BLACKBOARD BENEFITS IN DETAIL
Medical
Blackboard offers two medical plans: Our Point of Service (POS) option allows In and Out of Network benefits and our Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) offers a cost-savings alternative with In-network benefits only (available for those employees in certain geographic areas). Both plans offer comprehensive care including routine and well-child care visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and vision.
Dental
Blackboard’s dental plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) that allows In and Out of Network benefits. This plan provides coverage for preventive, basic, major and orthodontia services.
Life and AD&D
Blackboard provides you with Basic Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at 1 times your total compensation, with a minimum benefit of $50,000. You may also purchase supplemental insurance for yourself, as well as supplemental life and/or AD&D coverage for your family.
Short-term Disability
If you become partially or totally disabled as a result of injury, sickness or pregnancy, you may be eligible for short-term disability coverage. Blackboard’s STD benefit will pay 60% of your base salary while you are out of work.
Long-term Disability
If your disability extends beyond 12 weeks, you may be eligible for long-term disability coverage. Blackboard’s LTD benefit will pay 60% of your base salary while you are out of work. You also have an option to purchase additional supplemental LTD coverage to help offset the difference between our long-term disability plan and your base salary to further protect you while you are out of work.
Supplemental Life Insurance
Through this benefit, you may use pretax dollars to purchase personal accident coverage, cancer protection, supplemental dental insurance or supplemental vision insurance, that covers above and beyond your regular health coverage.
Holidays
Blackboard observes eight holidays per year. In addition to these eight holidays, employees are granted five personal days each year to use whenever they choose.
Blackboard Observed Holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Paid Time Off (PTO)
As a full-time employee, you are immediately eligible for up to 15 paid time off days per calendar year to use for vacation, sick leave, or any other reason you choose. Once you’ve been with the company for three years, you’ll be eligible for 20 paid time off days per calendar year.
Personal Days
As a full-time employee, you receive 5 personal days each calendar year to use for any reason you choose. Personal days are in addition to Paid Time Off (PTO).
New Parents Leave
As a new mom or dad, you are eligible to use two weeks of paid leave immediately following the birth or adoption of your child. This leave is in addition to any other time off.
Family and Medical Leave
You may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid or unpaid leave, as provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act for care following the birth of a child, adoption, to care for yourself if ill, or to care for an immediate family member who is ill. The District of Columbia provides for paid or unpaid leave up to 16 weeks of FMLA, if eligible.
Other Leaves
Blackboard also provides paid time off in the event of a death in your family, if you are called to serve on a jury, or if you are called to military duty.
Emergency Backup Childcare
If you work in the DC office, Blackboard has contracted with a childcare facility to provide free back-up care when your regular childcare provider is unavailable.
Health Care FSA
This program allows you to set aside up to $3,000 per year in pretax dollars to pay for your out-of-pocket medical, RX, dental, and vision expenses.
Dependent Care FSA
When you are in need of dependent care, this program is designed to help lessen the financial burden, by allowing you to set aside up to $5,000 per year in pretax dollars to help pay for these expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Guidance Resources
You and your family have access to this resource and referral service free of charge. Through this program, you can receive confidential counseling, as well as get assistance with any work/life issues, legal questions, or financial concerns you may have.
401(k) Plan
It is never too early to start saving for retirement! Blackboard’s 401(k) Plan allows you to defer between 1-60% of your compensation (up to the IRS annual limit) into a variety of mutual funds. Your contributions are made via pretax payroll deductions. If you participate in the Plan, and have met the minimum eligibility requirements, you will be eligible for an annual discretionary company match.
529 College Fund Savings Program
You can start putting away money now for your child’s education through payroll deductions. This money, plus interest, is tax free when you are ready to use it.
Stock Options
Staff may be eligible to receive stock option grants based on employee level, as well as company and individual performance.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Blackboard has a Flexible Work Arrangement Policy in place that allows employees to apply for an alternate work schedule. Employees who meet the criteria of the policy, and have manager approval, may be granted a flexible work arrangement (appropriate to the employee’ needs and the business objectives of the organization).
Parking Reimbursement Plan
You can put aside up to $205 per month of pretax dollars to defer the costs of parking – whether you park at Blackboard’s offices or park and commute.
Metrocheck Program
You can pay for your METRO rail, train, or bus commuting expenses using up to $105 per month of pretax dollars.
Discount Program
Through Blackboard’s Discount Program, you can take advantage of special discounts that Blackboard has negotiated with local and nationwide vendors. Some participating vendors are Dell, Verizon Wireless, ZipCar, Sport and Health Clubs, and much more!
Emergency Travel Assistance
Whether you are on business or personal travel, you and your family may use this free service if an emergency arises for medical referrals or medical transportation, multi-lingual 24 hour information services, lost document services, and legal assistance.
Employee Referral Program
If you refer an individual who is hired by Blackboard, you could be eligible for a cash bonus of up to $3,000.00.