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Pay & Benefits

The Office of Human Resources Management oversees the implementation of various compensation and benefits program for its employees.  Its main philosophy is to continuously ensure that the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments  attracts and retains highly qualified staff and to maintain its competitive position in the marketplace.  Below are some information regarding COG's pay and benefits.  The information contained in this section is a general description of the benefits provided, is subject to the terms and conditions of the various contracts, policies, and plans, and may be modified or changed with or without advance notice at any time.  Specific information may be obtained from OHRM.

Benefits: COG's Fringe Benefit Program provides all regular employees with a valuable package of benefits to supplement their annual salary. 

• Health Insurance
• Dental Program
• Retiree Health Insurance
• Employer-paid Life Insurance
• Travel Liability Insurance
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Disability Income Insurance
• Short-term, and long-term disability Insurance
• Public Transit Subsidy
• Education/Tuition Assistance Program
• Reimbursable Professional Association Dues
• Credit Union
• Tax-Deferred Annuity/Compensation Programs
• Direct deposit
• Annual leave: 13 days per year with 0-3 years of service; 20 days per year with 4-14 years of service; 26 days per year with 15 years of service or more.
• Sick leave: 13 days per year
• Sick Leave Bank for Extended Illness
• Family Medical Leave
• Military Leave
• Parental Leave
• Administrative Leave
• Jury Duty Leave
• Voluntary Leave of Absence
• Paid holidays: 10 days per year as follows. The Executive Director may declare a holiday on any other day.

  COG'S LEGAL HOLIDAYS
  New Year's Day	January 1
  Martin Luther King, Jr	3rd Monday of January
  Inauguration Day (U.S.)	January 20/After election*
  Washington's Birthday	Third Monday of February
  Memorial Day	Last Monday of May
  Independence Day	July 4
  Labor Day	1st Monday of September
  Columbus Day	2nd Monday of October
  Floating Holiday	The Floating holiday may be substituted for the day after Thanksgiving.
  Veteran's Day	November 11
  Thanksgiving Day	4th Thursday/November
  Christmas Day	December 25
  * At the discretion of the Executive Director, Inauguration Day may be designated as a COG optional holiday.

COMPENSATION:

COG's Pay Plan Structure

The Office of Human Resources is responsible for administering COG's overall compensation system as prescribed by the Board of Directors of COG. The Executive Director is authorized to determine the appropriate grade in which each position or category of positions shall be classified.COG's current pay plan comprises a minimum, midpoint and maximum. The pay grades increase incrementally by approximately ten (10%) to twelve (12%) percent. Each grade has a consistent salary spread of 50% from minimum to maximum of a grade.  Annual merit increases may be awarded within each grade ranging from zero (0%) to five (5.0%) percent based on the employee's performance evaluation score.

Pay Periods

All employees are paid on a biweekly basis and there shall be 26 pay periods per annum. Pay periods shall begin on Sunday and end on the following second Saturday. The first Friday following the Saturday that ends a pay period shall be payday.

Pay Advances

Pay advances are permitted under extreme, critical conditions only. Pay advances, either for a certain lump sum, or for a sum equivalent to net pay shall be specifically approved by the Director, Office of Administration and Director, Office of Human Resources Management based upon the particular circumstances associated with each request. Approval generally is conditioned on factors of hardship and emergency. Personal convenience or personal financial difficulties are not sufficient reasons for approval of advances.

Employees who will not be in the office on payday may request that their check be direct deposited or mailed for deposit to a personal bank account by making arrangements with the Department of Administration.

Payment of Leave

Employees do not receive pay for any form of accrued leave during the course of their employment with COG. Upon termination of employment, an employee shall be paid for the annual and compensatory leave (if accrued prior to October 31, 1982) that he/she has accrued. All regular and limited tenure employees who become temporary employees shall receive pay for annual leave accrued in a regular status as soon as their regular status is terminated.

Personnel Actions Affecting Compensation

The personnel actions listed below, usually affect compensation to employees. However, in connection with employee reclassification, there may not be an immediate change in compensation depending on the particular circumstances associated with the action. In addition, outstanding performance awards may be accompanied by a fixed, one-time payment. A lateral transfer shall not affect compensation.

• Introductory Merit Increase
• Annual Merit Increase
• Demotion
• Longevity Pay Increment
• Outstanding Performance Increment
• Outstanding Performance Award
• Executive Bonus Award
• Promotion
• Reclassification