Frequently Asked Questions

• Employment
• Health and Dental Benefits
• Disability

Employment

What is the process for applying for a position at Lesley?

All open positions are posted on the Lesley University Web site. If you are interested in pursuing an opening, you should complete an on-line job application, unless there are instructions that state otherwise accompanying the job posting.

Health and Dental Benefits

When can I elect my health, dental, or flexible spending benefits elections?

You are able to enroll in health, dental and flexible spending (reimbursement accounts) benefits within thirty days of your date of hire, with benefits beginning the first of the month following your date of hire. There may be certain qualifying events (e.g., birth of a child, divorce) that may allow you to make changes during the year.

What happens when I retire?

Currently, Lesley does not offer any retiree health or dental benefits to employees, other than the required COBRA coverage offered to employees upon termination of employment from the University.

What happens if I become totally disabled?

Our insurance carrier for long-term disability is Aetna Life Insurance. Long-term disability benefits partially replace your income if you become totally or partially disabled.

The period of time that you need to be continuously or partially disabled before your long term disability benefits are payable (also know as your elimination period) is 90 days. If your disability is approved under the requirements outlined by Aetna, you could receive up to 60 percent of your total monthly earnings. The maximum monthly benefit you could receive is $9,000.

If you have an extended illness, you will need to contact your human resources representative about the process for applying for long-term disability insurance.

How long will my benefits continue?

The amount of time your long-term disability benefits will continue depends on the age at which your disability begins. Typically if you become disabled at Age 59 or lower and have been approved for a long-term disability benefit from Aetna, your benefit will continue until age 65. Note that Aetna will on occasion ask you and/or your physicians for more information or updates regarding your illness, treatments, etc. Aetna reserves the right at any time to discontinue your benefit payments if it is found that you no longer meet eligibility criteria to receive a long-term disability benefit. Refer to the Summary Plan Description available in the Human Resources Office for more information about the length of benefits and eligibility criteria.

What happens if I die when I am a member of the plan?

Your enrolled dependents will be able to continue their coverage through COBRA for a period of up to 36 months.

What happens if I take a leave of absence?

If you plan to take a leave of absence, you will need to contact your human resources representative for an explanation of the impact of your leave on receiving health insurance. If applicable, your human resources representative can also discuss termination and re-enrollment in Lesley's health insurance program. Note: A leave of absence may be considered a Qualifying Event and as such, may enable you to drop your coverage for a period of time.

For a leave of absence covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), any health or dental insurance benefits (and associated costs) you elected before the commencement of the leave will continue on the same basis as before the leave began. You will be required to make your usual insurance premium payments, and the University will make its required contribution. If you are in a paid status during your FMLA leave, this amount will be payroll deducted per usual. If you go into an unpaid status at any time during your FMLA leave, you will be required to submit payments to Lesley University to cover the costs associated with your insurance coverage.

What happens if my leave is not covered by FMLA?

If you are out on leave of absence not covered by FMLA, you are responsible for the full cost of any benefits you have elected (i.e. the employee and employer subsidy).

Disability

How can I request a reasonable accommodation for a disability?

Please consult with your supervisor when requesting a work-related accommodation because of an illness, injury, disability, or other reason. Your supervisor will then consult with your human resources representative. Human Resources is the department responsible for consulting about, coordinating responses to, and monitoring situations related to work accommodations for all employees, including adjunct faculty. (Note: The Disability Services Office in Student Affairs is responsible for students, not employees.)