Benefits

The following is a summary of benefits available to all employees except non-benefit contract employees.

The SCSD offers a variety of employee benefits. Many of the benefits are standard; however, each collective bargaining agreement may have their own unique rules.

Health Insurance

All regular employees who work at least twenty-one (21) hours per week are eligible for health insurance coverage through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

Employees may select one of the following health plans with their tiered options, which are subject to change without notice:

Please visit the GIC website to review additional information about available health and other insurance benefits.

Life Insurance

A $5,000 life insurance policy is issued to employees who join any of the medical insurance plans. An optional life insurance plan is also available to employees for an additional premium.

Vacations

All full-time employees who have completed their probationary period are entitled to full vacation leave benefits. Those employees who work a less than full-time schedule are entitled to vacation leave on a prorated basis. Employment with the City of Boston, Suffolk County, or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to present employment with the Department may be considered in the determination of years of service for vacation purposes. Employees must provide documentation of their prior service to the Human Resources Division.

Eligibility for vacation leave, and the amount you earn, is determined by the union collective bargaining agreement; managerial employees are governed by the Non-Union Benefits Guide.

Personal Days

Some employees receive “personal days”, which must be scheduled in advance to ensure efficient Department operations and fairness in the distribution of work. Eligibility for personal leave, and the amount you earn, is determined by the union collective bargaining agreement; managerial employees are governed by the Non-Union Benefits Guide.

Holidays

Full-time employees are granted twelve (12) paid holidays. In December of each year, the Human Resources Division issues a schedule specifying the dates of each holiday.

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Patriots’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth Independence Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans’ Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Sick Leave

Authorized sick leave is an employee benefit to be used only for absences caused by: illness, injury, the serious illness of a member of the employee’s immediate family, and illness or disability arising out of or caused by pregnancy, miscarriage or child birth and recovery therefrom. Unlike most of private industry, you are able to carry over sick leave from year to year. This is an especially important benefit in case of long-term illness or disability.

Eligibility for sick leave, and the amount you earn, is determined by the union collective bargaining agreement; managerial employees are governed by the Non-Union Benefits Guide.

Paid Leaves of Absence

Leaves of absence with pay will be permitted for the following reasons:

Military leave: If you are a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, you shall be granted a leave of absence with pay during the time of your annual tour of duty, but the leave shall not exceed seventeen (17) days. If you are a member of the Massachusetts National Guard or are a Reservist you shall be granted a leave of absence with pay, but the leave shall not exceed forty (40) days. A copy of the military orders must be provided to the Human Resources Division prior to commencement of the leave.

Jury Duty: If you are summoned for jury duty, you must submit a copy of the summons and notice to your supervisor in order to be granted a leave of absence. The Department will make up the difference between your jury pay and your regular weekly pay, provided you submit a copy of the juror’s compensation statement that you receive from the Trial Court Department.

Bereavement Leave: You may be entitled to receive bereavement leave without loss of pay in the event of the death of a member of your immediate family. Eligibility for bereavement leave is determined by the union collective bargaining agreement; managerial employees are governed by the Non-Union Benefits Guide.

Tuition Remission: All full-time employees who have completed their probationary period are entitled to tuition remission at any Massachusetts state community college, college and/or university. Tuition remission eligibility is for department employees and/or their spouse.

Please visit the State Tuition Benefit website for more information.