Employee Handbook

Introduction

All of us at Rose & Kiernan, Inc. work as a group to provide the best service possible to our clients and our communities.  Because giving the best service to others requires a highly disciplined and cooperative effort, we work hard to contribute our best. Our emphasis on cooperation, from the President to the newest staff member, creates an enjoyable work experience with a minimum of frustration.

Over the years we found that, a framework of guidelines and procedures, gives us a better understanding of our benefits and responsibilities and enables us to work together more effectively.  The employee handbook is designed to help you understand the philosophy, practices, requirements, opportunities, and benefits of your employment at Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  As you familiarize yourself with its contents, many of your questions will be answered. If you have concerns that are not addressed in this handbook, feel free to ask your manager/supervisor. This handbook is not a contract. Any contract of employment will be executed in writing between the staff member and the agency. Your specific contract of employment always takes precedence in governing your relationship with Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  The policies and programs in this manual may be changed in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice. While Rose & Kiernan, Inc. believes wholeheartedly in the policies and programs described here, the language is not intended to create, nor should you interpret this to be, a contract between the agency and any one or all of its employees.

The same is true for the basic employment relationship. While we hope that our employment relationship with staff members will be mutually enjoyable and lasting, staff members may terminate their employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, and the agency may do the same. Any modification of this arrangement must be in writing and signed by the President.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. Welcomes You

Agency Team

We are happy to have you join our outstanding group.  Our agency is composed of many individuals who work together to produce the product of which we are most proud - Quality.  This agency has grown through team effort, and it is through team effort that we will continue to grow. We work hard to help each staff member develop the skills and knowledge that foster success for both the individual and the agency.

You will be asked to absorb our philosophy and take advantage of the leadership, guidance, and education offered to all staff members. Your initiative, enthusiasm, and effectiveness in using our resources will be a major factor in determining both your personal success and the success of Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  We are proud of the relationship maintained between management and our staff members. Members of management are always willing to discuss your aspirations, questions, suggestions, and problems. We encourage open discussion of your concerns, and we appreciate your need for confidentiality, when appropriate. We welcome and encourage your ideas. So, welcome to our agency! We look forward to having you with us, and wish you much success.

Agency Philosophy

The mission of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. is to provide insurance, bonds, financial services, employee benefits and risk management products and services to individuals, organizations and businesses.  New York State will be our primary market area, however, we will provide insurance worldwide for our clients.

We will accomplish our mission by:

Providing prompt, efficient and courteous delivery of products and services.

Designing and offering a number of innovated and high quality insurance products and services.

Instituting planned sales and marketing programs.

Striving to operate a profitable agency that places us in the top 25% of our peer agencies countrywide through retention of customers and new business development.

Maintaining both efficient and effective working relationships with all of the markets we represent, all employees and throughout the communities that we serve.

Representing only financially stable insurance carriers.

Providing a positive and professional atmosphere within our total operations.

Continuing the strong traditions and maximizing the many strengths that have been established since our founding in 1869.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. intends to remain independent and to provide for internal ownership and perpetuation.

Our Agency History

For more than one hundred twenty-five years Rose & Kiernan has been the dominant general insurance agency in the Capital District, highly regarded in both community and insurance circles.  It was originally established in Albany in 1869, a short time after the Civil War, by Rufus Rose, who was succeeded by his son, William.  Peter D. Kiernan entered the agency as a partner in 1901 at which time the name became Rose & Kiernan.

The agency was incorporated in 1914 and for the next sixty years was managed by Mr. Kiernan and his son, Peter D. Kiernan, Jr.  In 1974, Mr. Kiernan, Jr. was asked to assume the presidency of a large Albany based bank holding company.  This decision necessitated his divesting himself of his interest in the business, resulting in an offer to sell the agency to the employees.

On May 8, 1974 an agreement was reached with Mr. Kiernan for the purchase of the business by the employees.  Organization meetings were held and Mr. Luke J. Henry, a long-time employee, was elected president.  In October of 1974, the management changed hands and Rose & Kiernan, Inc. became a corporation completely owned and operated by its employees.

Effective May 1, 1987 Rose & Kiernan, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan(ESOP) was formed to perpetuate the agency and create a market for its stock.  Presently the ESOP controls over 30% of the stock in the corporation, with the balance being owned by employees, retirees and/or their families.

From the beginning, the agency prospered and continues to do so.  Expertise in the field of insurance makes Rose & Kiernan, Inc. an outstanding agency and one in which you can take pride.

Agency Practice

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. has a policy of selecting and promoting staff members strictly by merit.  Rose & Kiernan, Inc. complies with the regulations set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Our employment practices prohibit discrimination with respect to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or for any other reason. This policy applies to all phases of employment, from recruitment through, and including, promotion, demotion, compensation, training and termination.

Staff Classifications

Regular Full-Time
One who works 30 or more hours a week regularly and is entitled to full benefits offered by the agency.

Regular Part-Time
One who works less than 30 hours a week regularly.

Those who work an average of 30 hours or more a week are eligible for Group Benefits.

*Normal work week is 37 1/2 hours.

Temporary Staff Member
One who is employed for a limited period. This may include full-time or part-time temporary workers. Temporary staff members are not eligible to receive insurance benefits.

Progression Period

When you are first employed, you will assume "Temporary" status for the first 90 days. This is known as your probation period. During this period, you will work a regular 37 2-hour week (or less, if you are hired as a part-time staff member). You will not be eligible for paid excused absences.  You will be eligible for paid holidays after 30 days of employment.

This 90-day probation period allows both of us to "try each other out" and see if the relationship will be mutually compatible. You will have a chance to become familiar with the people and the work. Your supervisor and co-workers will be available to answer all your questions, as you learn about our agency and your part in it.

At the end of your probation period, a written review will be conducted to assess your progress. Thereafter your performance will be reviewed once a year.

All employees are on probation for the first three months of their employment.  This gives you the opportunity of finding out if you enjoy working with us and want to continue.  It gives us the opportunity to evaluate your performance.  If you fail to qualify for regular full-time status, you will receive a complete and clear explanation.

Salary Status

Exempt
Exempt staff members are paid an annual salary. These positions are determined by job function and wage and hour state and federal regulations.

Non-exempt
Non-exempt staff members are paid on an hourly basis, based on job function and as recognized by state and federal law.

Salary Review
Salaries are reviewed for all employees at the end of the fiscal year during the month of April.

Professionalism

Attitude
The public's image of our agency is set chiefly by the attitude of our personnel. Your willingness to serve, your pleasant manner, and your knowledge of the insurance industry encourage clients to trust us with their insurance needs. So, your friendly, helpful attitude is vital to our success - and yours.

Almost everyone encounters occasional challenges at work that can affect attitudes. The difficulties generally result from poor communication. It is important to solve problems before they are reflected in your attitude and job performance. Your manager can probably help solve a problem. Ask for help when needed.

Work Ethic
Commitment to your group and to your job responsibilities builds your professional image and helps you advance in your career. Professionalism is an essential qualification and work ethic expected of all staff members. As professionals, we expect to turn out work that meets all agency requirements for quality and errors and omission prevention.

Professional Behavior
Professional behavior is always expected when interacting with other staff members, clients, companies, and resource people. Staff members should remember that it is management's responsibility to investigate specific difficulties and to formulate disciplinary actions, as required on a case by case basis. Governmental regulations and the contract of employment supersede the employee handbook.

Confidential Material
All information and records pertaining to policy holders or employees are to be held in the strictest confidence and should not be discussed with anyone unless authorized to do so.

Office Etiquette
Customers, company representatives and others are frequently in the office.  Although we may be informal when we deal with each other, it is expected that executives and officers of the corporation be addressed formally in the presence of people from outside the agency.

Proper Attire
Rose & Kiernan, Inc. staff members are expected to dress appropriately for a business environment on normal business days. This Business Dress is as follows: For men, suit or sport suit with shirt and tie.  For ladies, this includes dresses, suits, dress slacks and appropriate blouse or sweater or jacket.  This does not include items mentioned below as Business Casual or Dress Down.

How we appear or act reflects directly upon Rose & Kiernan, Inc. . The wearing of sneakers, jeans, tight-fitting or low-cut attire is strictly prohibited on normal business days. Staff members coming to work in inappropriate attire will be asked to return home to change. After the first occurrence, the staff member will be charged vacation time for the time missed. Continued failure to dress appropriately can be grounds for termination.

The last Friday of each month has been designated as Dress Down Day.  For a minimum contribution of $3 to the charity of the month, employees may dress down.

Every other Friday is designated as Business Casual.

Business Casual

For mean an open collar shirt, no tie or jacket and dress slacks or casual slacks and shoes. For women, dress slacks, casual skirts, or dress shorts, blouse or sweater and shoes.  Business casual does not include jeans, tee shirts, tank tops, shorts or sneakers.

Dress Down

For men and women casual slacks, jeans (that are not torn & worn and that fit properly), Bermuda shorts, open neck shirts or golf shirts or blouses for the ladies and shoes or sneakers.  This does not include tee shirts, tank tops or short shorts.

The Workday

Work Time
Rose & Kiernan, Inc. is open five days a week,  Monday through Friday. The hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a total of 37.5 hours. Staff members are expected to be at their work area, ready to begin work, by 8:15 a.m. unless otherwise assigned.

All non-exempt employees are required to complete and sign weekly time slips which should be turned in to your supervisor on each Friday.  During working hours if you have occasion to leave the office, please notify your supervisor and the switchboard.

Overtime
There may be situations (both mandatory and voluntary) when overtime is necessary. Non-exempt staff are eligible for overtime and will be paid according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The overtime rate equals one and one half times the regular rate of pay, for all hours exceeding a 40-hour workweek. Overtime is paid in the pay period following the period in which it is worked.  Exempt staff members are not eligible to be compensated for overtime. All overtime must be authorized in writing and pre-approved by the manager.

Outside Jobs
If it should be necessary to supplement your income outside your regular working hours at Rose & Kiernan, Inc., it will not create a problem so long as it does not interfere with the performance of your duties here.

Lunch
Lunch hours are scheduled between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., except on payday when they will be from 11:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 1:30.  Your lunch time is normally 45 minutes. This time may be spent away from the office, or you may use our facilities.  Lunch times are scheduled by your supervisor so that client service can continue without interruption.  Eating lunch at your desk or in the conference rooms is not permitted.

Breaks
Everyone needs to take a short break periodically. Limit break time to no more than 15 minutes away from your work area. Morning breaks are from 9:45 to 10:00 or 10:15 to 10:30 and afternoon breaks are from 2:30 to 2:45 or 3:00 to 3:15.  Be sure adequate coverage for client service is provided while you are away from your desk for any reason.

Meetings
Group meetings are essential components of good communication and productive decision making. Reserve a conference room for your meeting.  Since the rooms are used by many staff members, leave the room ready for the next meeting. For example, if flip charts are used, remove used pages. Observe set time limits and return to your work area promptly after meetings.

Housekeeping
You are assigned a workstation with necessary office supplies, according to your assignment. You are responsible for maintaining the order and cleanliness of your work station. Because of fire regulations, paper should not be placed on the floor. Your work area must be neat and orderly, with a clear desktop when you leave the office in the evening. Keep transactional files and workflow up to date. Organize your daily work to maximize productivity.

Staff members are expected to care for, and appropriately maintain, equipment assigned to them by the agency. If damage or loss occurs due to negligence, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. expects staff members to replace the equipment at their expense. When staff members leave our company, we expect all equipment to be returned in reasonable condition prior to the last day of employment.  While working in the office, it is important that we remember to maintain shared equipment and to notify the appropriate parties promptly when difficulties occur. It is not the staff members' responsibility to perform maintenance on equipment, but it is our responsibility to replace paper in copiers, clean up common areas used, and be considerate of others when using common equipment.

Facilities
Along with the requisite work areas, our offices offer certain amenities. The kitchen area includes a refrigerator and microwave oven for your use. Coffee, sugar, and creamer are available for your use through the coffee club.  Your responsibilities include maintaining the kitchen area in clean, working order. Eating should be limited to the kitchen area.  Eating is not permitted in the conference rooms.

Administrative Matters

Payroll

Payroll is processed bi-weekly by ADP and distributed Fridays. All requests for changes in the payroll status must be reported to the benefits administrator for processing. This includes changes in marital status, residence, number of W4 allowances, and additional withholding requests regarding taxes, payroll savings, etc.

Payroll Direct Deposit
If you choose to participate, a portion of your paycheck (or all of it) may be deposited into a checking or savings account at a bank or other financial institution of your choice. (Please note that the bank or financial institution must be a member of an automated clearing house.) To initiate the process, contact the Benefits Administrator for the proper forms. Direct deposit will take effect the next payroll after notification.  You can have your check deposited into as many as three accounts.

We have also arranged for direct deposit with Troy Savings Bank.  As a participant in this program you can receive preferential rates on certain loans, mortgage and investment programs and free travelers checks.

Advances in Salaries
Advances or loans on salaries are discouraged.  If it is necessary, as is sometimes the case, it may be arranged by approval of the Treasurer.

Payroll Deduction
The law requires deductions for Social Security and Federal and State income taxes.  If you so authorize, additional deductions will be made for dependent's health insurance, life insurance, savings plan, United Way and other items which may come up from time to time.  Employee contribution for Disability Insurance is also a deduction.

Section 125

Effective July 1, 1995 Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will implement a Flexible Spending account for Health Care reimbursement and Dependent Care reimbursement.  These plans will coexist with our current Premium Only Plan.  For detailed information, please refer to the Section 125 handbook provided through Human Resources.

In The Office

Mail
Personal mail should be sent to your home.  Please do not attempt to send personal mail through the corporate mail system.

Telephone
In answering the phone, be friendly and businesslike and give your department or your name.  Office phones are for business calls.  Personal calls tie up the phone and interfere with your work.  Please limit your personal phone calls to emergencies.

When using the "hands free" feature of your telephone, please identify yourself.  First and foremost this is a business office.  Your business becomes everybody's business when it comes through loud and clear.

Office Equipment
Business machines are expensive and our service contracts maintain their good working order.  You can help by handling the equipment with care, practicing good housekeeping and reporting problems immediately.  Please limit your use of business equipment to business only.

Accident on the Job
Since we are subject to Workers' Compensation laws of the State of New York, all accidents which occur while working, no matter how minor they may seem, should be reported immediately to your supervisor and Human Resources.  If necessary, arrangements for immediate medical attention will be made.

Personal Insurance             
Rose & Kiernan makes available to every regular full-time and part-time employee who has completed the three month probationary period, their automobile and homeowners insurance at cost.  Other types of insurance are also available at considerable savings to the employee.

Employees will be paid commissions quarterly on their own personal insurance policies.  Commissions will not be paid on commercial, landlord or policies in the name of other family members.

To receive your commission you will need to make a copy of your check or receipt (if paying by cash), indicate what type of policy you are paying, and submit it to the Personal Commission Box located in the Accounting Department, at the time you make the payment.

Do not submit copies of insurance policies or remittance copies of invoices as they can not be accepted as proof of payment.  It is not necessary to submit copies of life insurance premium payments.  These commission amounts are supplied by the Life Department.

Please attempt to submit your commissions in a timely manner.  When commissions are submitted for previous periods it creates additional work in order to process the payment for you.

Commissions will be paid quarterly.  If for any reason, the copy of your insurance payment does not make it into the appropriate quarters payments, it will be paid the following quarter.

Commissions will be paid for:

1st quarter in April

2nd quarter in July

3rd quarter in October

4th quarter in January

Staff/Human Resources Files

A confidential personnel file is kept for each staff member. This automated file is readily available to managers, government inspectors, and YOU. Every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in the file is accurate, complete, and contains only information specifically related to your job or job performance.

It is the intention of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. that files remain entirely confidential. Information contained in these files will not be issued to others without the specific, written consent of the staff member involved. Occasionally an outside source will call to verify the employment or salary of a staff member. (Such requests generally arise from credit applications.) It is the practice of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. only to verify the information given. Written requests, along with written consent, become a permanent part of the staff member's file.

It is important to be sure your address, phone number, and the name of the person to contact in case of an emergency are always kept up-to-date. Please be sure to notify the benefits administrator immediately if any information changes.

Time Off

Paid Holidays

Generally six paid holidays are scheduled annually. Specific dates are announced each year, but the observances may include: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.   Holidays that fall on a Saturday will be observed the preceding Friday. Holidays that fall on a Sunday will be observed the following Monday.

Vacation

Vacation Guidelines

It is the firm belief of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. that everyone derives a greater benefit from taking vacation periods of several days rather than scattered individual days. It is also easier for a service industry such as ours to plan for coverage and maintain quality service during periods of absence. For these reasons we have established the following guidelines regarding the use of vacation.

- Vacation days must be used in 1/2 day time periods only.

-No more than 5 vacation days may be taken as single vacation days.

-At least one week of vacation must be taken as 5 days in a row.

-Single vacation days must be approved at least 3 working days in advance.

-Vacation periods of 1 week or more should be submitted for  management approval by May 10th.

-December is an extremely busy month at Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  Extended vacations over the holiday period must be requested prior to October 1 and are at the discretion of your supervisor.

-Requests for single vacation days during the month of December should be submitted as early as possible, and no later than December 1st.

-Approvals for regular vacations will be given on a first come, first accommodated basis. When more than one request is made for the same date(s) from the same department, priority will be given according to agency seniority.

-Requests for vacation time in excess of one week must be approved by the department supervisor.

-The vacation period is June through September.  Requests for vacation time other than the usual vacation period should be discussed in advance with your supervisor.

Vacation Policy

Vacations will be earned during the current year, at the rates outlined below. Vacation days may not be accumulated from year to year. No carryover of vacation time from one year to another is permitted.  Vacation will be advanced according to years of employment, or employment date (for new staff). If a staff member terminates employment, payment will be made for days earned but not used. Days used in excess of those earned will be deducted from the final paycheck.

The following table will be used to compute vacations:

Anyone employed after May 1st and prior to September 1st will receive 1 week vacation following their probationary period.  Persons employed between October 1st and May 1st will receive 2 weeks vacation in the current year following their probationary period.

Absences from work

We depend on you to be in the office at all times during your regularly scheduled work hours, but we know that this is occasionally not possible. So that we may plan around your absence, notify your manager in advance if you expect to be out of the office.  If you are unable to report for work on a given day, please phone the office by 8:30 and relate this information to your supervisor.  Please give us the reason and tell us when you expect to return to work.  If you do not notify the office of your inability to come to work, your pay will be reduced by the time taken, regardless of any unused personal or vacation time.  If it is necessary for you to leave the building during the workday, notify the receptionist of your expected time of return.

Jury Duty
We believe it is your responsibility as a citizen to accept jury duty.  If you are called for jury duty, you will be allowed time off with full pay.  You are expected to report to work any day you are excused early.  It is your responsibility to notify the payroll person of absences related to jury duty.

Blood Bank 
Employees will be paid their regular salary for time lost during scheduled working hours while donating blood under a local Red Cross Bank program.

Inclement Weather
The offices of  Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will not close because of inclement weather. Yet, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. does not expect staff members to jeopardize their safety in order to report to work. If you have completed your progression period, you may use a personal day, or you may elect to take the day off without pay.

Illness
If you become ill while you are in the office and feel it is necessary to leave, be sure to notify your manager and the receptionist before leaving. If you are unable to report to work because of illness, notify the appropriate staff member via voice mail and leave a message.  When you are absent from work for an illness, time off will be charged against any applicable personal time.  Should an illness extend into a disability claim situation, the disability waiting period will be charged against the employee's personal leave time.

Late Arrival
Accepting a job includes accepting the responsibility of arriving to work on time. If you are going to be late arriving at work, notify your manager the same way you report any other absences.  Personal time cannot be used to compensate for late arrivals if your supervisor has not been previously notified.

Personal Days
Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will compensate all non-exempt employees, up to six days annually, for time lost due to illness or personal reasons.  The six days will be earned on January 1st if they have been an eligible employee by November 1st of the preceding year.  Those employees who do not use the allowable time will be allowed to carry forward the unused time into the next calendar year, but not to exceed six days.  Time taken in excess of accrued days will be deducted from the employee's salary.  Personal days cannot be added to vacation time.

New non-exempt employees, after a probationary period of three months, may accumulate personal time at the rate of one day for each two months.  During this probationary period, the employee will receive no pay for time lost, nor will this time be considered in determining the accrued personal time.

If on termination of employment with Rose & Kiernan, Inc. an employee has been paid for more time than they have earned in the calendar year, an adjustment of this excess pay will be made in the final paycheck.  No payment for unused personal time will be made upon termination of employment.

Once the 90-day probation period is completed, you will earn personal days at the rate of 6 per year. From that point, 6 absences will be permitted annually.  If you wish, you may accumulate up to 6 unused absences per year to be used in ensuing years. No pay will be issued for unused absences.  Personal time must be used in a minimum of 15 minute intervals.

Personal days must be specifically approved by management; otherwise they will be considered unexcused absences and you will not be paid for the time lost. Please notify your manager as far in advance as possible.

Bereavement
In the event of the death of your spouse or minor child you are eligible to receive up to 5 consecutive paid days of leave following the death. In the event of the death of your mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, parent of a spouse, or a relative living with you, you are eligible to receive up to 3 consecutive paid days, including the day of the funeral.

Leave of Absence
From time to time, it is necessary for a staff member to be absent for an extended period. Requests for medical or personal leave of absence will be granted at the option of Rose & Kiernan, Inc..  The Family Leave Act provides up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave during any twelve month period where such leave is made necessary by the birth or adoption of a child, or the serious health condition of the staff member or an immediate family member.

Leave should be requested by the staff member in written form and given to the manager. The request must state the reason for the leave and, the dates on which the leave will begin and end. Personal leaves are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the manager's decision is final. The benefits administrator can assist you in the preparation of this request.

Military Leave
Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will allow up to two weeks annually for military training leave (reserve or National Guard) and pay the difference between military pay and allowance and regular weekly base pay.

In the event you are called to active military service, excluding annual training periods or warfare, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will pay the difference between your military pay and allowances and your regular weekly base pay for a period not to exceed one month.

If you are called to active military service in time of war, a leave of absence is granted and your full seniority rights are retained.  This military leave of absence begins on the date of your separation from the company.  Your group life and health insurance terminate on this date, but this leave is not considered a break in continuous Rose & Kiernan, Inc. service for retirement and other purposes.

Upon discharge from the service, you are assured of re-employment with the company, provided you request such re-employment within 90 days of your military separation (30 days if your period of military service was for six months or less).  The company guarantees any job to which you are assigned will be at least equivalent in status, classification and salary to that held before your military service began.  Your group life and health insurance will resume on your first day of re-employment.

Family and Medical Leave
Employees who have been employed for at least one (1) year, and for at least 1,250 hours during the preceding 12-month period are eligible for family and medical leave.  For employees not eligible for family and medical leave, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will review business considerations and the individual circumstances involved.  Except for those employees designated as "highly compensated employees," employees will be returned to the same or to an equivalent position.

Family or medical leave will consist of appropriate accrued paid and unpaid leave.  If leave is requested for an employee's own serious health condition, the employee must use all of his or her accrued paid vacation leave.  If leave is requested for any of the other reasons listed below, an employee must use all of his or her accrued paid vacation.

All employees who meet the applicable time of service requirements may be granted family or medical leave consisting of appropriate accrued paid leave and unpaid leave, for a period of twelve (12) weeks (during any 12-month period) for the following reasons:

(1) the birth of the employee's child and in order to care for the child;

(2) the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care;

(3) to care for a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition; or

(4) a serious health condition that renders the employee incapable of performing the functions of his or her job.

The entitlement to leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care will expire twelve (12) months from the date of birth or placement.

In all cases, an employee requesting leave must complete an "Application for Family and Medical Leave" and return it to the Director of Benefits/Personnel.  The completed application must state the reason for the leave, the duration of the leave, and the starting and ending dates of the leave.

An employee intending to take family or medical leave because of an expected birth or placement, or because of a planned medical treatment, must submit an application for leave at least thirty (30) days before the leave is to begin.  If leave is to begin within thirty (30) days, an employee must give notice to his or her supervisor and to the Director of Benefits/Personnel as soon as the necessity for the leave arises.

An application for leave based on the serious health condition of the employee or the employee's spouse, child or parent must also be accompanied by a health care provider.  The certification must state the date on which the health condition commenced, the probable duration of the condition, and the appropriate medical facts regarding the condition.

If the employee is needed to care for a spouse, child or parent, the certification must so state, along with an estimate of the amount of time the employee will be needed.  If the employee has a serious health condition, the certification must state that the employee cannot perform the functions of his or her job.

During a period of family or medical leave, an employee will remain under Rose & Kiernan, Inc.'s health plan under the same conditions that applied before leave commenced.  To continue health coverage, the employee must continue to pay any contributions that he or she made to the plan before taking leave.

An employee is not entitled to the accrual of any seniority or employment benefits that would have occurred if not for the taking of the leave.  An employee who takes family or medical leave will not lose any employment benefits that accrued before the date leave began.

An employee eligible for family and medical leave - with the exception of those employees designated as "highly compensated employees" - will be restored to his or her old position or to a position with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.  Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  cannot guarantee that an employee will be returned to his or her original job.  A determination as to whether a position is an "equivalent position" will be made by Rose & Kiernan, Inc.

Benefits

Certain additional benefits are provided for you and your family by Rose & Kiernan, Inc.  Among the benefits are medical insurance, retirement plans and life insurance plans.  Detailed information regarding each of these benefits is presented in the booklets and other publications associated with each plan. You will be eligible for other programs as you accrue seniority. After the successful completion of your probationary period, your manager will review the benefits plan with you.

Medical Benefits

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. provides all regular full-time employees with health insurance.  Rose & Kiernan, Inc. pays a portion of the insurance for both single and family coverage, the remainder is paid by the employee.  These premiums will be deducted from your salary.

These coverages become effective on the first day of the month following active employment.  All full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for coverage.

Interim Disability Benefits

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. provides a unique interim disability plan to compensate the employee during the 90 day waiting period before the Long Term Disability Plan becomes effective.

Eligibility

-Minimum of one year employment

-Proof of disability as determined by a doctor to be eligible for State Disability Benefits.  We reserve the right to a second examination by a doctor provided by the company.

Schedule of Benefits

-From 1 to 5 years employment:   

30 days full base pay - 60 days 60% base pay

-From 5 to 10 years employment:

30 days full base pay - 30 days 80% base pay

30 days 60% pay

-Over 10 years employment:

30 days full base pay - 60 days 80% base pay

Benefits received under this plan will be reduced by any amounts recoverable under other insurance plans, i.e. Workers' Compensation, DBL, etc. and personal time, except individual plans paid fully by the employee.

Long Term Disability

The Long Term Disability Plan is with the UNUM Life Insurance Company.  The plan provides benefits after a 90 day waiting period, to age 65.  All full-time employees are eligible for the plan after one year's service.

The benefit is integrated with Primary Social Security only.

For more detailed information, please refer to your Long Term Disability booklet.

UNUM Long Term Care

To view the current Rose & Kiernan, Inc. UNUM policy, please see the file below:

UNUM - Long Term Care

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Retirement Plan

The purpose of the Retirement Plan is to provide income for our employees during their retirement years.  The company pays the entire cost of the plan.

An employee is eligible to participate in the plan on the first day of the month following a year's service when he meets the following requirements:

-They have been an employee for at least one year, provided they have had at least 1,000 hours of service within such period, and

-They have attained their 21st birthday, and

-Provided, they have not reached their 65th birthday on or before their date of employment.

A normal retirement date is the first of the month coinciding with or next following your 65th birthday.  For more complete details of the plan, please consult your retirement plan booklet or direct any questions to the Treasurer.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

On May 1, 1987 Rose & Kiernan, Inc. formed our ESOP.  This plan supplements the benefit from our Retirement Plan.  More importantly it allows all regular full-time employees to realize the benefits of ownership.

We believe that ESOP companies are more successful.  Our company will be more successful when the employees share in the good or misfortune of the corporation.  The company pays the entire cost of this plan.

An employee is eligible to participate in the plan on the first day of the month following two years of service when he/she meets the following requirements:

-They have been an employee for at least two years, provided they have had at least 1,000 hours of service within such period, and

-They have attained their 21st birthday.

For more complete details of the plan, please see ESOP, consult your ESOP booklet or direct any questions to the Treasurer.

Group Life Insurance

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. provides life and A D & D insurance on all regular full-time employees at no cost to the employee.  You will be covered after thirty days from the date of your employment.  You will be covered for an amount equal to approximately two times your annual salary, not to exceed $300,000.  Please consult your Group Life booklet for a detailed description of the life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefits.

Optional dependent's life insurance and A D & D coverage is available at a nominal cost which will be deducted from your pay.  Additional life insurance is available to employees at various increments.  Please consult your group life insurance booklet.

Social Security

Social Security (Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) is the Federal program covering:

-Old age benefits.

-Disability benefits.

-Survivors benefits.

Benefits from your account may be paid to you, your spouse or dependent children or your parents, based on the circumstances when the benefits are applied for. 

You and Rose & Kiernan, Inc. pay for Social Security benefits through a tax based on your earnings.

Retirement

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. provides the Retirement Plan and the ESOP so that you will be provided for in your retirement.  Along with these two plans the Board of Directors has implement the following effective January 1, 1997.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will pay 80% of health care premiums for employees who directly retire from active service, have attained age 65 and have completed 20 years of continuous service.  The retiree must enroll in Medicare.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will pay 50% of health care premiums for employees who directly retire from active service, have attained age 55 and have completed 20 years of continuous service.  Upon age 65 Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will pay 80% of the premium provided the retiree is enrolled in Medicare.

Employees who do not meet the required years of service are still eligible to participate in our group programs, but pay 100% of the premium.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc.s portion of the monthly health insurance premium will be capped at $185.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. Will pay 100% of the retirement life benefit for employees who directly retire from active service, have attained age 65 and