The Torch

It’s a dirty job but…

Not every state employee has a cushy job. Come to think of it, which of us do? Maybe you have heard of, or even watched, the “Dirty Jobs” show on television? We would like to hear from our fellow state employees about their dirty or unusual jobs as a state employee.

Maybe you or one of your coworkers is responsible for collecting the road kill, or you have the delightful responsibility of traipsing through some swamp water to spray for mosquitoes. Send us an e-mail with your suggestions (and if you have names and phone numbers, even better!) to spdcommunications@
spd.in.gov.

We look forward to some interesting reading in the new year.

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December's top story
Employees’ efforts circle the world as SECC exceeds goal
secccolorlogo (3K)

Hear that sound? It’s the sound of appreciation from non-profit organizations throughout the world which will benefit from the generosity of state employees. This year’s State Employee Community Campaign (SECC) netted $1,253,656 for those charities. This year marks the first time in five years that the campaign has exceeded its goal.

Here is a breakdown of the campaign results:

  • Number of state employees who pledged to the campaign: 7,229
  • Number of charities to benefit from SECC: 1,587
  • Number of Champions (those who pledged a half-hour’s salary per pay period): 1,310
  • Number of Torchbearers (those who pledge at least $1,000 per year): 193.

To break that down even further: the number of Champions represents 18 percent of all donors and those 18 percent raised 60 percent of the monies. The Torchbearers increased their giving over last year’s campaign by 33 percent. They contributed $318,009.

And a special shout out to the Department of Revenue (DOR) employees. Last year they pledged $65,911. This year’s pledge soared to $96,933. Congratulations to Bill Bahler and Jackie Norman for heading up DOR’s campaign.

New deductions start in December

Now that you have selected your health benefits and open enrollment 2009 is behind us, make sure to review your pay stub for the correct deductions. Whether you enrolled or made changes to your selections, your benefits for 2009 will be effective Jan. 1. Those benefits include health, dental, vision and health savings and flexible spending accounts.

Life insurance changes and/or enrollments that do not require Evidence of Insurability with approval from AUL will be effective Jan. 11 for employees on Payroll A. The effective date for state employees on Payroll B will be Jan. 18.

Deductions for health, dental and vision start coming out of paychecks on the following dates:

  • Payroll B – Dec. 17 (11 days for old plans and rates; three days for new plans and rates)
  • Payroll A – Dec. 24 (four days at old plans and rates; 10 days for new plans and rates)

Deductions for the flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts and life insurance will begin on the first check in January. For those on Payroll A, that date is Jan. 7. Deductions for employees on Payroll B will start with the Jan. 14 paycheck.


The Torch is published by the State Personnel Department