Work/Life Benefits Programs

The Work/Life Benefits described are aligned with the core values of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, which include respect, care, competence, and joy. If a colleague gains a positive benefit from even one of these work/life initiatives, then greater job satisfaction can be realized. Colleagues who are happier in their jobs are better colleagues. Therefore, what is good for the colleague is also good for St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

• Helping colleagues manage their physical, spiritual, and mental health
• Supporting ongoing career development
• Helping colleagues with their financial responsibilities
• Recognizing and rewarding colleagues
• Helping colleagues use their time more effectively and efficiently
• Supporting colleagues' involvement with the community & hospital community garden
• Keeping colleagues informed

SOME WORK/LIFE BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS REQUIRE A COLLEAGUE TO MEET CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS. If you have questions about a program or benefit, contact names and numbers are provided. These objectives were established to provide colleagues with a higher quality work environment and help them achieve a balance between work and home.

Objective: HELPING COLLEAGUES MANAGE THEIR PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH

• Group life and disability insurance are provided without charge. Medical and dental insurance are also available at competitive rates.
• EASE, Employee Assistance at St. Elizabeth's, is a confidential counseling service available for colleagues and/or immediate family members. Three free colleague and/or family visits are provided each year. (Immediate family is defined as spouse and dependent children of a colleague.)
• Paid vacation days, holidays, and personal days give colleagues time off by utilizing accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) hours.
• On-site fitness center is available to all colleagues.
• Short-term disability coverage is provided at no cost to colleagues. Benefits are payable if a colleague is away from work because of a personal injury or illness, including prgenancy.
• Health Bound, a colleague wellness program, is dedicated to assisting staff in pursuit of their optimal level of spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being. Fitness classes and activities are planned monthly to promote good health.
• The HSHS Colleague Healthy Home Program is designed to help colleagues keep check on his/her health status, improve his/her health and manage a chronic condition through the free, periodic on-site screenings and by completing the HRA too, if he or she is enrolled in the HSHS Healthy Plan.
• Vision discount cards are provided for benefit eligible colleagues and their immediate family members. (Immediate family is defined as spouse and dependent children of a colleague.)
• Discounts are available in the Cafeteria as well as Jazzman's (specialty coffee) for hospital colleagues.
• Free on-site annual flu shot for all colleagues/volunteers.
• Free seminars on topics such as stress reduction, nutrition, and financial planning are offered on an ongoing basis.
• Annually, the Colleagues Benefits/Wellness Fair provides colleagues with a wealth of information about available benefits, healthy lifestyles, and free health screenings.
• A Flexible Spending Account allows eligible colleagues to withhold pre-tax dollars for health/dental/vision expenses incurred by colleague/family that are not covered by insurance.
• Chapel facilities, including regular worship services and ongoing grief programs, are provided.
• Paid Bereavement Time Off is available for full-time or part-time colleagues. One or three days off are given, depending upon the relationship.
• Emergency auto battery service and security escorts are available.
• Hospital condolences are expressed to colleagues who lose an immediate family member.
• Accidental Death and Supplemental Life Insurances are available for qualified colleagues, their spouse, and/or children.

Go To Top

 

Objective: SUPPORTING ONGOING CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• The Tuition Reimbursement program encourages colleagues to complete undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, as well as various individual courses.
• The School of Respiratory Therapy provides opportunities for colleagues interested in pursuing a career in Respiratory Therapy.
• Computer training through Southwestern Illinois College is available to enhance job skills.
• St. Elizabeth's Auxiliary and the Medical Staff award a number of healthcare scholarships to students pursuing a healthcare career.

Go To Top

Objective: HELPING COLLEAGUES WITH THEIR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Financial seminars regarding retirement and pensions are held periodically.
• Credit Union membership and programs, including checking, savings, Christmas club, competitive car loans, etc., are available at two credit unions.
• Employer-funded pension is provided for all qualified colleagues.
• Two vendors offer all colleagues a tax deferred annuity plan through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Non-management eligible colleagues may "cash in" up to 40 hours of accrued PTO annually.

Go To Top

Objective: RECOGNIZING AND REWARDING COLLEAGUES

• A birthday card with a $3.00 coupon for use in the Cafeteria or Gift Shop is given to all colleagues/volunteers.
• Colleagues are recognized for every 5 years of employment during Hospital Week's annual colleague recognition event. A gift certificate is awarded in the amount of $10 for each year of continuous service.
• Upon retirement, a retiree with 20+ years of service is awarded a gift certificate. $10 is given for each year of continuous service.
• A Holiday Tea at Christmastime is held for colleagues/volunteers.

Go To Top

Objective: HELPING COLLEAGUES USE THEIR TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY

• Discount tickets to Silver Dollar City, Six Flags, Raging Rivers, and Holiday World are sold in People Services and/or online.
• Cellular phone services are available at a discount for all St. Elizabeth's employees and family members.
• Wellness programs, including on-site programs for weight reduction, smoking cessation, stress management, CPR, as well as others, are offered on a regular basis.
• Chapel facilities, including regular worship services, are available.
• Emergency auto battery service and security escorts are available.
• Security lock-up for valuables available upon request.
• Furniture/equipment, book/toy, and uniform/shoe sales are held periodically.
• Free outdoor parking is available. The garage is available to evening and night colleagues.
• The hospital Internet and Intranet sites allow instant access to hospital information.
• Payroll deduction is offered for most purchases at various events and in the Cafeteria and Gift Shop.

Go To Top

Objective: SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES' INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY & HOSPITAL

• Colleague Assistance Fund ("Pennies for Colleague Assistance Fund") contributions aid fellow colleagues in need.
• The United Way and Friends of St. Elizabeth's campaigns, conducted each year, provide an opportunity to support various agencies/programs.
• The adult and junior volunteer programs provide an avenue of service for those ages 14 and up.
• Various fundraising efforts are conducted throughout the year.
• Colleagues donate food, items, money, etc. for colleagues that have faced a tragedy (fire, illness, etc.) orchestrated by an individual or a department.
• Colleagues donate food and other items during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in order to bless other co-workers and their families that are not able to supply a holiday dinner or a Happy Christmas day.
• Various discounts at area businesses are available to St. Elizabeth's colleagues, just ask businesses in the community if they provide a discount.
• St. Elizabeth's Hospital hosts and participates in health fairs and events throughout the year which allows colleagues the opportunity to interact with the community away from the hospital.
• Through a program conducted by St. Elizabeth's, colleagues are encouraged to mentor students at area grade schools.
• A community garden allows colleagues the opportunity to tend the garden and all produce grown is donated to local food pantries.

Go To Top

Objective: KEEPING COLLEAGUES INFORMED

• A formal Staff Communication Program offers colleagues the opportunity to make suggestions and voice concerns.
• A monthly publication, The Announcer, is distributed to all employees.
• A weekly division e-newsletter provides updates on activiteis within the division.
• Daily updates are provided to all users via email sharing current events, statistics and changes in policy and procedures.
• The hospital Internet and Intranet sites allow instant access to hospital information.
• Quarterly forums by Administration provide colleagues information on St. Elizabeth's and a venue for asking questions.
• Huddles (Department meetings) update colleagues on current and upcoming events/changes.
• A message center on the intranet allows colleagues to post items they are looking to buy/sell.

Go To Top

For more information about any of the Work/Life Programs, feel free to call 618-234-2120 and contact the appropriate department at the following extensions:

Benefits Specialist People Services Ext. 1494	Marketing Ext. 1594 or 1270	People Services Ext. 1496
Dental/Health/Life/LTD Insurance Disability Pension Flexible Spending Accounts Tax Deferred Annuity (403b) Vision Discount Benefits/Wellness Fair Financial Seminars	Hospital Publications Mentor Program Health & Wellness Programs	"Pennies for Colleague Assistance Fund" Colleague Assistance Program (EASE) Flu shots Fitness Centers Colleague Recognition Time off/Leaves (PTO/EIB/STD) Tuition Reimbursement Cellular Phone Information Ticket Sales (Amusement Parks) Credit Unions

Rev 07/2011