Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, has reintroduced insurance benefits for its full-time staff after a temporary suspension, and plans are underway to expand offerings.
Short Summary:
- Paine College reinstates insurance benefits for employees.
- A new broker team is set to enhance benefit offerings.
- The college aims to prevent future disruptions in coverage.
Full-time employees at Paine College can once again access a suite of insurance benefits, according to a June 27 press release. The college, having faced recent contract negotiation difficulties, suspended benefits last month but has since resolved the issue and is now working with a new broker team to offer expanded options.
Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, the president of Paine College, addressed the matter openly.
“The College sincerely regrets any interruption in insurance benefits for its employees. We expect the new insurance coverage to fit the needs of employees,” she said. “Though employee coverage was temporarily interrupted, we believe we are now in a better place with our insurance. This caused us to examine internal procedures to ensure that this does not happen again.”
The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options, both short- and long-term, in addition to supplemental benefits like accident, hospital, and critical illness coverage. This extensive range aims to cater to various aspects of employee health and well-being.
The return of these benefits comes after the college suspended them on May 15, citing escalating costs and an inability to reach an agreement with their former provider. The decision to re-evaluate their contracts stemmed from a need to source a cost-effective solution without compromising employee health plans.
In a candid letter to the staff, Vice President for Administrative and Fiscal Affairs LeRoy Summers Jr. communicated the suspension, though Dr. Jones’ name was notably absent from the document. The absence left many employees feeling undervalued and unheard, as seen in a statement from longtime employee Uzetta Gresham.
“I’ve poured 25 years of my life into Paine College, and so have a lot of us. We’ve been dedicated employees, we’ve worked through the furlough because we love the institution, we love our administration. But at this point, we just feel kind of let down and not really regarded,”
said Gresham.
Dr. Jones has since been more vocal, offering apologies and assurances to the staff.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused our employees,” she stated. “It is our intent to resolve this matter expeditiously and restore affordable health and medical benefits for our employees.”
Importantly, she emphasized that vision and dental benefits remained active during the suspension.
With Paine College’s step to reintroduce and expand benefits, employees now have the ability to choose from a broader array of protections aimed at their overall health. Participation in benefit presentations has already begun, with open enrollment extending until June 28, ensuring coverage from July 1.
This move is not just logistical but philosophical, reinforcing the college’s commitment to its employees. Dr. Jones expressed her gratitude for the patience and dedication displayed by the staff throughout this tumultuous period, marking a collective effort towards a positive resolution.
While navigating the challenge of rising costs, Paine College aims to maintain open lines of communication, keeping employees well-informed throughout the transition phases. The administration plans to continually update the staff on any further changes.
Gresham’s sentiment echoes the broader feeling among many staff members, hopeful yet cautious for a reciprocated dedication from the institution they serve. The reinstated benefits are a significant step forward in this regard.
Paine College’s decision underscores a crucial balancing act facing many institutions today—providing essential employee benefits while managing financial realities. The reinstitution of these benefits symbolizes a critical effort to uphold employee welfare despite the challenges.
As of now, Paine College’s employees can take a breath, reassured that their health and well-being are once again prioritized, with an eye towards even better coverage in the future.
This news will continue to develop as the college works on further expanding and securing long-term agreements to benefit all its employees effectively. Stay tuned for more updates.
