If your status changes in any way you should do a quick benefits check.
Here are some examples:
- Has your part-time employment increased to more than half time?
- Have you changed from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
Briefly, faculty and staff who work less than half time earn no benefits (other than entitlements such as Social Security, state unemployment, and workers compensation). Employment at the half-time level carries the benefits of pension, and where applicable, vacation, sick, and holiday leaves. Health, life and total disability (TD) insurance come with three-quarter employment.
If you are uncertain about your employment status, check with the benefits office.
Keep in mind that if your spouse’s employment status changes it may affect your employment status also. For example, a change in either your or your spouse’s employment status qualifies you to change your election of level of insurance or FSA coverage on the college group policy; it may also affect your tax withholding.
Obviously resigning, retiring, or getting fired constitute a change in your employment status. Be sure to check on the benefits implications of such changes prior to making a major decision.