Welcome to BCC!
New Employees
Congratulations! You've joined the Berkshire Community College (BCC) Team! This page will equip you with the information you need to get started.
Benefits
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The Benefits of Working for Berkshire Community College
GIC Insurance Benefits (Health, Life and Long-Term Disability)
The College offers medical, life and long-term disability insurance benefits through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Plan (GIC).
View the GIC Benefit Decision Guide (PDF)
You must enroll in GIC insurance benefits within ten (10) days of your official hire date.
When enrolled, GIC insurance benefits become effective sixty (60) days from the first full month of hire (ex: If you are hired Sept. 1, benefits become effective Nov. 1; If you are hired Sept. 2, benefits become effective Dec. 1).
Deductions for Health Insurance will be split between biweekly paychecks.
For questions about enrollment, contact the GIC at 1-617-727-2310.
For questions about coverage, contact the provider.
Helpful information regarding Life Insurance:
Basic and Optional Life insurance rates
You may enroll in Optional Life Insurance for a coverage amount of up to eight times your salary (for a max of $1.5M)
- In order to enroll for Optional Life Insurance, you must be enrolled for basic life insurance.
- If you select coverage in an amount equal to a multiple of your salary, you will be enrolled in the Automatic Increase plan, and your coverage will increase automatically with increases in your salary.
- While you may elect Optional Life Insurance at any time during your employment with BCC, if you elect it within 10 days of hire, you will not be required to provide proof of good health.
- Deductions for Optional Life Insurance are taken once per month, in one lump sum.
The provider is The Hartford. Visit the Group Insurance Commission online or call 617-727-2310 ext. 1 for life insurance questions.
Helpful Information regarding Long Term Disability Insurance
- GIC provides up to 55% tax-free income replacement after a disability of more than 90 days.
UNUM is the provider, and can be reached at 1-877-226-8620.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
BCC employees are eligible to enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). FSAs allow employees to set aside money every paycheck on an income tax-free basis for eligible expenses.
You can enroll in the Health Care and/or the Dependent Care FSA.
The Health Care Spending Account covers expenses that diagnose, treat, cure, or mitigate an injury, illness, or condition.
The Dependent Care Assistance Program covers expenses such as day care; preschool, before- and after-school programs; and summer day camps.
New state employees enroll for partial-year benefits. For the Health Care FSA, benefits begin at the same time as other GIC benefits. For the Dependent Care FSA, benefits begin on the first day of employment.
Employees must re-enroll for FSAs every year during open enrollment to continue benefits.
Flexible Spending Information – GIC
Helpful Information on FSAs
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts employees save on average $300 for every $1,000 contributed in the Health Care Spending Account (HCSA)
- You pay a $1 monthly administrative fee for enrollment in one or both FSAs.
- Your elections will be withdrawn from your pay and placed in your account before federal or state income taxes, or federal payroll tax are applied.
- The IRS imposes a use-it-or-lose-it rule on FSAs. This means that you must use all the money in your account by the end of the plan year, or you lose that money, subject to a short grace period.
- The Provider is TASC. For questions regarding the FSA, please contact: 800-754-9202; or go to the website.
Dental/Vision Benefits
BCC employees are eligible for dental benefits through Metlife and for vision discounts.
You must enroll in GIC insurance benefits within ten (10) days of your official hire date.
For Non-Unit Professionals, GIC insurance benefits become effective sixty (60) days from the first full month of hire (ex: If you are hired Sept. 1, benefits become effective November 1; If you are hired Sept. 2, benefits become effective Dec. 1).
For MCCC and AFSCME members, these benefits become effective 180 days following date of hire.
Download Non-Unit Dental Plan Summary (PDF)
Download MCCC Dental Plan Summary (PDF)
Metlife VisionAccess is a discount program that helps you save and stay on top of your care. This flyer will provide discount information on vision care services.
Download VisionAccess Employee Information (PDF)
Retirement Savings
Employees must choose from one (1) of two (2) options for retirement contributions (in lieu of Social Security):
1. Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS)
- MSERS is a defined benefit plan. New employees contribute 9% of gross salary, and 11% on salary over $30,000. These employee contributions are Federal tax-deferred. 1.45% is deducted for the Medicare portion of Social Security.
- Those who entered state service after April 2, 2012 are eligible for a pension at age 60 with 10 years of creditable service. State employees are eligible for a pension at any age with 20 years of creditable service.
- For more information, contact 617-727-2310 extension 2, or visit Mass Gov for an online contact form.
MSERS Retirement Guide for Active Members
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2. Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (For Non-Unit and MCCC Employees Only)
- ORP is an alternative to MSERS that provides flexible and portable pension benefits.
- You must enroll for ORP within 180 days of hire, or you will be automatically be enrolled for MSERS.
- This is an important decision because, once you make your election, it cannot be changed.
ORP Enrollment Guide and Online Enrollment
457 Deferred Compensation SMART Plan
BCC employees have options for additional retirement savings. You may opt for the 457 Deferred Compensation SMART Plan, a retirement “add-on,” for saving additional retirement monies.
- For 2020, anyone under age 50 can save $19,500 per calendar year, and $26,000 is you are 50 or over.
- You can enroll for the SMART Plan at any time.
- Prior to enrolling, contact your local SMART Plan office at 877-457-1900 to obtain a Plan Enrollment Code flier, which will include a specific code needed to enroll online. Then, click the button below to enroll.
- The minimum contribution is $10/pay period
Get more information about the 457 SMART Plan
Download 457 SMART Plan Highlights (PDF)
403B Supplemental Retirement Plan
BCC employees have options for yet more retirement savings.
Supplemental Retirement Plan Basics
Supplemental Retirement Plan Additional Information
If you choose to enroll in the 403B plan, you must fill out and return the Salary Reduction Agreement (PDF).
Tuition Remission
Tuition Remission forms must be presented to the Business office when responding to the tuition and fee bill.
Download the Tuition Remission Form (PDF)
Download Tuition Remission Policy (PDF)
Additional Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Visit Mass4You for information on our Employee Assistance Program.
Download Mass4You Information (PDF)
Paterson Field House/Fitness Center
Employees of BCC get free access to the Paterson Field House where we offer use of an array of exercise equipment, a basketball court, a pool (open seasonally; available for a small daily fee), and offer exercise and wellness classes.
Berkshire Eagle Online Subscription
BCC employees get access to our Berkshire Eagle online subscription at no cost.
New Hire Information
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New Hire Documents
Full-Time Employee Enrollment Forms (jump to Part-Time Employee forms)
All new employees must complete and return the forms linked below to inform HR which benefits you've selected, complete standard new-hire paperwork, and acknowledge receiving College policies. (We'll be straight with you - you're going to be filling out some forms.)
We've organized everything you need into a checklist to help you keep track of the various documents. Open each section to find the necessary forms to and complete. Below that, you'll find additional documents for your information — these do not have to be completed and returned.
1. Mandatory Elections: Health, Basic Life, Optional Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
This is a mandatory form, even if you are not going to enroll in GIC health insurance — new employees must use this form to select or decline GIC health benefits. This Decision Guide will help you understand the various benefit options available to you. You will receive an email from the GIC inviting you to the MyGIC portal, once you have registered on the portal you will be able to review the GIC Decision Guide to understand the options and complete the enrollment, even if you are declining coverage.
View GIC Insurance Benefit Decision Guide (PDF)
Health, Basic Life, Optional Life and Long-term Disability Insurance Enrollment
Complete this form within ten (10) days of hire to enroll for (or decline) medical, life and long-term disability insurance benefits through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Plan (GIC). Do not use this form to select Dental benefits! Instead, see section 2, below.
When enrolled, GIC insurance benefits become effective sixty (60) days from the first full month of hire (For example, if you are hired Sept. 1, benefits become effective Nov. 1; If you are hired Sept. 2, benefits become effective Dec. 1).
GIC Enrollment Acknowledgement Form
If you are adding dependents, you will need the following documents to complete the enrollment process:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate(s)
Go to the MyGIC link and request the Enrollment/Change Form1- complete the form and add any attachments needed for dependents or beneficiaries before selecting FINISH.
Request and complete Life Insurance Beneficiary – Form 319 to designate life insurance beneficiaries. You should be prepared with personal information such as the birth dates and social security numbers of your chosen beneficiaries.
Request and complete the Dependent Age 19 to 26 Enrollment/Change form if you have a dependent between the ages of 19 to 26 that will be on your insurance.
Request and complete the Handicapped Dependent Application form if you will be insuring a child who, prior to age 19, was mentally or physically disabled and incapable of earning their own living.
2. Mandatory Elections: Dental Insurance, Vision Discounts
BCC employees are eligible for dental benefits through Metlife and for vision discounts.
Note: this is not part of the GIC Dental insurance.
View Non-Unit Employees (PDF). This form must be completed and returned to HR. These benefits become effective within sixty (60) days of hire.
Benefitted, MCCC employees
Benefitted MCCC Employees (PDF)
These benefits become effective 180 days following the date of hire.
These benefits become effective 180 days following the date of hire.
Metlife VisionAccess is a discount program that helps you save and stay on top of your care. This flyer will provide discount information on vision care services.
VisionAccess Employee Information
3. Optional Election: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – (a) Health Care FSA, (b) Dependent Care FSA
BCC Employees are eligible to enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). FSAs allow employees to set aside money every paycheck on an income tax-free basis for eligible expenses.
You can enroll in the Health Care and/or the Dependent Care FSA.
The Health Care Spending Account covers expenses that diagnose, treat, cure, or mitigate an injury, illness, or condition.
The Dependent Care Assistance Program covers expenses such as day care; preschool, before- and after-school programs; and summer day camps.
New state employees enroll for partial-year benefits. For the Health Care FSA, benefits begin at the same time as other GIC benefits. For the Dependent Care FSA, benefits begin on the first day of employment.
Employees must re-enroll for FSAs every year during open enrollment to continue benefits.
View the GIC FSA Handbook (PDF)
4. Mandatory Election: Retirement Election Form
Employees must choose from one (1) of two (2) options for retirement contributions (in lieu of Social Security):
1. Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS)
- MSERS is a defined benefit plan. New employees contribute 9% of gross salary, and 11% on salary over $30,000. These employee contributions are Federal tax-deferred.1.45% is deducted for the Medicare portion of Social Security.
- Those who entered state service after April 2, 2012 are eligible for a pension at age 60 with 10 years of creditable service. State employees are eligible for a pension at any age with 20 years of creditable service.
- For more information, contact 617-727-2310 extension 2, or visit www.mass.gov/gic for an online contact form.
or
2. Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (For Non-Unit and MCCC Employees Only)
- ORP is an alternative to MSERS that provides flexible and portable pension benefits. Watch this video for more information on ORP.
- You must enroll for ORP within 180 days of hire, or you will be automatically be enrolled for MSERS.
- This is an important decision because, once you make your election, it cannot be changed.
ORP Enrollment Guide and Online Enrollment
5. Optional Elections: Supplemental Retirement Plans
Optional Form
You may opt for the 457 Deferred Compensation SMART Plan, a retirement "add-on," for saving additional retirement monies.
For 2020, anyone under age 50 can save $19,500 per calendar year, and $26,000 is you are 50 or over.
You can enroll for the SMART Plan at any time.
457 SMART Plan Highlights (PDF)
Optional Form
Enroll for the 403B Plan to supplement your state core retirement plan. You can enroll for the 403B Plan at any time.
Visit 403B Plan Enrollment and follow the steps. If you choose to enroll in the 403B plan, you must fill out and return the Salary Reduction Agreement (PDF).
6. Mandatory State and Federal Employment Forms
Due Upon Hire
These are standard employment forms required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States Federal Government.
7. Mandatory BCC Institutional Forms
Due Upon Hire
These are forms that BCC requires for all new hires, to ensure that you're aware of College policies and procedures.
Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
Social Security Statement (PDF)
Drug and Alcohol Policy Acknowledgement (PDF)
8. Public Information Exemption Form
Due Upon Hire (if appropriate)
As state employees, certain information about BCC staff members may be made public. If you are eligible to keep your information private, please complete an exemption form and return it to the Executive director HR (bdolan@berkshirecc.edu), along with supporting documentation.
Payroll Public Records Exemption Form (PDF)
Part-Time Employee Enrollment Forms
All new part-time employees must complete and return the forms linked below to inform HR which benefits you've selected, complete standard new-hire paperwork, and acknowledge receiving College policies. (We'll be straight with you - you're going to be filling out some forms.)
We've organized everything you need into a checklist to help you keep track of the various documents. Open each section to find the necessary forms to and complete. Below that, you'll find additional documents for your information — these do not have to be completed and returned.
Mandatory State and Federal Employment Forms
Due Upon Hire
These are standard employment forms required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States Federal Government.
Mandatory BCC Institutional Forms
Due Upon Hire
These are forms that BCC requires for all new hires, to ensure that you're aware of College policies and procedures.
Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
Social Security Statement (PDF)
Drug and Alcohol Policy Acknowledgement (PDF)
Mandatory OBRA
As a part time, seasonal or temporary employee of the Commonwealth of MA you are required to participate in the MA Deferred Compensation SMART Plan as an alternative to Social Security.
Mandatory OBRA Form (to be returned) (PDF)
OBRA Plan Highlights (informational) (PDF)
New Employee Information Forms
These files and documents contain useful reference information for new BCC employees.
Academic Calendars
Massachusetts Legal Holidays
Massachusetts Legal Holidays (PDF)
Massachusetts HealthConnector Marketplace Notification
Setting Up Emergency Notifications (PDF)
Earned Sick Time Information
Earned Sick Time Information (PDF)
Guidance on the Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act
Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act (PDF)
Pay Calendars
Payroll Calendar for Benefitted Employees
Payroll Calendar for Benefitted Employees (PDF)
Adjunct Faculty Payroll Calendar
Adjunct Faculty Payroll Calendar (PDF)
Payroll Self Service Login Information
Payroll Self Service Login Information (PDF)
Paid Family Medical Leave
Paid Family Medical Leave (PDF)
Setting Up Emergency Notifications
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Employee Training
Every two years, all state, county and municipal employees must complete a conflict of interest law online training program within 30 days of employment, and every two years thereafter. Employees are required to provide proof of taking this course to the HR Office in the form of a certificate of completion.
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Maps and Directions
Please refer to Map, Directions and Transportation for details about coming to campus.
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Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policies
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Employee CBAs and Handbooks
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Pay Schedules
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HR CMS Login Instructions
HRCMS is a self-service website that BCC employees can use to submit working hours, view pay rates and history, and more.
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BCC Mission Statement and Values
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BCC Organizational Charts
Organizational Charts
Here you will find comprehensive Berkshire Community College's organization charts detailing the reporting structure of the following:
- Academic Affairs (PDF)
- Administration and Finance (PDF)
- Divisional (PDF)
- President's Cabinet (PDF)
- President's Office (PDF)
- Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (PDF)
Revision date: March 11, 2024
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HR Contact Information
Beth Dolan, Executive Director of Human Resources
Email: bdolan@berkshirecc.edu
Tel: 413-236-1022La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer
Email: llett-brewington@berkshirecc.edu
Tel: 413-236-1027Sean Grady, Human Resources Manager
Email: sgrady@berkshirecc.edu
Tel: 413-236-4576Contact for:
- Job Design/Recruitment
- Initial Position Classification, Hiring and Classification Appeals
- Workplace Accommodation Requests
- Training and Development
- Public Record Requests
Ann Stevens, Human Resources Operations and Benefit Manager
Email: astevens@berkshirecc.edu
Tel: 413-236-1023Contact for:
- Human Resources Operations
- Onboarding and Offboarding
- Benefits Management
- FMLA/PFML
- Workers Comp
Rebecca (Becky) Manship, Human Resources Coordinator
Email: rmanship@berkshirecc.edu
Tel: 413-236-1026Contact for:
- Requests for current and historic employee data
- Tuition Remission Forms
- Verification of Employment
- Personnel Actions
Contact hr@berkshirecc.edu for general inquiries.
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Welcome to the Berkshires