Incoming Postdocs

All employees at USF are required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program within 30 days of hire. Employees may have their paycheck deposited directly into the financial institution account of their choice. Paydays are every other Friday.

Postdoctoral scholars are eligible to receive their regular biweekly pay in the event of an emergency closing of the university.

The University of South Florida is pleased to announce a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers a more comprehensive suite of services to help you live a better, healthier life. The new program will be offered through Magellan Health Services and will include services such as qualified child and elder care referrals, adoption information and resources, legal consultation, financial services consultation, family and relationship issues, work/life balance, stress management, health and wellness, grief and loss, depression and anxiety, alcohol or drug concerns, and dealing with conflict or violence. These services are free of charge to all postdoctoral scholars and their spouses, domestic partners, dependents and others in their household. Contact the Employee Assistance Program office at 813-974-5469 or view the EAP flyer by clicking here.

A variety of local companies and services offer discounts to USF employees with a USF ID card, including area theme parks, cell phone providers, restaurants and much more.

Effective July 1, 2009, postdoctoral scholars and their eligible family members became eligible to participate in the USF health insurance program. The employee must enroll within 60 days of beginning employment at USF, and a portion of the premiums is paid by USF. For more information, including how to enroll in benefits, contact a USF Benefits Representative.

Postdoctoral scholars (salaried temporary employees) working their regularly required work schedule are paid for holidays. University offices are closed on the official university holidays.

Effective July 1, 2009, postdoctoral scholars receive ten (10) days of paid time off (PTO) per calendar year. PTO may be used for vacation, sick or personal time off at the discretion of the employee with supervisor approval. PTO may be used in four (4) and eight (8) hour increments only. PTO is not carried over from year to year. Any unused PTO at the end of the calendar year is forfeited. Unused PTO time will not be paid out at the time of separation from employment.

Below is a chart that indicates the number of PTO days that you will be eligible for in your first year of employment with the university (dependent upon the month you begin your employment). Every year thereafter, your PTO bank will automatically be credited with ten (10) days in January to be used during that calendar year. Postdoctoral scholars appointed at 0.50 to 0.99 FTE would receive a prorated allocation. Postdoctoral scholars appointed at less than 0.50 FTE do not receive PTO.

Paid Time Off is requested via GEMS Self Service. Visit the USF HR website to request leave.

Effective July 1, 2009 postdoctoral scholars and their eligible family members became eligible to participate in the life insurance program by paying the full premium (based on amount of coverage and/or the age of insured).

Universal Life Extra Insurance is a flexible premium life insurance policy that is guaranteed to stay in force throughout the life of the primary insured. As long as the premium is paid consistently on time, the policy will not lapse and premiums will never increase. There is no maturity date, so even though premiums end at age 100, protection continues. Coverage allows for the adjustment of the death benefit as needs change. The plan is portable upon leaving USF with no increase in rates. The plan features Guaranteed Issue Coverage for eligible employees up to four times salary, to a maximum of $250,000 and for eligible spouses up to $25,000. Employees may enroll within 60 days of beginning employment at USF. To enroll, contact the Gabor Agency.

Effective July 1, 2009 postdoctoral scholars and their eligible family members became eligible to participate in the long-term disability insurance program by paying the full premium. Gabor's disability insurance policy provides an inexpensive way to protect your income, your family, and yourself from loss due to an unexpected illness or injury.

• Replaces 60% of your income tax-free to a maximum of $15,000 per month* payable to Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA**).
• Pays an additional 11% towards an annuity contract if disabled more than 12 months.
• Benefits begin after either 30 or 90 days, according to the elimination or waiting period you choose.
• Covers 80% to a maximum of $20,000 to SSNRA for "catastrophic disability***."
• Includes a Lifetime Benefit of 60% of your income to a maximum of $15,000 monthly starting at Social Security Normal Retirement Age in the event of "catastrophic disability."
• Is available through convenient payroll deduction. No paper bills to pay.

Detailed information about the insurance may be found in the policy brochure or available on Gabor's website www.gaboragency.com.

For more information, contact Human Resources Tampa campus (including USF Health): 813-974-2970 or USF St. Petersburg: 727-553-4105.

• Tax Sheltered Annuities and Mutual Funds (403b) — pre-tax
• An annuity is a voluntary, before tax payroll reduction plan, whereby you designate an amount of money from each paycheck to be set-aside in an account for future retirement use. Dollars may be contributed on a pre-tax basis thus deferring contributions from current federal income taxation. You may authorize or suspend your deferrals at any time without penalty. Any earnings accumulate without current federal income taxation until withdrawn. Loans and certain withdrawals permitted. Annuities consist of two phases: an accumulation period in which payments are made into an account, and the payout period, which is in accordance with options offered by the provider company. You can contribute any amount up to the maximum contribution allowed by the IRS. Each person's limit is based on individual information.
• Deferred Compensation
• The State of Florida offers a deferred compensation plan, which allows employees the opportunity to save an amount from each salary warrant and postpone payment of taxes until a later date.
• U.S. Savings Bonds — post tax
• Savings Bonds may be purchased through post-tax payroll deduction. There are two types: Series I bonds which are purchased at full price and Series EE bonds that are purchased for 50% of the face value of the bond. They offer competitive, market–based rates.

Postdoctoral scholars do not participate in Social Security. Instead they are enrolled in the Temporary Employee Retirement Plan (TERP). See information on TERP below. For questions relating to employment and/or immigration status, please contact International Services.

Postdoctoral scholars participate in USF's qualified retirement plan for temporary employees not covered by the State Retirement System. Instead of paying 6.2% Social Security taxes post-tax, postdoctoral scholars contribute 7.5% of their pretax wages into an investment account in their name. Employees are immediately vested and all investments are controlled by the participant and are completely portable when they leave the university.

All employees are covered by the Florida Unemployment Compensation Law. Unemployment insurance provides income on a temporary basis to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and who are available and able to work.

The USF Club was established to encourage and promote social contact, good fellowship and the exchange of ideas. Annual Membership is $75.00. Membership is available to all employees, alumni association members, and retirees.

Employees who are injured or become ill due to work-related circumstances are entitled to certain benefits including treatment for the injury or illness at USF's expense. Under Workers' Compensation Insurance, employees are entitled to five benefits:

1. Medical Treatment
2. Light Duty
3. Disability Leave
4. Impairment Benefits
5. Attendant Care