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Fertility and Family-Focused Benefits from Carrot
Carrot offers comprehensive, confidential and affordable reproductive health care benefits - up to a $20,000 lifetime max - including fertility, adoption and more.
What is Carrot?
Carrot is our trusted provider of fertility and other reproductive health services. New in 2023, this benefit reflects our company’s focus on family, providing financial assistance (a $20,000 lifetime maximum) for eligible care and services. These can include (but are not limited to): egg or sperm preservation, in vitro fertilization, adoption, surrogacy and donor assistance.
What is Carrot Rx?
Carrot Rx fills prescriptions and delivers supplements and vitamins that have been recommended by a provider.
This service offers:
- Savings on fertility medications, plus the ability to order prescriptions for 1–2 weeks of your cycle at a time
- Convenience of free, same-day and next-day delivery of fertility medications
- Clear instructions, educational content and personalized support.
Members may also use Carrot funds at any pharmacy.
Why would I access Carrot benefits?
With comprehensive, confidential and affordable reproductive health care benefits from Carrot, you can embark on the journey to start or expand your family in your own way, in your own time. Carrot will also reimburse travel expenses for reproductive health procedures not covered by insurance, including elective abortions, that require travel in excess of 75 miles one way.
Who is eligible for Carrot benefits?
Any benefits-eligible employee (who is covered by an employer-offered health plan [ours or spouse’s or domestic partner’s]) may receive expert assistance and services from Carrot. Covered dependents are not eligible for family-focused care and travel expense reimbursement
How do I get started?
First, get acquainted with Carrot. Review your Carrot Benefit: Plan Summary (on your Total Rewards & Benefits Portal > Benefits.) to learn about eligible care, services and support. Then, when you’re ready to start the journey and create a Carrot Plan, visit get-carrot.com/start.
What is a Carrot Plan?
Developed by your Carrot Care Team, it’s a set of personalized recommendations to help you navigate your journey.
Who is the Carrot Care Team?
Two types of experts who can support you:
- Care Navigators, who can help you make the most of your benefit (note: they cannot answer medical questions)
- Specialists, who offer education on fertility health and starting or expanding a family
Can I use Carrot without a Carrot Plan?
Yes. You can get to know Carrot and browse online educational resources without a Carrot Plan.
Your Pay, New Way
In early 2024, we will start being paid every other week on Thursdays, 26 times per year. Check here first for answers to common questions about this transition. For specific help, contact a payroll professional in HR Shared Services at [email protected] Or connect with your manager or local HR professional any time.
Legends: HourlySalariedSeasonalApplies to Everyone
What is being updated?
On February 22nd, 2024, the timing and frequency of your pay will be updated. Wages will stay the same, though you will be paid 26 (vs 52) times per year, every other week on Thursdays, i.e., biweekly. For hourly employees (including some unions*) now being paid weekly, this means more gross pay per paycheck but fewer paychecks per year. All employees should check to be sure that the timing of their current expenses, bills and other payments will be in line with their biweekly income. For help, consult Employee Resources and Your Planning Checklist on the Total Rewards & Benefits Portal.
On January 11, 2024, the timing and frequency of your pay will be updated. Salaries will stay the same, though you will be paid 26 (vs 24) times per year, every other week on Thursdays, i.e., biweekly. For salaried employees, this means less gross pay per paycheck but more paychecks per year. All employees should check to be sure that the timing of their current monthly expenses, bills and other payments will be in line with their biweekly income. For help, consult Employee Resources and Your Planning Checklist on the Total Rewards & Benefits Portal.
When will the transition to a biweekly pay schedule happen?
For hourly employees who are currently paid weekly, the transition will occur in February 2024 as follows:
- February 8, 2024: Last weekly paycheck
- February 22, 2024: First biweekly paycheck
The transition for salaried employees will occur in January 2024 as follows:
- December 29, 2023: Last semi-monthly paycheck covering 12/16/2023 – 12/30/2023
- January 11, 2024: One-week paycheck covering 12/31/2023 – 1/6/2024
- January 25, 2024: First biweekly paycheck covering 1/7/2024 – 1/20/2024
Why are we moving to a biweekly pay schedule?
We’re always working to improve your employee experience, including the way you get paid. At the beginning of 2024, we’re taking the important step of moving all Heritage Group employees – salaried and hourly – onto the same bi-weekly payroll cycle. This change supports our technology upgrade that will allow you to access your pay and benefit information when and where you need it, even on your cell phone.
Who is affected by the updated pay schedule?
By late February 2024, all employees* will be paid biweekly. Union employees remaining on a weekly pay schedule will transition as contract negotiations and state requirements allow. We are in this together!
Will the biweekly pay schedule affect my salary, wages or deductions?
You will see that per-paycheck earnings will be adjusted as a result of being paid 26x per year. But while the frequency of your pay will change, you will not experience a change in total salary, total wages or total annual deductions.
Hourly employees now being paid weekly will see more gross pay per paycheck but fewer paychecks per year.
Employees on salary, now being paid twice a month, will see less gross pay per paycheck but more paychecks per year.
How should I prepare for the transition to our new biweekly pay schedule?
Start planning! All employees should check to be sure that the timing of current monthly expenses, bills and other payments will be in line with their biweekly income. This is especially important for those who have set up automatic/electronic payments for things like rent, credit card bills, 401(k) loans or other loan payments or child support. For help, consult Employee Resources and Your Planning Checklist on the Total Rewards & Benefits Portal.
Will I miss a paycheck during this transition?
No.
This transition will not result in a missed paycheck, but the first paycheck for salaried employees will be a partial paycheck. The transition introduces a 5-day lag of when the pay is received after the end of the pay period.
Will wages or salaries change with this transition?
While the frequency of your pay will change, you will not experience a change in total wages. For salaried employees, the transition introduces a 5-day lag of when the pay is received after the end of a pay period.
What resources are available to help me through this transition?
START WITH THESE HANDY TOOLS
- An Important Payday Announcement, including a high-level timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions: check here first for answers
- 2024 Pay Schedule
- Your Planning Checklist: align your pay with your monthly bills by following these simple steps
- Budget Calculator from Empower
- A Message from the Director of Enterprise Payroll
- 2024 Benefit Holiday: Learn more about what the benefit holiday is and when it will happen
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY
- Learning Center from Empower
- Creating a Budget short instructional module from Empower
- Employee discounts to save money on everything from vehicles to vacations
SPEAK TO A PROFESSIONAL
- Free financial counseling from Perspectives: call 1-800-456-6327
- Personal advice from Empower’s Retirement Solutions Group: call 1-833-301-9355
- Help with pay and other HR-related matters from HR Shared Services
REQUEST FINANCIAL AID
- Tax-free ONE Heritage Fund grant
*For work locations where bargaining unit employees are represented by a union, the union contract controls if this information is different from the union contract.
Form W-2
When will I receive my Form W-2?
Form W-2s are required to be distributed by January 31. If January 31 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is the deadline. Please wait to contact the HR Shared Services team with inquiries about paper Form W-2s until mid-February. Remember that you can download an electronic copy of your Form W-2 any time.
How can I obtain an electronic copy of my Form W-2?
You can download an electronic copy of your Form W-2 through Ceridian's website. For step-by-step instructions, log in to Employee Self-Service and click the Payroll tile then click the W-2 Reporting tile.
Why doesn’t my Form W-2 Wages and Compensation match the gross amount on my last paycheck of the year?
Not all earnings that you have been paid are taxable. Your total earnings are reduced by 401(k) contributions and certain elected benefit contributions to determine the amount that is taxable. Your Form W-2 Box 1 Wages, Tips and Other Compensation is your taxable income.
Can I use my last paycheck of the year to file my personal income taxes?
Employees should use an employer-issued Form W-2 rather than a final paycheck to complete their tax return. This will ensure that any necessary adjustments have been made and the Form W-2 will show the final taxable earnings amount.
Can I access Form W-2s from prior years?
Yes, all documents from the last seven (7) years are available through the system. Select the appropriate year from the drop-down menu to view documents available for each year.
Can I request an electronic copy of my Form W-2 be emailed to me?
No. A copy of your Form W-2 will be mailed to you or you may download an electronic copy yourself. Over the last few years, fraud has been on the rise. The Form W-2 contains personal identifiable information, such as your Social Security Number. We do not email sensitive documents that put our employee data at risk.
How can I safeguard my information once I have downloaded It?
Remember that Form W-2 contains personally identifiable information and should be protected. It is not recommended you download the form on a shared or public computer or network. Once downloaded, log out of Ceridian, close your browser, clear your browser history, and be sure to store the document in a protected area. If you must email it for any reason, be sure to password protect the document before sending. Store all personal documents safely and securely
What do I do if I have trouble downloading my Form W-2 or if it is not appearing in the system?
If you have questions or experience issues with the W-2 download process, please contact [email protected] or call 800-303-0408.
One Heritage Fund Grant
What is the ONE Heritage Fund?
It was created to help employees who are facing financial hardship immediately after a natural disaster or an unforeseen personal hardship. The ONE Heritage Fund relies primarily on individual donations from employees and support from The Heritage group to fund this program. Every contribution helps and when combined with the donations of others, can provide a taxfree grant to help a fellow employee in need when they are facing the unexpected.
Who can apply for assistance from the fund?
Applicants must be:
- Employed by The Heritage Group or its affiliates on the date of the application
- Regularly scheduled to work 10 or more hours per week: or
- On approved medical leave or an approved leave of absence for no more than one year
How large of a grant can I apply for?
The maximum amount available for each incident is $5,000 and the minimum amount that can be requested is $500
What are the criteria to qualify for a grant?
While there are many factors which determine if a grant can be made, the review process is designed to try to make each grant when possible. To meet regulations, the objective review process is complex so the simplest first step is to determine if your situation meets the most basic criteria by answering the follow questions:
- Did one of the funds events in the chart below happen to you?
- Would your application meet the following general criteria? a. Are you applying within 180 days after the Event? b. Application submissions are limited to 1 every 12 months. c. If an application is not approved, you must wait 6 months before reapplying.
- Did you have one or more of the Expenses related to the Event that’s part of the fund criteria in the chart below?
- Do you have the documentation for the Event and Expenses which provide the necessary details such as date of the expense, person responsible for bill and other details listed in the application?
- Is the event documentation within 60 days of the Application date?
- While there are some additional criteria, applications that do not meet these basic criteria cannot be approved.
The Qualified Events/Expenses Matrix below is a complete listing of Events and Expenses. The Expenses which are eligible depend on which Event occurred and the “√” indicates which expenses are associated with each Event.
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