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.
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no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 01:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 01:45 am (UTC)I would have paid the full cost of my ER visit, and it still would be nowhere near kicking in. Whatever Jen gets, go with it.
If you end up just getting catastrophe coverage on the private market, I know someone who is self-employed and can point you in the right direction.
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 02:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 03:12 am (UTC)On the other end, I imagine that domestic partner benefits will soon become a thing of the past here since "they" will start expecting people to get married.
Actually, I'm not even 100% sure that my new job /offers/ DP benefits, because you have to wait 90 days to get insurance and we will be married by then, so I didn't even ask. (But a lot of social service agencies do.)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 03:15 am (UTC)Actually, that's not true. I wish healthcare were free for crying out loud, so that this isn't even a frickin' issue.
(The whole reason Jen and I are looking into joint coverage is that she might be contracting/temping and will thus have no benefits. Otherwise we'll probably just each elect single coverage because it's cheaper.)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 03:15 am (UTC)(Not that a week of work will cover rent...)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 03:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 06:36 am (UTC)There's a date? And it's less than 90 days away?
I understand maybe not having a full-blown wedding, given how expensive those are, but is there at least a party planned? :)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 07:29 am (UTC)But that would be SOCIALISM! ::gasp::
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 12:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 12:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 05:06 pm (UTC)I think you should BEAT JULIE UP AND TAKE HALF HER PAY!
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 05:22 pm (UTC)Clearly, your friends should organize an informal gathering where we can shower you with presents and money and revel in your happiness and share with you how wonderful we think real, legal marriage is (even if it's only recognized in one state). Because your friends really do love each of you, and both of you together, and when you go do major historical things we want to show our affection and support.
Note: this doesn't preclude you two coming to your own agreement with each other and with your families about what kind of party to throw, and who pays for it, and stuff like that. It doesn't even help much. That's stuff all marrying people have to work out, as you well know. I was thinking more along the lines of a congratulations party than a reception—pot-luck instead of catered, &c. So I was offering you the chance to take control of that, otherwise it's going to be a total surprise on you. I'm going to pick one of your local friends and contact them and they're going to schedule a saturday afternoon where you and Jen go over to their place, and there's going to be 20 thousand million people there.
With tar and pennies.
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 05:45 pm (UTC)FLOM
tastic.
no subject
Date: 2004-07-20 05:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-21 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-21 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-21 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-21 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-22 02:26 am (UTC)