University Research Associates
A University Research Associate (“URA”) appointed under Policy R50.01 is able to participate in the benefit plans which are available to SFU faculty as described in Policy A21.01 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 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 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 go to A21.01 |
First day actively at work | 0% | 100% |
| Sick Leave go to A21.01 |
Immediately (26 weeks at 100%) | 0% | 100% |
| Long Term Disability Insurance (Manulife) 70% normal salary go to A21.01 |
First day actively at work. Appointment must be more than 25%. |
0% | 100% |
| Employer Paid Group RRSP (10% of pensionable earnings) go to Policy R50.01 |
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 go to A21.01 |
Subject to approval | 0% | 100% |
| Tuition Waiver go to A21.01 |
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 go to A21.01 |
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 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 go to A21.01 |
One week salary increasing to four weeks after three months | 0% | 100% |
| WorkSafeBC | First day of employment | 0% | 100% |
| Annual Vacation | See Policy A21.01 | 0% | 100% |
| Business Travel Protection (Industrial Alliance) $150,000 go to A21.01 |
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.