Employee Benefits

The Big Picture
State employees receive competitive wages and are eligible for periodic cost of living increases. In addition, employees may receive increases in wages that are based on an employee's job performance and longevity.

But there's more than a paycheck. The state's total compensation package for employees features an outstanding set of employee benefits.

The value of benefits is a significant part of your total compensation. The following benefits are available to employees who:

• Are at least 18 years old.
• Occupy a regularly funded position.
• Work a minimum of 20 hours per week for at least 20 weeks each year.
  
  

Health Insurance

• The state pays the premium for regular (non-temporary) employees who work more than 20 hours per week.
• Temporary employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 20 weeks each year may purchase health insurance or the employing agency may pay the premium subject to budget.

 Life Insurance

• The basic life insurance benefit is $3,500.
• Supplemental coverage for you or your dependents may be purchased.
• Temporary employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 20 weeks each year may purchase life insurance.

Voluntary Group Insurance Programs

• Dental Insurance: Employee pays premium.
• Vision Insurance: Employee pays premium.
• Long Term Care Insurance: Employee pays premium.

Retirement (and Retiree Health Credit)

• The state contributes the following based on your monthly salary: 5.12 percent employer contribution; 4 percent employee contribution, and 1.14 percent for the retiree health insurance credit contribution for a total of 10.26 percent of your salary.
• The retirement benefit is based on years of service, final average salary, and a benefit multiplier established by the North Dakota Legislature.
• Employees, excluding highway patrol and judges, become vested at 36 months.
• Temporary employees may participate, at their own expense, regardless of number of hours worked.

Deferred Compensation Plan

• Allows employees to make pre-tax contributions into investments with eligible providers under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• The state pays the premium.
• Provides short-term counseling services to assist employees and eligible dependents in dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse and personal problems. Assistance is CONFIDENTIAL.
• Contact designated agency EAP provider, supervisor, or human resource or administrative staff for information.

FlexComp Plan

• Allows you to pay certain eligible expenses under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code with dollars you contribute before payroll taxes are deducted.
• Eligible expenses include medical and dependent expenses and certain insurance premiums.

Leave Benefits

The following leave benefits are available to non-temporary employees.

Annual Leave

• Annual leave accrues on a monthly basis according to the following schedule (pro-rated for part-time employees):
• No more than 240 hours of accrued leave may be carried forward beyond April 30 of each year.
• Annual leave balance is paid upon termination.
• When an employee transfers to another state agency, annual leave may be transferred to the extent accepted by the new agency. Annual leave not accepted by the new agency must be paid out by the former agency. The annual leave accrual rate is retained.
  
  

Reference: NDAC 4-07-12

Sick Leave

• Accrues at a rate of eight hours per month, 12 days per year with no limit.
• Employees may use sick leave for illness or other medical needs; i.e. doctor appointments.
• Employees may use up to 80 sick leave hours per year to care for sick children, spouses, or parents.
• Employees with 10 continuous years of service are eligible to be paid for 10 percent of their sick leave hours upon termination of state employment.
• When an employee transfers to another state agency, the sick leave balance is retained and assumed by the new agency.

Reference: NDAC 4-07-13

Family and Medical Leave

• Employees must have been employed by the state for at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours over the 12 previous months.
• An employee may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for specified family or medical reasons, such as care for child by birth, placement, or adoption; employee or immediate family member's serious health condition.
• The state continues to pay for health insurance during leave.
• Upon return, the employee must be restored to the same or an equivalent position as when they left.
• When both the husband and the wife are employed by the state, the leave time to which both are entitled is limited to a total of 12 weeks between the two.

Reference: NDCC 54-52.4, Public Law 103-3

Military Family Leave

• An eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent or next of kin of a covered military service member who is recovering from a serious illness or injury sustained in the line of duty or active duty is entitled to a total of 26 weeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member.

Reference: Public Law 103-3, Title I, Sec 102

Leave Sharing

• Regular employees with more than six months of state service may be eligible to give or receive donations of annual or sick leave in case of severe illness, injury or other circumstances.

Reference: NDCC 54-06-14.1 & 54-06-14.2

Funeral Leave

• Up to 24 hrs of paid leave may be granted for a death in the employee or spouse's immediate family:
  
  

Reference: NDAC 4-07-14

Holidays

• There are 10 paid holidays (pro-rated for part-time employees).

• A holiday occurring on Saturday or Sunday is observed the preceding Friday or succeeding Monday (does NOT apply to Christmas Eve closure).
• In addition, state offices close at noon on Christmas Eve day when it falls on Monday through Thursday.
  
  

Reference: NDCC 1-03-01, NDCC 4-07-07

Copyright © 2012 North Dakota Department of Health

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