Benefits

Vermont Foodbank provides a competitive benefit package for its employees and continuously works to ensure that the package meets the needs of those work here. We are committed to the idea that all employees have a healthy work-life balance and are compensated fairly for the work they do. Read more about our compensation philosophy on our Employment page. See below to learn more about specific benefits at Vermont Foodbank. Benefits begin 30 days following the first of the month after hire.

Vacation

Vacation time is earned before it is granted. Employees are expected to use their accrued vacation time before their hire date anniversary. No more than 80 hours of accrued vacation time may be carried over past an employee’s anniversary date or paid out upon resignation or dismissal.
Vacation time is earned on the following schedule:

  • First Year: 3.69 hours x 26 pay periods (12 days annually)
  • 2-4 Years: 4.62 hours x 26 pay periods (15 days annually)
  • 4 Years and over: 6.16 hours x 26 pay periods (20 days annually)

Holidays

The Foodbank observes the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Town Meeting Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Indigenous Peoples Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Native American Heritage Day
  • Winter Break: Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day
  • Employee Birthday

Sick Days

Sick leave is earned before it is granted up to a maximum of 12 days per year with accumulation stopping at a total of 480 hours. Unused sick time will not be compensated for upon resignation or dismissal.

Family and Medical Leaves of Absence

The Foodbank provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental and family leave for FMLA qualifying events and for non-birth parents consistent with both State of Vermont and Federal law. Short-term disability leave will be applied where the employee is eligible for FMLA, and sick leave will be applied for any remaining hours for non-parental leaves.

Short-Term Family Leave

The Foodbank provides this leave in a manner consistent with both State of Vermont and Federal law.

Personal Leave

Upon employment each full-time employee shall be entitled to five days of personal leave, subject to the approval of her/his supervisor.  Unused personal time may not be carried over from one year to the next.  Unused personal time will not be compensated for upon resignation or dismissal.

Bereavement Leave

All full-time employees may take paid bereavement leave on the following schedule (see employee personnel manual for family members included in the categories listed below):

  • Immediate family funeral: 5 days
  • Close family funeral: 3 days
  • Other funerals: 1 day

Jury Duty

Leave for jury duty shall be granted to all employees called to serve without loss of income or accrued vacation time.  An employee’s pay will continue at the normal rate and the employee shall sign over any payment checks received while on duty.  Employees shall retain all seniority, fringe benefits, and any other privileges or benefits of employment at the Foodbank while on jury duty.  Employees subpoenaed to testify in court shall not suffer any reduction in pay by any reason of time spent away from his/her job in response to said subpoena.

All insurance plans are offered on a calendar year basis except when a qualifying life event makes an individual eligible for a mid-year plan change.

Medical Insurance

In 2021 Vermont Foodbank employees have the opportunity to choose among five MVP Health Care plans. Employees should consider their own and their family’s personal situation to ensure that they select the plan that best suits their needs. Vermont Foodbank contributes 100% of the premium cost for select individual, 2-person and family plans.

Two of the five plans offered are paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA), which is a tax-advantaged savings account. Vermont Foodbank contributes to the HSA, and employees can contribute up to the annual maximum IRS established limit.

MVP also offers myVisitNow, a 24/7 telemedicine service covering online visits with doctors and other health care professionals. Visits are done via video chat through a smartphone, tablet or computer with a web camera.

Dental Insurance

Employees are responsible for 10% of the dental premium; Vermont Foodbank will contribute 90% of the dental premium. Dental insurance is through Delta Dental.

Vision Insurance

Vision insurance through VSP is entirely paid by the employee.

Voluntary Life and Voluntary Accident

Plans are available through Reliance Standard Supplemental health insurance plans are available through AFLAC. These plans are entirely paid by the employee.

Life Insurance

Each full-time employee is entitled to life insurance 2 X their salary at no cost to the employee for a maximum coverage of $225,000 (over age 65 this amount is lower). However, upon an employee’s departure from employment or at the end of each calendar year the employee must pay payroll taxes based on the value of the life insurance over $50,000.

Short-Term/Long-Term Disability

Each full-time employee is entitled to short-term/long-term insurance at no cost to the employee.

All eligible employees completing one full year of service are entitled to participation in the Foodbank’s retirement plan. This retirement plan is a 403 (b) plan that is contributed to on behalf of the employee by the Foodbank at a rate of 3.0% of the employee’s gross annual earnings per year. Total contributions cannot exceed allowable limits. Investment choices are employee managed. Complete information concerning the benefits and conditions of this plan is contained in the descriptive information provided by the investment carrier. Employees may enroll in the plan the first of the month 30 days after employment without any employer contribution.

Office hours of the Foodbank are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday–Friday, with one paid hour for lunch and breaks. Warehouse hours are from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday–Friday, with one paid hour for lunch and breaks. Days and hours may vary in response to weather, community needs, etc.

The Foodbank has a biweekly payroll system; paychecks are issued every other Friday. Direct deposit is encouraged.

Salaries are paid every other Friday. Direct deposit is available.

InvestEAP is available to all employees and their household members.

InvestEAP provides counseling and additional support for mental health, legal and financial issues, workplaces concerns, and health issues.

Working Bridges is a partnership between Green Mountain United Way and employers focused on giving employees the resources they need to gain, keep, and grow in stable employment. Working Bridges provides support for an employee loan savings program, classes in financial literacy, tax preparation, and other resource coordination.

Accessing InvestEAP and Working Bridges is free and confidential.