Benefits for temporary, per diem and less than half time

Employees in temporary, per diem and less than half time positions may have access to many of the same benefits as employees in ongoing positions and if they meet eligibility criteria to participate in employer-provided insurance and retirement plans. Based on the details of your position, you may be eligible for the following benefits.

Employees in temporary, per diem and less than half time positions can establish PEBB insurance eligibility in one of two ways:

• The appointment you are offered meets the eligibility criteria, in which case your eligibility begins when the appointment begins.
• Your work will be tracked by the Benefits Office and once you cross the eligibility threshold, you will be notified of your eligibility through Workday. If eligible, you will have a choice of:

11 health plans*

All plans include prescription drug, vision and mental health coverage.

• Four preferred provider organization (PPO) plans
• Four managed care plans
• Three consumer-directed health plans (CDHP) with health savings accounts

*Only five plans are available to employees who live in southwest Washington and northern Oregon

Three dental plans

Of the plans available:

• One preferred provider plan
• Two managed care plans

Three vision plans

Of the plans available all three are preferred provider plans.

Four pre-tax spending accounts

These accounts allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs and dependent care expenses.

Employee assistance program

There’s an employee assistance program that helps provide mental health counseling for you and your household members; open to all nonpermanent and intermittent employees regardless of PEBB insurance eligibility.

Disability Service Office

Our Disability Service Office provides resources and accommodations to support your workplace accessibility needs that are available to all nonpermanent and intermittent employees regardless of PEBB insurance eligibility.

16 libraries, two art galleries, one museum, one performing arts center and a 230-acre botanic garden open to UW employees

The Whole U

The Whole U is a wellness program by the UW, for the UW and gives you access to:

• Discounts to a network of gyms, fitness studios, trainers and nutritionists
• Hundreds of drop-in sessions offered in-person and on Zoom to recharge during your workday
• UW experts offer wellness guidance through newsletters, lunch and learns and seminars
• Discounts to UW Athletic events, local gyms, fitness studios and more

Six employee affinity groups

Open to all UW employees where you can connect with and build community.

• Asian and Pacific Islander American Faculty and Staff Association
• Black Faculty and Staff Association
• Q Faculty, Staff and Allies Association
• Latinx Faculty and Staff Association
• Native Faculty and Staff Association
• UW Disability Staff and Faculty Association

There is opportunity for step increases and across-the-board increases for temporary, per diem and less than half-time employees. They are also eligible for shift differential and other premiums as applicable.

Staff who work at least 70 hours over any five months within a 12-month period may meet the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan eligibility requirements and can choose from:

• PERS2: defined benefit pension plan (classified staff only)
• PERS 3: hybrid retirement plan that combines a traditional pension plan with investment options that work like a typical retirement plan, such as a 401(k) (classified or professional staff)

Additional employee only supplementary retirement plans

• Save more by enrolling in the optional UW Voluntary Investment Program, a tax-advantaged 403(b) retirement plan that offers an array of mutual funds and annuities.
• Participate in Washington State’s Deferred Compensation Program, a retirement plan that offers you another opportunity to maximize your retirement savings.

Other resources and benefits

Ongoing access to planning tools and resources—ready when you need them: 1:1 financial coaching, retirement planning seminars and customized total compensation statements updated annually.

Paid time away from work

Accrual of sick and vacation time off, prorated based on whether the position is regularly scheduled or nonscheduled and may be eligible for paid holidays and a personal holiday.

Work and life supports

• Hybrid work supports (position specific)
• May meet eligibility for the WA Paid Family & Medical Leave program
• Active parenting listserv
• Expert speakers and panels on parenting and caregiving
• Employee assistance program with seven areas of expertise for comprehensive support for life events and challenges

Financial wellbeing

• A fully subsidized transit pass (U-PASS)
• Home loan discounts, down payment assistance and home buyer education
• Over 300 employee discounts
• Access to the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• If PEBB health insurance eligible:
  • $35,000 of basic life insurance and $5,000 basic AD&D insurance with option to purchase additional insurance
  • Employee-paid and employer-paid long term disability coverage

Career growth

• Professional and personal development training opportunities
• Access to UW Libraries
• Communities of practice in a variety of fields for skill building and mentorship