Mutually Benefit(ial)
Good morning. I hope everyone is having a good start to summer – which technically isn’t until June 21, but the weather outside says otherwise.
Before I get to today’s topic, a reminder: Take care of your skin. This is the season when many of us will be taking trips or engaged in activities that will put us in the sun for long periods of time. I encourage you to follow these tips from Dr. Jeremy Jackson, chair of dermatology:
- Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30+, reapplying every two hours or after swimming or sweating
- Wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection lenses
- Seek shade and minimize sun exposure from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Now, on to today’s topic – employee benefits. In this column, I’m just focusing on benefits for UMMC employees, not contractors.
I know I’ve said this before, but it’s very much worth repeating – our employees are our greatest asset. You make this massive engine run, and you are why we can have success in any of our endeavors, which all roll up to improving the health and well-being of Mississippians.
It’s important that we invest in the workforce that’s investing its knowledge and skills into serving Mississippians. One way we do that is by providing benefits to employees in addition to pay. The entire package that is part of what you get in return for your work is often referred to as your “total rewards” – pay plus benefits. You can view your own total rewards in Workday by going to Menu > Benefits and Pay > View Total Rewards. And on top of your total rewards, you have access to several additional benefits.
I won’t go through all the options, but I'd like to touch on a few of the higher-profile ones. I encourage you to visit this link to review a comprehensive list of what is available to you as a UMMC employee and how to contact our HR Benefits team.
Retirement plans are one of the biggest benefits provided to employees. Everyone who works 20+ hours a week is either enrolled in the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement Plan or in the state’s Optional Retirement Plan. The Mississippi Legislature made some recent changes to these two programs, which are being communicated to affected employees, but you can also get information here on what has been adjusted. There are no PERS changes for current employees, only for new employees hired on or after March 1, 2026.
Many of you are enrolled in one of the insurance options, with the most used being the State and School Employees’ Health Insurance Plan. But, if you are not already participating in dental and vision coverage, you might consider it during the next open enrollment. Also, life, accident and disability insurance plans are available and can be a safety net in difficult times.
Employees are now receiving a 20% discount on food and drink purchases at the cafeterias at all our locations. This is a benefit I know you all – and I – appreciate.
Some of you already take advantage of tuition benefits for your children. Tuition discounts at UMMC or the University of Mississippi can save a lot of money on a great education.
And the last benefit of the many available that I’ll mention is time off benefits for employees working at least 20 hours per week. We accrue both personal and medical leave at generous rates determined by the state of Mississippi. There are also 10 paid holidays per year including the “floating holiday” that can be taken anytime, with supervisor approval.
These and other benefits available to employees are our way of investing in you. Benefits add value to your employment beyond your paycheck. Our suite of benefits helps us recruit and retain talent. Your benefits can have major benefits to our organization, ultimately contributing to our shared mission of creating A Healthier Mississippi.
