The New Job
Jul. 19th, 2004 08:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
judecorpI went to orientation for my new job today, which means that today was the first day that I am getting paid. (Joy!) Orientation was largely the boring waste of time I thought it would be, filled with lectures on Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Workplace Behavior (alright, alright, I get it, I'm inappropriate!), the history of the organization, agency benefits and policies, and other boringness. There was much formage to fill out. At least we got free sammiches for lunch. That made up for the fact that I had to get up at 7am so I could get to North Station by 8:40. (YAWN)
The organization definitely seems stable and well-managed. People tend to stay for many years, and they even have employee referral bonuses, which is somewhat cool. However, the benefits leave little to be desired, which is frustrating. There are so many waiting periods - TWO YEARS for life insurance and long-term disability, 90 days for health insurance, 6 months for any vacation time, etc. The worst, though, is the cost of health insurance. The agency pays 65% of the premium for the first year and 75% after that. And since they have an HMO that has two choices (Individual or Family, rather than Individual, Individual +1, and Family) the "Family" price is outrageous. If I were to choose the cheapest plan for Jen and myself, the plan with the $2500/year family deductible, the high co-pays, and NO hospital or surgical coverage, it would cost me $65/week. (!!!) The next step up, with no deductible and hospital coverage, is $85/week. How on earth could I possibly pay that with a social worker salary? UGH.
I forgot to bring the checkbook so I couldn't sign up for direct deposit. On the cool side, the pay is weekly so that would mean less waiting for that first check. On the yuck side, did I mention the health insurance costs? YOWCH. So I didn't sign up for health insurance right now - I have to see what Jen will be offered.
I met the other girl who started at my program today - she sat next to me at orientation. Her name is Julie (oh, the horrors) and she just got her MSW and she seems like a nice girl. We make the same salary, though, and I have 2 years of post-MSW experience. FIE! What's up with that?
Oooh, it's almost time for "For Love Or Money." I am officially a loser.
The organization definitely seems stable and well-managed. People tend to stay for many years, and they even have employee referral bonuses, which is somewhat cool. However, the benefits leave little to be desired, which is frustrating. There are so many waiting periods - TWO YEARS for life insurance and long-term disability, 90 days for health insurance, 6 months for any vacation time, etc. The worst, though, is the cost of health insurance. The agency pays 65% of the premium for the first year and 75% after that. And since they have an HMO that has two choices (Individual or Family, rather than Individual, Individual +1, and Family) the "Family" price is outrageous. If I were to choose the cheapest plan for Jen and myself, the plan with the $2500/year family deductible, the high co-pays, and NO hospital or surgical coverage, it would cost me $65/week. (!!!) The next step up, with no deductible and hospital coverage, is $85/week. How on earth could I possibly pay that with a social worker salary? UGH.
I forgot to bring the checkbook so I couldn't sign up for direct deposit. On the cool side, the pay is weekly so that would mean less waiting for that first check. On the yuck side, did I mention the health insurance costs? YOWCH. So I didn't sign up for health insurance right now - I have to see what Jen will be offered.
I met the other girl who started at my program today - she sat next to me at orientation. Her name is Julie (oh, the horrors) and she just got her MSW and she seems like a nice girl. We make the same salary, though, and I have 2 years of post-MSW experience. FIE! What's up with that?
Oooh, it's almost time for "For Love Or Money." I am officially a loser.
