Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact if I have questions about my insurance or retirement plans?

Please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information ; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605 and we will be happy to assist you.

When can I make a change to my insurance?

Other than a qualifying event, the Town’s “Open Enrollment” period is during the month of September. This is the time you can make a change to your insurance and/or add new insurances. The effective date of any changes will be November 1st.

I just got married/just had a baby, how do I add them to my health insurance?

There are many events that happen throughout our lifetime. These are typically called a “qualifying event”. You only have 30 days to add a new dependent to your insurances. Please click here for the enrollment forms. You are required to provide one, or more, of the following certificates: marriage, birth and/or adoption, along with your enrollment form. Submit documentation to the Treasurer’s office.

I have recently had a change in status (married, divorced, widowed, birth), what happens to my benefits?

Please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605 if you wish to make a change to your benefits. You have 30 days from the event date to make a change. You may be required to provide supporting documentation. Please submit signed forms to the Treasurer’s office.

How long can my child stay on my insurance?

Children can stay on your insurance up to the age of 26. They will be covered until the end of the month of their 26th birthday. At that time, they will be offered COBRA for a duration of 3 years. The cost for COBRA is 100% of the insurance premiums.

Can I add my partner to my insurance?

Our insurance companies require a marriage certificate to provide coverage for a dependent. Please click here for the enrollment forms. Submit documentation to the Treasurer’s office.

How do I cancel my insurance?

You may cancel your insurance, or remove your dependent, at any time. However, without a qualifying event, you will need to wait until the Town’s open enrollment period to enroll or re-enroll. Please click here for the enrollment forms. Please submit documentation to the Treasurer’s office.

How do I change my beneficiaries for life insurance and retirement plans?

Please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information ; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605. Please submit signed forms to the Treasurer’s office for processing.

How do I change my beneficiary?

Please click here for the appropriate beneficiary change forms. Please submit the documentation to the Treasurer’s office.

How do I change my personal data, tax information, direct deposit data and other employee information?

Please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information ; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605. Please submit signed forms to the Treasurer’s office and any required supporting documentation.

How do I change my direct deposit information?

Please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information ; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605. Please submit signed forms to the Treasurer’s office along with a voided check or bank letter.

How do I change my direct deposit?

The Town strongly encourages payroll direct deposits. You are allowed up to 2 direct deposits. Please click here for the direct deposit form. You are required to provide a voided check or a letter from your bank stating the ABA number and account number. A pre-note may apply when a bank letter is issued, which means you will receive a live check for one payroll following the change. Please submit the documentation to the Treasurer’s office, in person. EMAILS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

How do I change my address?

A change of address form needs to be filled out for each of your individual benefits. Please click here for the forms. Please submit the documentation to the Treasurer’s office.

I am planning on retiring, who do I contact?

Please contact Krystal in the Treasurer’s office at least 3 months prior to your retirement date to discuss the process and insurance options.

Who do I contact with a paycheck problem?

First, contact your department head to confirm that the expected pay was submitted correctly. Then, contact Veronica in the Accounting office if there are any further questions. Please contact Krystal in the Treasurer’s office for questions about deductions.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my W-2?

Please contact Veronica in the Accounting office.

I lost my W-2 form, what do I do?

Please contact Veronica in the Accounting office. A copy can be sent to your department through interoffice mail, or it can be mailed to the address on file.

How can I get a copy of a W-2 from past years?

Please contact Veronica in the Accounting office. A copy can be sent to your department through interoffice mail, or it can be mailed to the address on file.

What is my vacation balance?

Your remaining accrual balances can be found on your most recent pay stub. Or, you can contact Veronica in the Accounting office.

 How many sick and vacation hours do I earn each year?

Accrual policies can be found in your employee handbook or union agreement. They are prorated based on your scheduled hours. Please contact Veronica in the Accounting office for clarification.

Do I need to submit a W4 Form every year?

As a new hire you are required to submit a Federal Tax Withholding W4 Form. You only need to fill out a new form if you are making a voluntary change to your withholdings. If you wish to make a change please visit our Health and Benefit Information webpage at http://www.lincolntown.org/1054/Health-and-Benefit-Information ; or contact the Treasurer’s office at 781-259-2605. Please submit signed forms to the Treasurer’s office for processing.

I’ve been selected for Jury Duty. How is my pay affected?

Unless you work an unpredictable schedule (e.g., part-time substitute teachers) or are an independent contractor, the Town will fully compensate you for work missed during your first 3 days of jury duty service. After the third day, the state may compensate jurors at the rate of $50 per day. This pay is taxable. The Town is willing to continue to pay you for your additional days of service, but you will be required to turn over that state compensation to the town.

What is FIT on my paystub?

FIT is your Federal Income Tax.

What is SIT on my paystub?

SIT is your State Income Tax.

I worked the same number of hours and didn’t get a raise. Why did my check/direct deposit increase in January?

Starting each January, the first $2,000 that you contribute to Medicare and Retirement are exempt from State taxes. State taxes are lower and your net pay is higher until the $2,000 threshold is reached.

I worked the same number of hours and didn’t get a decrease. Why did my check/direct deposit decrease in March-May?

The first $2,000 that you contribute to Medicare and Retirement are exempt from State taxes. Most employees reach the $2,000 threshold between March and May. When the threshold is reached, your state taxes increase and your net pay decreases.

After my probationary period, how do I get a step increase?

After a satisfactory review performed by your department manager, your department manager is responsible for submitting a new Personnel Action Form with your new pay rate to the finance department.

How and when do I receive a step increases after my first year?

All step increases are set to occur on July 1st after a satisfactory review from your department manager. Your department manager is responsible for submitting new PAF’s to the finance department. Once you’ve reached the maximum step in your grade range, you will receive a cost of living adjustment determined by union contracts each subsequent year. Just thought it may be helpful for employees to know the process. I think many think it’s finance that initiates the increase. This obviously can be fine tuned if it's not already in our FAQs.

I have an employee starting/leaving/changing positions, how do I notify Information Technology?

There are links on the PAF to the necessary IT forms. They will also explain the process.

Fill out the HR Information Technology Onboarding form for new employees, or employees that are changing positions.

Fill out the HR Information Technology Offboarding form for employees that are leaving.

If you wish access to the documents outside of the PAF, both documents can be found at P:\IT HELP\HR, whether your P drive is on the town hall, public safety, or library servers.

I’ve been injured on the job, who do I need to notify, and how does workman’s compensation affect my pay?

If you are injured while performing your job, you should notify your supervisor and ensure you receive prompt and proper care. They will document the incident and contact the Town Administrator's Office. If the injury prevents you from working, you should provide the Town Administrator’s office with a letter from your physician, who will then file for Workers Compensation. The Town will use your accrued leave time to continue paying your full salary during your absence. Workers compensation will credit the Town back a portion of your average weekly salary, which we will then use to replenish the leave time you use. Please note: Workers compensation does not cover the first 5 days of your absence unless you are out for more than consecutive 21 days.

What is the EAP?

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential mental health help service for yourself or a member of your household. The EAP is also a resource for supervisors interested in management training or consultation services for their department. Contact information for our Emergency Assistance Program can be found online at our Human Resources Department page.

In the winter, what is the inclement weather policy for employees? Who is considered “essential”? 

Many Town employees provide essential services to the citizens of Lincoln in all weather conditions; therefore, it is appropriate that all employees report to work during inclement weather to support these efforts. Employees are still expected to report to work on time.

If the Town Administrator determines that emergency conditions exist, non-essential employees will not be required to remain at or report to their work sites.

When Town facilities are closed all "non-essential" employees shall be released from work. Each department head will determine which employees are "essential" during that particular emergency. "Essential" employees will be required to report to or remain at work as directed.

All regular status and temporary full-time employees released from work when Town facilities are closed will be granted paid leave not charged to any accrued leave balances. Temporary part-time and limited status employees will not be granted paid leave.

Employees who were on previously scheduled leave for that day will be charged the leave time that was initially granted.

If an employee calls in to request leave time due to the adverse weather conditions and the Town facilities are subsequently closed, the employee will be charged leave time for the entire day.

All regular and overtime pay policies will apply to "essential" employees who are required to work during an emergency. No compensatory leaves or special pays shall be granted.

I have a situation in my work environment that has not been resolved informally to my satisfaction, How do I file a complaint or a grievance?

A grievance procedure is available to any employee, including any department head, of the Town, whose rights under this By-law have, in his or her opinion, been prejudiced in any way, or who shall have a dispute with his or her department head, or supervisor, arising out of the actions of such supervisor.

In the case of an employee other than a department head: such employee shall take up a grievance orally with his or her department head. If the employee wishes to have the grievance reviewed, he or she shall then submit it in writing to said department head. The department head shall then reply in writing within 7 days.

If the department head's response is not to the employee's satisfaction, the employee may send, within 7 days of the date of such response, a copy of said grievance to the Town Administrator’s Office, who represents thePersonnel Board.

In the case of a department head, such department head who wishes to have a grievance reviewed shall submit it in writing to the Town Administrator’s Office, who represents the Personnel Board, with a copy to his or her supervisory board or committee.

In either case, the Town Administrator’s Office, on behalf of the Personnel Board, within 14 days after receipt of any such grievance, shall hold a hearing at which both parties to the grievance shall be present. The decision shall be rendered within 14 days of the hearing and in both cases shall be final.