間眅埶AV

University Research Associates

A University Research Associate (URA) appointed under Policy  is able to participate in the benefit plans which are available to 間眅埶AV faculty as described in Policy  excluding the Academic Pension Plan, the BC College Pension Plan, professional development allowance, computer subsidy, and sabbatical leave.

Benefit coverage varies depending on Long-Term/Recurring Limited Term or Short-Term appointments, please see below for more details. 

Please click on the appropriate link for further information on specific employee benefits.

Long-Term or Recurring Limited Term Appointments

Long-Term: Refers to full-time and part-time employees who have an appointment of more than one year.

Recurring Limited Term: Refers to full-time and part-time URAs who have held URA appointments totaling at least one year over a four year period.  Recurring Limited Term status shall be maintained during any subsequent appointment, except if more than four years have elapsed since the end of the last appointment.

Benefit Effective Date Cost  
    Employee Share Employer Share

Extended Health Care Plan
Pacific Blue Cross (PBC)
80% co-insurance

Paramedical visit fees apply. Please refer to booklet linked above or CaresNet for details: pac.bluecross.ca/caresnet

First day of the month coincident following appointment, or on the date MSP commences
0% 100%

Dental Care Plan
Pacific Blue Cross
90% Basic, 70% Major, 85% Ortho

Please refer to booklet linked above or CaresNet for details: pac.bluecross.ca/caresnet

First day of the month following a full 3 month waiting period 0% 100%
Basic Life Insurance (Manulife)
2 x annual salary to next $1000
First day actively at work. Appointment must be more than 25%.
0% 100%
Optional Life Insurance (Manulife)
Units of $25,000
Spouse & Dependent Insurance
Date application or approval received 100% 0%
Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (Industrial Alliance)
$10,000
First day actively at work 0% 100%
Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (Industrial Alliance)
Units of $10,000 - Employee & Family
First day of month following receipt of application 100% 0%
Business Travel Protection
(Industrial Alliance) $150,000
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First day actively at work 0% 100%
Sick Leave
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Immediately (26 weeks at 100%) 0% 100%
Long Term Disability Insurance (Manulife)
70% normal salary
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First day actively at work. Appointment must be more than 25%.
0% 100%
Employer Paid Group RRSP
(10% of pensionable earnings)
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Upon application 0% 100%
Optional Group RRSP - Sun Life
Upon application 100% 0%
Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) - Sun Life Upon application 100% 0%
Group Insurance for Homeowners, Tenants and Condominium owners (TD Insurance) Upon application 100% 0%
Tuition Reimbursement
for job-related, off campus course
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Subject to approval 0% 100%
Tuition Waiver
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First day of semester coincident with or following date of employment 0% 100%
WorkSafeBC First day of employment 0% 100%
Annual Vacation One month 0% 100%
Library/Gym Membership
Upon Application  0% 100%
Leave for New Parents
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  0% 100%
Employee and Family Assistance Program (Homewood Health)
First day actively at work 0% 100%

Short-Term Appointments

Short-Term: Refers to full-time and part-time URAs who are on an appointment of one year or less.

Benefit Effective Date Cost  
    Employee Share Employer Share

Extended Health Care Plan 
Pacific Blue Cross (PBC)
80% co-insurance

Paramedic visit fees apply. Please refer to booklet linked above or CaresNet for details.  

Rates (effective April 1, 2022):   

Single: $57.47 

Family $161.99  

First day of the month coincident with or following appointment, or on the date MSP commences.            

Enrolment is not automatic.

Application form: please click here 

50% 50%
Dental Plan Not eligible N/A N/A
Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
(Industrial Alliance) $10,000                              

First day actively at work.

Enrolment is automatic.

Beneficiary form: please click here

0% 100%
Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
(Industrial Alliance) Units of $10,000
Employee & Family Maximum $200,000   

First day of month following receipt of application.

Please click here for application.

100% 0%
Sick Leave
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One week salary increasing to four weeks after three months 0% 100%
WorkSafeBC First day of employment 0% 100%
Annual Vacation See Policy  0% 100%
Business Travel Protection
(Industrial Alliance) $150,000
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First day actively at work 0% 100%
Library/Gym Membership Upon application 0% 100%

December 2021

*The information on this webpage describing your various employee benefits are only summaries of the legal contracts governing the Plans. While every effort has been made to describe the Plans accurately on this webpage, the legal documents will prevail if there is a variation between the two. The contracts are available for review in Human Resources.