11 questions to ask about benefits when you’re job hunting

2. How long do I have to wait before benefits kick in?

Are you currently covered under a group benefits plan and changing employers? You may have to wait 3-6 months until you’re eligible to join your new employer’s benefits program. Don’t have immediate benefits coverage? It may be difficult to arrange short-term individual or family coverage. So, try to negotiate. You may be able to have your benefits start straight away, especially if you’re a more senior-level employee.

3. How much do I have to contribute to the benefits plan?

Employer-paid benefits plans are more valuable. Be sure to find out how much (if any) the organization deducts as employee contributions from your pay cheque. Do you have coverage under your spouse’s employer’s benefits plan? If so, some employers will allow you to opt out of the company plan. Or you could coordinate your benefits for even better coverage.

4. What are the deductibles, co-insurance and benefit maximums?

Find out what these numbers are. That way, you can determine what you may have to pay out each year. (Which will depend on the services you typically utilize).

• A deductible is the amount you pay, over some time frame, before your employer starts reimbursing your claims.
• Co-insurance is the portion of every bill submitted that you pay for. (e.g., your employer pays 80%, you pay 20%).
• Benefit maximums are the maximum cumulative amount the plan will pay in a year (e.g., $500 for physiotherapy) or in your lifetime.

5. Is there an employee assistance program (EAP)?

An EAP will give you access to a host of services for you and your family. EAP providers typically offer a 24/7 support. This benefit gives you access to a trained operator to connect you with professionals, depending on your needs. This may include psychologists, family, and financial counsellors. You can also get referrals to community resources for longer-term support.

6. Do the benefits include virtual care?

A growing number of employers are offering virtual care along with their standard benefits plans. This allows you to have convenient access to primary care providers, such as doctors or nurses, from the comfort of your home, often same day.

The service can quickly assess medical issues that don’t require a physical exam, such as prescription refills, nasal congestion, and healthcare navigation. Some virtual care services, such as Lumino Health Virtual Care (powered by Dialogue) also offer access to mental health support to address anxiety disorder, depression, stress, insomnia etc.

Virtual care can be a great addition to supplement the care you receive by your primary physician.

7. How much paid time off do I get?

The minimum mandated annual vacation after a year of work in every Canadian province* is two weeks. An extra week or two of vacation can be a deciding factor if you’re:

• deciding whether to take a job, or
• trying to choose between multiple offers.

Also ask if you’ll receive any paid personal days and how they can be used. Did your job offer’s salary fall short of what you’re looking for? Try negotiating extra vacation time in lieu of additional salary.

*Except Saskatchewan where the mandated annual vacation is 3 weeks.

8. Is there a health spending account (HSA)?

An HSA provides flexibility to tailor your benefits plan to meet your family’s needs. Using pre-tax money contributed by your employer, you can submit claims for certain allowable expenses not covered by your plan like:

• deductibles,
• co-insurance, or
• the portion of the cost of eyeglasses that exceeds your limit.

9. Do you match retirement plan contributions?

Many employers have a defined contribution pension plan or group registered retirement savings plan. Find out if your new employer will match all or part of your contributions. It’s also additional incentive for you to save!

10. Is there a tuition reimbursement plan?

If you’re studying to improve your work-related skills, your prospective employer may reimburse you for some or all tuition. This valuable benefit can significantly enhance your future career development opportunities.

11. Are there any other perks I need to know about?

A few of the other perks offered by some companies to attract employees can include:

• company cars,
• reserved parking spots,
• on-site daycare,
• subsidized gym memberships and
• free meals or coffee.

Knowing your total employee benefits and where you can negotiate puts you in the best position to make an informed decision. It’s also worth noting that some of these perks may be taxable benefits too. Once you’ve received the answers to your employee benefits questions and accepted the position, celebrate your success. And then make a careful note of the deadlines for enrolling in all benefits, savings and pension plans. That way your coverage can start as soon as possible!