The Bayard Team consisting of Bill, Kathleen, and Valerie has answered the questions from the suggestion can. Here's the responses:Would the company consider changing the way sick time is accrued? Why are we not given the time at the beginning of the year the same way we receive our vacation time?Generally speaking, a company is not obligated to provide sick time or vacation time, but Bayard voluntarily does this as a mark of appreciation for its employees. Both forms of time off are granted under different conditions; for example: vacation time is based on years of service and is on a use it or lose it basis. In other words, vacation allocated for the year must be used by Jan 31st of the following year. Sick time accrues at a consistent rate, not based on years of service. Unused sick time however is allowed to accrue and carry over year to year up to a maximum of 210 hours. Sick time is intended to give employees relief from real illness – up to a point. A manager may request a doctor’s excuse from an employee taking a sick day. The company is not likely to change the manner in which sick time is accrued because Bayard really does not want employees to use sick time like vacation time. The accrual method protects employees, too: Should all of this allocated time be used up early in the year, an employee would end up losing pay should he or she fall unavoidably ill later in the year.
Is it possible for employees to do anonymous evaluations of their supervisors?This is an intriguing question. Anonymous evaluations are used in academia and in the consumer environment to measure marketplace reactions to goods and services. While management could conceivably be considered a service, it isn’t exactly a commodity – except for the employer itself, in this case Bayard Inc. Our employer does choose to evaluate its managers from above; so, managers do not have an option to evaluate anonymously either. But, managers themselves hold hold annual reviews for employees, and this is a good time for employees to share their own views directly with their managers. These evaluations, of course, are not anonymous. Since managers need to hold employees accountable, anonymity injects a potential for negative motivation into what should be a process of trust. However, assuming the employee’s motive is pure and the manager is open to growth, an alternative could be to leave a typed suggestion on your manager’s desk or in his/her mailbox. Most of us – well aware of our imperfections – appreciate a kindly worded and objective observation intended to improve our performance, behavior, and/or skill.
Why does Bayard spend $2 plus printing, handling, etc. to send each of us a copy of Breves when most of us cannot read French? Sending 3 or 4 in one envelope and leaving these in a public place would be more cost-effiencient.
Probably, corporate sends in the current manner to recognize each of us as individuals; this is intended as a form of cultural respect. In the same way, our openness to the French language is a form of cultural respect on our part. Beginning in Fall, Bayard New London will begin hosting weekly French lessons to better facilitate mutual corporate communication. These classes will be wholly voluntary, and they will prove helpful to all of us trying to read our Breves!
When we go to a doctor’s office, are we supposed to present the Oxford card, the Exante MasterCharge, or both? When we get a prescription, do we present the Oxford card, the Exante MasterCharge, or both? Are we supposed to use our own cash to pay for doctors or meds? And, if we don’t have enough money to pay the doctor – what do we do? How do we make sure that our expenditures are credited against our deductible? Do the Health Savings Accounts exist? If so, how can we get the money?
Present your Oxford card first as you would any other insurance card at your doctor’s office & pharmacy. This ensures that the expense will be recorded against your deductible. Once the total deductible of $1,100/$2,200 (single/family) is exhausted the Oxford insurance then covers all doctors’ visits, and there is only the prescription co-payment. Your Health Savings Account does exist. The Exante card that you have is a debit card, not a credit card. And, you draw from your HSA when you use the Exante card. If you still have not received your PIN, you will need to call Exante at the number on the back of your card. We cannot call for you as the HSA is an account owned personally by you. Bayard is only allowed to make deposits into your account.
When you go to the pharmacy; after presenting your Oxford card, use your Exante MasterCharge to pay for the prescription. The card draws the full amount from your HSA.
When you go to the doctor; present only your Oxford card at the time of service. You and your doctor will receive an EOB (Explanation of Benefits). After your doctor’s office receives their copy of the EOB they will bill you for the amount due. When you receive this bill, you then use the Exante card to pay it.
Keep in mind that Bayard has deposited $850/$1,700 (single/family) into your Exante HSA account on your behalf. Unless you arrange to deposit the difference between this and your deductible (either as a lump sum or through bi-weekly payroll deductions) this money will run out before the insurance coverage starts paying. The HSA is a tax-free account, so there are some advantages to having this money drawn from your pay or simply depositing some cash into the HSA in a lump sump, providing you are able to do so.
Keep in mind, though, that eye exams are not covered at all by Oxford and do not apply to your deductible. You can use HSA money to pay for ‘qualified medical expenses’ even though they are not covered by the Oxford insurance plan. Keep in mind however that using the HSA money for these ‘qualified expenses’ increases the gap between the amount in your HSA account and reaching your Oxford deductible.
Candy DishA big thank you goes to George for your faithfulness and generosity in keeping the candy dish filled. You bring some great stuff, and we really appreciate it. Thank you Barbara for bringing the Easter egg M&Ms. They're delicious!
