Compensation and Pay
Vance Thompson Vision values our employees and recognizes their dedication to providing an exceptional patient experience. Our goal is to foster a culture of support, encouragement, and engagement, and invest in our employees through initiatives that promote well-being and professional development. Our compensation philosophy aims to reflect the core values of Vance Thompson Vision, including caring, fun, committed, egalitarian and excellence. Vance Thompson Vision is committed to providing fair and competitive compensation that reflects the knowledge and skills of our employees while supporting our organizational goals.
Each position at Vance Thompson Vision is assigned a proposed pay range with a minimum and maximum dollar value, and the People and Culture team regularly reviews local and national markets to ensure our pay is competitive. If an adjustment is needed, a market increase may be considered to ensure employees are fairly compensated for their skills and expertise. Employees that have questions about their compensation should communicate with their leader or the People and Culture team.
Performance Increases
As Vance Thompson Vision is a performance-based organization, each year, during our performance review process, you may be eligible for a performance-based increase that reflects the value of your contributions to Vance Thompson Vision. Please note that leaders will have the discretion to provide a lump sum payment in place of a pay increase in the event an employee is at or above the top of their pay range.
Our Payroll Process
Our pay periods are two weeks long and start on Sunday at 12:00 am, ending two weeks later on Saturday at 11:59 pm. You will be paid for each day worked during that period, with each day starting at 12:00 am and ending at 11:59 pm. At the end of each pay period, non-exempt employees are asked to review their clockings for accuracy and approve their timecards on the Friday or Saturday of the end of each pay period. Any changes to timecards should be submitted through the punch change request or time off process in our online employee system of record. Accurately recording time worked is the responsibility of all non-exempt Vance Thompson Vision employees, and by approving a time card, the employee certifies the accuracy of time recorded.
Payroll deposits are made on Thursdays following the end of the pay period, and may be adjusted by a day based on applicable bank holidays. All employees receive their pay through direct deposit, unless state laws prohibit this action. Any changes to direct deposit information should be submitted through our online employee system of record by the end of a pay period to ensure you receive your paycheck.
Payroll Deductions and Garnishments
Vance Thompson Vision is required by federal and state law to make certain deductions from your paycheck, which may include, but are not limited to federal and/or state income tax, state income and unemployment tax, and FICA contributions (those are for Social Security and Medicare). The amount of your tax deductions will depend on your earnings and your exemptions listed on your W4 form. If you need to make adjustments to your tax withholdings, please make those updates through the tax setup process in our online employee system of record. Deductions are also taken for any benefits you elect as a new hire and through open enrollment each year. Vance Thompson Vision will also honor any court orders we receive to withhold or garnish a portion of an employee’s wages to cover the debt, such as unpaid taxes or child support. Employees are encouraged to review their pay stubs, and contact the People and Culture team regarding any discrepancies.
Taxable Benefits
Vance Thompson Vision loves to reward employees that go above and beyond for our team members and patients. This may come in the form of food, tangible gifts, bonuses, and gift cards! As a heads up to you, gifts less than $100 are not considered taxable benefits. However, if you receive a gift card of any value, any type of bonus, or a gift that is valued greater than $100, don’t be surprised if you see the value of the benefit taxed on your paycheck! Our goal is to keep the tax guy happy!
Overtime
Vance Thompson Vision follows the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by providing overtime pay to all non-exempt employees that work over 40 hours in a work week. Overtime is paid at one and a half times an employee’s regular rate of pay. Prior to working overtime, employees are asked to communicate with their leader about their desire to work additional hours and obtain advance approval. Working unauthorized overtime may result in disciplinary action. Lastly, when overtime is calculated, please note that PTO hours are not included in the calculation.
Leaving Vance Thompson Vision
Vance Thompson Vision understands that there may come a time when it’s time to say farewell, and employment may be separated as outlined in this Culture Book. For employees choosing to resign their employment with Vance Thompson Vision, please provide a 14-day notice to allow for a smooth transition. If you are in a licensed or leadership role, a 30-day notice is desired. The People and Culture team would ask that you provide us with written documentation regarding your desire to leave Vance Thompson Vision, and include your last working day. Employees that have given their notice are typically not able to use any accrued paid time off, unless the time off has been previously approved by their leader.
Notwithstanding the above, Vance Thompson Vision will assume and treat an employee as voluntarily resigning in situations where the employee has not shown up for work for three consecutive days without notice and/or communication with the employee’s leader.
Preparing to Part Ways
Employees leaving Vance Thompson Vision may be asked to participate in an exit interview with People and Culture. The purpose of this conversation is to find out about your experience as an employee, and to share opinions and recommendations on how we can be a better employer.
Upon your last day of employment, employees are asked to return any property of Vance Thompson Vision, including, but not limited to keys, scrubs, name badges, and computers/electronic devices. Failure to return property may result in the cost of the items being deducted from the employee’s final paycheck, or can result in action through the accounts payable process, unless applicable law states otherwise.
After Leaving Vance Thompson Vision
Employees will receive a final paycheck that will include all accrued and unused paid time off, as well as any unpaid hours and/or relevant benefit deductions. Please note that failure to give an adequate notice may result in accrued PTO not being paid out. An employee’s final paycheck will be paid on our normal payroll processing schedule.
All benefits end on the last day of employment with Vance Thompson Vision, with the exception of medical and dental coverage. Medical and dental coverage end on the last day of the month in which employment ends, as long as a shift was worked within the month.
Continuation of Benefits (COBRA)
Employees may elect to continue medical, dental and vision coverage when leaving Vance Thompson Vision through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA coverage is typically available for up to 18 months for qualified events related to employment separation or reduction in hours. Employees and their dependents will receive a COBRA enrollment notice from the insurance provider, and any election of COBRA benefits must be completed within the time frame therein. Please note that since Vance Thompson Vision will no longer be contributing to your insurance premiums, you will be responsible for the full cost of the coverage, including any administrative fees. If employees are enrolled in voluntary insurance programs through Vance Thompson Vision, such as life insurance, cancer insurance, or accident insurance, they may be able to continue coverage. Please contact the People and Culture team for more information.
Summary
Our hope is that you find your employment with Vance Thompson Vision to be fun, fulfilling, and rewarding. We trust you, and thank you for trusting us. We look forward to our working relationship with you, and hope that you feel excited for what’s to come! You are part of our Best on Earth team, and hope you enjoy this journey with us!
