It's a miracle! I know, you're thinking that I'm being melodramatic. And maybe I am. No, I take that back, I'm not. Here's the situation.
On October 1, our company changed...well everything. They realized that they were paying too much for the medical benefits they were providing for us, and that they were paying too much to administer the pension plan thing, and that they were underpaying a lot of their employees. Also they decided that our employee rewards program needed reworking. Because, really do the people at the head office really need to get the rewards that are supposed to be sales related? No.
So, on the first of October, we got a new medical plan, a new retirement plan, a raise, and a new rewards program. That's great, right?
While we were at this meeting they held for us in August they gave us these forms to fill out which asked us how much we'd like to have deducted from our paycheques to go into the new retirement plan. I filled it out, sent it in and promptly forgot all about it. You'd think that was it, wouldn't you? Well, I thought it was anyway.
So, then these packages show up at work. They have no information with them to say when they need to be filled out and sent back, all there is is a video. Yes, because they're screwing around with our retirement, why not explain it all to us in a video? And, make the video an hour long, and as boring as it comes?
I did actually try to watch the video. Honest. But, I ended up fast forwarding most of the way through. I really have no interest in managing my own funds, so a huge explanation on how to do that wasn't of any interest to me at all. I guess while I was fast forwarding I missed the part where it told me when the forms were due. Oops.
But, whatever, that's why they created the Total Rewards hotline. I called it and talked to a very helpful woman named Susan who told me that the forms were due October 1st, and that I should fax them and then forward the originals in our regular weekly mailbag on Monday. All good, right? She also told me that later in October I'd have a chance to transfer my exsisting retirement type money into the new thingy. (Yes, those are technical terms! ;) )
Clearly this is someone who knows what she's talking about, she's employed by our company in the Human Resources department and DID in fact answer the Total Rewards hotline. I assumed that all those facts would mean that she'd know what was going on. Well, you know what they say about those who assume....
I faxed my forms, and sent the originals on as requested.
The next week when I was checking the managers email (because she'd been off for two days), I discovered a message from this HR woman to me. Why she'd send me email to that account is beyond me. At any rate, the message said that she had not received the original forms and therefore I was not going to be enrolled in the plan and I could reapply in January.
When I was at the meeting in August I was told that as a member of the previous pension plan, if I joined in October I would be vested in the new plan. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but from what I understand it means that any contributions the company makes (they match up to a certain percent of my salary), will be mine immediately rather than waiting for 2 years like the new members to the plan will have to. Am I explaining this well? So, if I was forced to wait and apply in January, I'd miss out on that vesting opportunity.
Obviously I wasn't happy. I emailed this Susan person back and complained that I had only followed her directions, and if it was so urgent that they have the original forms then perhaps she should have mentioned it on the phone and I could have sent them right away instead of waiting till the next week. She just apologized and said that she'd thought the forms would get there in time, but obviously not, but I'd just have to reapply in January.
So I was pissed off about that. And then October 14th happened. Which is payday. My raise? Totally not there. As soon as I got to work and saw what the total was on my paystub I called my Regional Manager. He called me back several hours later.
Because payroll was processing raises for everyone in the company, they were SO backed up that they didn't get around to doing them all. !!!!! They've known about this for at least six months. How the hell could they not get it done?
So, on top of me not being enrolled in the pension plan, I also didn't get my raise. I have to say, I was feeling awfully disillusioned. I decided to ask my RM about the pension mix up and see if he had any suggestions. In fact he did! (I like our new RM) He suggested that I email the VP of HR, he mentioned that she was out of town for two days but he was sure she'd get back to me.
I emailed her as suggested. On Monday she emailed me back, in fact someone else in HR had received my forms, and she submitted them to the retirement company thing. AND, the deductions are supposed to come out at the end of the month each month, so I should see that on the next pay.
Thank goodness for that great person in HR who found my forms and sent them in to whomever they needed to go to. I'm glad someone at our head office works.
Now...if only payroll would get their acts together.
Posted by Michelle at October 22, 2004 10:07 AM