility Chart: https://www.hr.utah.edu/forms/lib/5-308.Matrix.pdf Note that postdocs are split into three different job codes, if you don’t know your job code you can look at the “job title” on your paycheck or ask HR.
- All employees are entitled to both sick days and vacation days. How your department tracks these days may vary, but the minimum provided are detailed by HR: https://benefits.utah.edu/paid-leave-time/#vacation
- Maternity/Paternity Leave (as well as other extended medical leaves) are allowed under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Information on FMLA can be found through HR: https://benefits.utah.edu/medical-leaves-of-absence/
- The Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs offers travel awards to all postdocs. Information on how to apply for that award can be found on the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website: Travel Application Postdocs
- Human Resources is a good resource for any questions you have regarding your rights and benefits as a postdoc. You can find the appropriate person to contact through the “Find Your HR Contacts” page: https://www.hr.utah.edu/contact/search.php