Human Resources Department

Except for managerial positions, City of Midland employees are represented by a variety of unions. Specific benefits vary with each union contract and are subject to change with collective bargaining. Life, health and dental insurance, retirement and paid leave are available to full-time, regular employees only.

The summary below is intended as a short review of benefits and is not meant to describe all the benefits available to City of Midland employees. More detailed benefit information is available during job interviews or by contacting the City of Midland Human Resources Department at 989-837-3357.

The City pays for term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

Employee and family coverage is available through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. Coverage includes these services:

• physician

• hospitalization

• surgery

• outpatient

• laboratory

• prescription drugs

There are a variety of plans available with a variety of deductibles and co-payments.

Employees contribute to their healthcare coverage.

For some employee groups, dental coverage is available by enrolling in a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan. Other employee groups receive dental coverage through Delta Dental. Depending on the employee group, there is an employee contribution toward coverage. Available coverage varies from individual or family plans. Deductibles and co-payments vary as well.

Through pre-tax payroll deduction, two types of flexible spending accounts are available:

• Health Care Reimbursement:  Medical expenses that are not covered by the City of Midland’s insurance plan can be reimbursed, tax-free, for eligible expenses. The employee contribution to insurance premiums can also be deducted pre-tax.

• Dependent Care Assistance:  Out-of-pocket, dependent day care expenses can be reimbursed, tax-free, for eligible expenses. The reimbursement is allowed only for eligible day care programs.

Vacation Leave, Sick Leave and Holidays

Employees earn vacation and sick leave time with service. The City observes New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as paid holidays. There are additional personal holidays which vary with union contracts. Certain personnel are required to work on the observed holidays, if scheduled.

There are two retirement plans available. Police and Fire employees (except civilian personnel) are enrolled in the City of Midland Police and Fire Retirement Fund. All other employees are enrolled in the Municipal Employees Retirements System (MERS) pension program. Police, Fire and management employees are required to contribute to their pension fund.

Employees may defer, through payroll deduction, a portion of their annual compensation in the ICMA Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC) Section 457 deferred compensation plan. These individually specified amounts are tax deferred and may be placed into a variety of investment opportunities. Accumulated contributions and earnings are paid out in a variety of options upon retirement, and are taxable when paid. There are strict limitations for the withdrawal of funds for reasons other than retirement. There is no City contribution to the plan.

The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees, retirees and their family members. The EAP is designed to provide professional assistance for personal problems. The program is staffed by a professional coordinator and is completely confidential.

With prior approval, employees may be reimbursed 100% of tuition for job-related coursework, taken voluntarily and outside normal working hours. A repayment schedule is required for employees leaving City employment within three years of receiving educational reimbursement.

The City Wellness Program offers a variety of health-related programs to all employees and their families. Programs vary and may change according to employee needs and the season of the year.

Contact the Human Resources Department for more information on current programs.

The City of Midland has an active, award-winning safety program. All City employees are represented by a City-wide safety committee called the Employee Health and Safety Action Committee (EHSAC). Details of the safety program and its policies are described in the “Employee Safety Manual,” which is provided to all employees upon hire.