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How do I reach staff members? Staff members each have their own telephone number and e-mail address. Our staff list contains names and contact information, as well as areas of responsibility. In addition to their individual phone numbers, all staff members may be reached by calling 410-260-1280, except for our training unit which can be reached at 410-946-4900.There are staff members available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for State Holidays. How do I get a new employee picture ID? Just call us at 410-260-1280 to schedule an appointment.I've got a question and don't know who to talk to. A good place to start is right here. If you're still not sure who to talk to, call 410-260-1280 and our friendly staff will steer you in the right direction.I'm moving, what do I need to do? Fill out this form for payroll (link to Payrollform.pdf) and this form if you have any health benefits through the state (link to BenefitsAddressForm.doc). Once completed, return form(s) to Human Resources. While we attempt to answer the most common Family and Medical Leave questions here, more information can be found at the Family and Medical Leave section of the United States Department of Labor website.What is Family and Medical Leave? Family and Medical Leave is a benefit brought about by Federal Law. It gives job protection (and continued subsidized health benefits) to employees who either suffer a serious illness, or have a close family member suffer a serious illness. For more information, please review the FMLA Notice to Employees.Who is eligible for Family and Medical Leave? Employees who have worked for the State of Maryland for 12 months and worked 1,250 hours in the past 12 month period are eligible for this valuable benefit.How much leave can I get? Family and Medical leave is capped at 12 weeks during a rolling calendar year. This leave does not need to be used continuously.How do I apply for Family and Medical Leave? Do I need any medical documentation? To apply for Family Medical Leave, simply notify your supervisor or the FMLA Coordinator with Judiciary Human Resources Department that you or a family member has a serious health condition. If you wish, you may complete a Request for FMLA form. Additionally, if the leave is used for a situation other than the birth or adoption of a child, medical documentation will be required. You may use the FMLA Certification of Health Care Provider, form, or a note on the provider's letterhead. Completed forms may be given to your supervisor or Administrative Official. or sent directly to the FMLA Coordinator in the Judiciary Human Resources Department for processing.How do I code Family and Medical Leave on my time sheet? Family and Medical Leave runs concurrently with your leave, and all leave policies remain in effect, including call in procedures and the leave bank/leave donation policy. If an employee has exhausted all their leave, but still has not exhausted their Family and Medical Leave, the time sheet should be coded as Leave Without Pay. All FMLA-related leave should be noted in the comments section of the time sheet.What about my health insurance? If you are in paid leave status during your Family and Medical Leave, your health insurance will remain the same. If you do not have leave, the State will continue to pay the subsidy, however, you will be billed for your portion of the insurance premium. If you do not pay these bills, your health insurance will be canceled and you will be unable to renewal in insurance until Open Enrollment, and the insurance would be effective the beginning of the following fiscal year.What family members are covered by this leave? Federal law limits the eligible family members to spouse, child or parent. See the FMLA policy or call the FMLA Coordinator for the Judiciary Human Resources Department for details.Why are you charging me Family and Medical Leave when I haven't requested it? As a protection to employees, the law requires employers to designate qualifying employees absences as Family and Medical Leave.How much notice do I have to give? You must notify your supervisor as soon as you anticipate the need for Family and Medical Leave, at least 30 days in advance if possible. If you require this leave for an emergency situation, you must notify your supervisor no later than 2 days after you determine the need for this leave.If I'm using Family and Medical Leave, do I still have to get all my leave approved? Yes. You must still get leave approved and use standard call-in procedures.How do I reach my health plans? A listing of phone numbers and links for all State health plans is available here.How do I get a current listing of doctors participating in my plan? The most efficient way to get a current listing is to check the web sites for the plans.I need to add or delete a dependent. What do I do? If you need to add or delete a dependent, contact your local health benefits coordinator. There are very specific deadlines and documentation requirements, so make the contact as soon as possible.How do I change health plans? Unless you've experienced a "change in family status" (for example, a birth, death, divorce, or loss of insurance through your spouse), you must wait until Open Enrollment to make any changes. Open Enrollment is held in the fall and any changes you make are effective January 1 of the following year.If you have questions of what is and is not a "change in family status", please contact your local health benefits coordinator. When is open enrollment? Effecitve 2005, open enrollment is held in the late spring, with changes effective July.How do I change my primary provider? The easiest thing to do is contact the plans directly.What dependents can be carried on my insurance? Generally, the dependents you can cover include your spouse and children, along with your legal minor dependents. If you are enrolling in health benefits, you must sign an affidavit for your children, stepchildren, and grandchildren/legal wards.You cannot cover your parents, siblings, or children over the age of 19 (unless the children are full-time students). For detailed information, please contact your local health benefits coordinator. If your child is over 19, and still in school, you must submit a Certification of Student Eligibility form every semester. My child is no longer eligible to remain on my health insurance. Now what? You must remove your child as soon as they are ineligible. If you wish to continue their coverage, please contact your local health benefits coordinator and request a COBRA form. COBRA is not subsidized by the State.If I'm injured on the job, do I need to report it? If so, to who? Yes, you must report all work-related injuries to your supervisor immediately. Your supervisor has the responsibility of investigating and reporting the details of your accident so that you can receive all the benefits to which you are entitled, and to reduce the possibility of someone else getting hurt.Who's eligible for these benefits? All employees (regular, temporary and contractual) are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Only regular employees are eligible for Accident Leave. Jurors are also eligible for certain benefits.What benefits can I be entitled to? If your injury is deemed compensible by the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund, your medical bills will be paid and you may be eligible for Accident Leave instead of having to use your own leave.How do I know if my injury is deemed compensible? Once we are notified by IWIF, we will in turn notify your Administrative Official whether or not your injury is deemed compensible.How much Accident Leave can I get? Accident Leave may be available to employees for documented work-related accident absences, for a period of six calendar months after the initial incident. In order to receive Accident Leave, the injury must be deemed compensible by the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund or the Workers' Compensation Commission.Is Accident Leave guaranteed? No. In some instances Injured Workers Insurance Fund will approve payment of medical bills, but not Accident Leave.I have a letter saying that I'm approved for medical bills only. What does that mean? It means that IWIF will pay your bills, but has not approved you for accident leave. Any absence will be charged to your accumulated leave or else leave without pay.How do I get my bills paid? Send the bills directly to IWIF at:Injured Worker's Insurance Fund A copy of the bill should be sent to the Judiciary HR office at: Judiciary Human Resources Department Inquiries about oustanding bills should be directed to IWIF at 800-264-4943. What if IWIF does not deem my injury compensible? Your medical insurance will cover all bills, based on the terms of your policy. Your leave (or leave without pay) will cover your absences. If you wish to dispute IWIF's determination, you can file a claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission. Click here to go to their web site.I need a written employment verification for a loan. What do I do? Have the potential creditor fax us a standard release form to 410-260-1214. Our payroll staff will be happy to complete the form and send it back to the potential creditor.I think my leave is wrong. What do I do? Give our payroll staff a call at 410-260-1735. They'll be happy to research any issues you may have.What jobs are currently available? Visit the Judiciary's Job Announcements page to see a current list of job opportunities.Why does it take so long? As a State Agency, we must follow numerous procedures in our recruitment processes. Unfortunately, each of these procedures takes time. As such, even though we only accept resumes for a two-week period for each position, it can take several months to fill a position. We appreciate your interest and patience.What is the process for becoming a judge? The judicial selection process in Maryland is based on the principle of merit selection. For more detailed information, including the qualifications of a Maryland judge, a list of current vacancies, and an application, visit the Judicial Selection Process website.How do I find out how much my retirement check will be? Every fall, the Retirement Agency will mail a statement to each member that, among other things, will give you an idea of how much money you can expect. If you are nearing retirement, and would like a formal estimate, contact your local retirement coordinator and request a Retirement Estimate form. For further information, visit the State Retirement & Pension System's website.How do I find out about training opportunities from the AOC? Your Unit Director/Clerk of Court/Administrative Clerk has a list of available training opportunities.How do I sign up for training given by the AOC? Requests must come from your Unit Director/Clerk of Court/Administrative Clerk.I'd like to take some classes from an outside source. Is there financial assistance available? The Judiciary offers an educational assistance policy (bad link http://courtnet/hr/educatinalassistanceformregular.doc). For more information or to submit your form, see your manager or call (410) 946-4901I've signed up for a class. Where do I go? After you are approved for a class and have been enrolled, you will receive a class registration letter instructing when and where to go. Directions and a Map to the Judiciary Training Center are available. |
