HR Team Member Handbook 2025

Continuing and Annual Education As a condition of employment, all employees must complete annual education each year. This policy applies to all full time, part time, pool, volunteer and contracted personnel. Topics include but not limited to: Safety Universal Precautions/Infection Control Performance Improvement/Quality Management Workplace Harassment Employees may attend outside conferences, seminars or workshops depending on time and department budgetary restraints. Ask your Director for information about any available outside training opportunities. Employees may also attend training programs sponsored by the Learning and Development Department. Educational Leave Regular employees who have completed three (3) years of employment may be granted an educational leave of absence without pay to study full time for a maximum period of 36 twelve (12) months in order to increase their professional standing. Only one (1) leave will be granted to any employee in any given three (3) year period of employment. During a leave, contributions for medical benefits, life insurance and pension will not continue and you will be offered the opportunity to continue your medical benefits under COBRA. Supplemental insurance policies will be discontinued through AtlantiCare. You may not contribute to the defined contribution plan while on leave. Length of service and earned benefit time accrual levels are maintained. You may request Tuition Assistance for eligible coursework taken during your leave after you have returned to employment for at least six (6) months. You may get a “Request for Educational Leave” form and further details from the Leave Administrator. Preceptor Opportunities A preceptor is an experienced and competent team member who serves as a role model, educator, and mentor to support the onboarding, development, and retention of new employees, students, or transitioning staff within the organization. Preceptors facilitate learning by guiding individuals through their role-specific responsibilities, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and best practices. Each department may have an established program, process, or criteria for preceptor selection, education and preparation, and ongoing competency. Severe Weather Conditions Severe weather conditions create special challenges for healthcare workers where patient care and safety are priorities. On days designated by administration as having severe weather conditions, including a state of emergency, an essential non exempt employee who does not report for work is considered absent and is not paid for the shift. Non exempt employees who report late to work are paid for their entire shift and the shift is not considered a lateness. Payment during sleep time for those staying at work for extended periods is paid in accordance with the law. See Policy #5.17, Severe Weather Conditions.