This document summarizes workplace policies and benefits for AmeriCorps members serving with The Literacy Lab. It outlines health insurance options, childcare benefits, access to an employee assistance program, family and medical leave policies, procedures for workers' compensation and unemployment, and expectations around background checks, equal opportunity, harassment, accommodations, drug use, and grievance procedures. The document provides contacts for further questions about specific policies and benefits.

1. Workplace Policies & Benefits
2019 LITERACY LAB INSTITUTE

2. OBJECTIVES
• Understand the benefits available to you as an
AmeriCorps member with The Literacy Lab
• Understand The Literacy Lab’s workplace
policies
• Know where to find more information about
all of the benefits and policies covered today

3. • Health Insurance
• AmeriCorps Child Care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family and Medical Leave
• Workers’ Compensation
• Unemployment Insurance
AmeriCorps and Literacy Lab Benefits

4. Health Insurance
• All tutors must have health insurance for the duration of their service year
• Tutors who are not already covered can enroll in a free plan through The
Literacy Lab that is specifically for AmeriCorps members
For more information:
hr@theliteracylab.org
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5. AmeriCorps Child Care
• If you have a child who lives with you and you need childcare in order to
serve, you may be eligible for the AmeriCorps child care benefit
• Eligibility requirements vary by state and by family
For more information:
AmericorpsChildcare@gapsi.com
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6. Employee Assistance Program
• Through the Employee Assistance Program, Literacy Lab tutors have free, unlimited
access to consultants who can:
• Provide financial guidance
• Refer you to a local attorney
• Connect you with mental health resources
• Provide counseling around complex issues like relationships, grief, substance abuse,
etc.
• Coach you on achieving long-term personal or professional goals
• And more!
unum.com/lifebalance 1-800-854-1446
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7. Family and Medical Leave
• The Family and Medical Leave Act covers employees who have worked for
12 months or served 1250 hours
• Voluntary Suspension of Service
• Allows members to temporarily leave service to deal with serious
personal or familial situations
• Extends the amount of time allowed to complete the service hours
• Members on a suspension cannot earn hours and will not receive the
living allowance
25,
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8. Workers’ Compensation
• All tutors are eligible to request worker’s compensation insurance
benefits
• Report any service-related injuries to program staff immediately
• Requests that are not filed immediately or completely may prevent
costs from being fully covered
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9. Unemployment Insurance
• AmeriCorps members are not considered employees under the Fair
Labor Standards Act and not eligible to receive unemployment
compensation upon exiting service
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But don’t panic!

10. Questions?

11. WORKPLACE POLICIES

12. Personal Property
• Tutors are responsible for their personal property at all times at
the school site and at all Literacy Lab events and trainings
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Ask your Internal Coach about your site’s policies on
personal property and other relevant topics.

13. Background Checks
• All members must submit to and successfully complete a background check
including:
• The National Sex Offender Public Website Database Check
• A criminal background check in the state of service and state of residence
• An FBI fingerprint check
• Any other school or district-required checks
• Members must disclose all records that will appear on their criminal background
report. Failure to do so may result in suspension or dismissal from service.
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14. Equal Opportunity Employment
The Literacy Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate
in program admission or administration based on race, color, creed, religion,
ancestry, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, sexual
orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, status as a covered veteran
or with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human
rights commission, or any other status protected by law.
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Internal Coach
Master Coach
Program StaffLiteracy Lab HR
CNCS

15. Harassment
The Literacy Lab is committed to providing an atmosphere that is open
and welcoming to all. Every AmeriCorps member, applicant, volunteer,
professional associate, and program participant is entitled to a
workplace free of discrimination, harassment, or offensive behavior. All
such behaviors are therefore prohibited.
Internal Coach
Master Coach
Program StaffLiteracy Lab HR
CNCS
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16. Accommodations
The Literacy Lab is committed to providing a work environment that is
respectful and supportive of all tutors, regardless of mental or physical
disability, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, or any other
consideration. The Literacy Lab will consider all requests for
accommodations on a case-by-case basis, and will provide reasonable
accommodation, unless it creates undue hardship to The Literacy Lab.
To request an accommodation:
Program Staff32

17. Drug Free Workplace
• The Literacy Lab is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free environment.
• Members are prohibited from the use, distribution, possession, etc. of illegal drugs,
controlled substances, narcotics, or alcoholic beverages while:
• On Literacy Lab premises
• At a service site
• Attending a Literacy Lab event or training
• Earning any service hours
• Wearing the AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, or Reading Corps logo
• Members must notify their program staff of any drug-related charge, arrest, or
conviction within five days.
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18. Grievance Procedure
• Formal disputes may be resolved through:
• An immediate supervisor or other appropriate party
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (such as mediation or facilitation)
• Submitting a formal grievance to the Co-CEOs
• Binding Arbitration
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