Benefits Guide
View the Employee Benefits Guide.
Health Insurance
The City of Lawrence is self-insured and offers a plan which provides comprehensive major medical through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage. Coverage for new employees is effective the first day of the month following date of hire. Employee premiums for coverage are payroll deducted over 26 pay periods and may be paid with pre-tax dollars. The medical deductible is $1,000/$2,000 (individual/family) for in-network. The annual out of pocket maximum is $5,000/$10,000(individual/family) for in-network. For additional information about the City’s Benefits, please review the Benefits Guide.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts they contribute are not subject to Federal, FICA, or State income taxes. FSAs are available for expenses not reimbursed under any other health plan and dependent care assistance programs.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a free and confidential counseling service available to employees and immediate family members.
Leave and Holidays
Eligibility to use accrued vacation will begin at 6 months or 1 year after hire, depending on position.
Vacation
| At hire | 6 years | 11 years | 16 years | 21 years |
| 12 days | 16 days | 19 days | 22 days | 24 days |
Firefighter accrual schedule:
| At hire | 6 years | 11 years | 16 years | 21 years |
| 144 hours | 192 hours | 216 hours | 240 hours | 264 hours |
Personal days
Two personal days are granted annually.
Sick leave
Full-time, regular employees will accrue sick leave on a per pay period basis at the rate of 96 hours per year. Unlimited sick leave days may be used for illness within the immediate family and to attend wellness related doctor’s visits.
Firefighters working 24-hour shifts accrue 144 hours sick leave annually.
Paid Parental Leave
All full- and part-time, regular employees shall be eligible to receive paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child or the placement of a foster child or foster children.
An eligible employee shall receive a maximum of twelve weeks of paid parental leave in twelve-month, look-back period.
Holidays
Ten holidays are observed annually: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
Emergency leave
Up to forty-eight hours emergency leave may be granted annually for death in the immediate family. Firefighters working 24-hour shifts may take up to ninety-six hours annually.
Jury duty
Employees will receive regular pay when called to jury duty and are permitted to retain the allowance received for such services.
Shared leave
Donated leave may be used for an employee’s serious illness or injury.
Retirement
Membership in the Kansas Public Employee’s Retirement System (KPERS) or Kansas Police and Firefighter’s Retirement System (KP&F) is mandatory for employees in covered positions. The systems provide retirement, disability, and survivor’s benefits. KPERS members receive Basic Group Life Insurance. The City has affiliated to offer Optional Group Life Insurance to both KPERS and KP&F members.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation is a retirement savings program employees can participate in through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.
Life Insurance / AD&D
The City provides from $12,500 to $50,000 in term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage depending on pay grade. Dependent life is available. Voluntary term life insurance up to five time annual salary is available to regular employees working at least twenty hours per week.
Other Benefits
Uniforms, Wellness Program which provides health risk assessments, annual flu shot clinics, employee appreciation activities/events, time-off incentives, and employee discounts for Lawrence Parks and Recreation fitness classes and membership to the Calm meditation app.