Work at the Y

Employee Benefits

Our benefits are designed with a single goal: To provide support to our staff and their families on their path to health and well-being.

Health Insurance
The association currently offers health insurance to Benefit Eligible employees.  Full-Time employees will have the opportunity to participate in dental, vision and flexible benefits plan.

Flexible Benefits Plan
Eligible employees are allowed to tax-shelter premium payments for health insurance plans upon date of hire.  The plan also allows employees to be reimbursed on a tax-sheltered basis for eligible medical, dental, and dependent care expenses, effective February 1 of each year.  In order to receive a tax favored status the employee must elect benefits before the start of each plan year.  Once you have elected to pay premiums through the plan you may not change your election except for “qualifying events.”

Retirement
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham participates in the YMCA Retirement Plan. Under special agreement with the YMCA Retirement Fund, the association is currently making a contribution equal to 12% of the employee’s annual income to the Retirement Fund for those employees who meet the eligibility requirements (two years of employment, minimum of 1,000 hours each year, and age 21 or older). In addition to the YMCA 12% contribution, employees may add their own contributions to the YMCA Retirement Plan in the form of tax-deferred payments up to a limit set by the YMCA retirement fund and/or regulatory agencies. All employees can participate in a tax-deferred savings plan. 

403(b) SMART ACCOUNT
Any employee of a participating YMCA can participate in the Savings Plan by opening a 403(b) Smart Account right from their first day of employment.Saving with a 403(b) Smart Account is easy. You agree to have a percentage or dollar amount withheld from your paycheck and deposited into your 403(b) Smart Account.

Group Life Insurance
All full-time employees are covered with $5,000 of life insurance.  Additional coverage may be purchased at the employee’s expense.  For more information, contact your Human Resources Office.

Group Short Term Disability Insurance
Eligible employees (after one year of full-time service), who become totally disabled by bodily injury, sickness or disease for 15 consecutive days will become eligible to receive benefits.  The basic benefit amount is 60% of base pay.

Group Long Term Disability Insurance
Eligible employees (after one year of full time service), who become totally disabled by bodily injury, sickness or disease for 180 consecutive days will become eligible to receive benefits.  The basic benefit amount is 60% of base pay.

Pay Periods
All employees are paid on a semi-monthly basis.

Vacation
Full-time employees accrue leave time from their first completed month of employment for use in the following calendar year per association policy.  Employees earn vacation hours at the following rate:

Hired between January-June: Awarded 5 days for immediate use
Hired between July-December: Zero days awarded
1st year of continuous service: 10 days per year
2-4 years of service: 12 days per year
5-9 years of service: 17 days per year
10+ years of service: 20 days per year

Sick Days
Full time employees are awarded personal days to use for personal illness or doctor’s appointments or those of household members. Employees are awarded personal hours at the following rate:

Hired between January-June: Awarded 5 days for immediate use
Hired between July-December: Zero days awarded
1st year of continuous service: 10 days per year
Each year thereafter: 10 days per year

Holidays
Employees will receive full salary for each holiday recognized by the association.

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day & another day before or after
• One Floater

YMCA Facility Usage
All employees are granted a complimentary full privilege membership for themselves and their household/dependents. In addition, program (including childcare) discounts of 50% – 100% are extended based on employment status *(some limits apply to Summer Camp)

Staff and Career Development
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham recognizes that the quality of its work is directly related to career growth and development and training opportunities. Therefore, most related expenses are paid for by the YMCA. 

Employee Recognition
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham Recognition program is intended to provide recognition for those staff members who, in the course of their daily duties, make the extra effort to take the time to care for each and every person who participates in YMCA activities as well as recognize years of dedication and service.