2018_BL_BenefitsBrochure

The Benefits of Working at BL Companies

Employee owned. Client driven.

BL COMPANIES BL Companies is a leader in delivering high-quality, integrated architecture, engineering, environmental, land surveying and consulting services in the public and private sectors for land development, building design and infrastructure projects. BL Companies is proud to be 100 percent owned by its employees. Our employee-owners strive to cultivate long lasting relationships with our clients and partners by providing services and resources that achieve successful project delivery. This brochure is an overview of the benefits offered to those working at BL Companies. ESOP As an ESOP ownership structure, the company’s culture is to provide a supportive environment for excellent professionals to grow and develop to their highest potential. Employee ownership is intended to be inclusive, where all employees are members of a team, which supports individuals working toward a common goal. As stakeholders, employees will be encouraged to work together even more effectively, ultimately increasing the value of our company (as well as the value of their individual ESOP accounts). Other benefits of being an ESOP include employee retention and recruiting as well as the linkage between performance and personal gain. As an ESOP, utilizing profits to reinvest in the company and its people promotes future growth.

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INTRODUCTORY PERIOD The first 3 months of your employment with BL Companies is an Introductory Period. During this introductory period, you will not receive any paid time off except company-sanctioned holidays. When the 3 months are over, you will receive vacation and sick time that has been accruing since your first date of employment. PAID TIME OFF BL Companies provides its employees with paid vacation time, paid personal and sick time as well as paid holidays. Vacation Time The following is the vacation schedule, which accrues, based on a 40-hour workweek: • Less than 5 years of service = 2 weeks vacation Personal Time Employees whose Introductory Period ends during the months of January through June receive two personal days (16 hours). Employees whose Introductory Period ends during the months of July through September receive one personal day (8 hours). Employees whose Introductory Period ends during the months of October through December do not receive any personal time for that calendar year. ALL PERSONAL TIME MUST BE TAKEN IN THE CALENDAR YEAR THAT IT IS GIVEN. • 5-10 years of service = 3 weeks vacation • 10+ years of service = 4 weeks vacation

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Sick Time Sick time also accrues based on a 40-hour workweek. Each employee accrues 5 sick days (40 hours) a year at a rate of .77 hours per week.

Sick time can continue accruing year after year, to a maximum of 90 days.

HOLIDAYS BL Companies observes 8 full-day holidays and 2 half-day holidays.

Full Days

Half Days

• New Year’s Day

• Christmas Eve

• President’s Day

• New Year’s Eve

• Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving • The Friday after Thanksgiving • Christmas

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HEALTH INSURANCE Our health insurance plan is administered by Cigna. Our PPO Network provider is Cigna Open Access Plus. Currently the cost to employees for Medical Coverage is $60.00 for individual coverage; $126.00 for employee plus children coverage; $120.00 for employee plus spouse coverage and $162.00 for employee plus family coverage per pay period. There is a waiting period of 30 days from start date. Medical Coverage The health insurance plan is called a Preferred Provider Network (PPO). This means that there are certain providers in the network who are favored by Cigna Open Access Plus – they have worked out specific rates with them and we reap the benefits of the discounts. If you go to a primary doctor “in-network,” the office visit co-pay is $20.00. In Network v. Out of Network It is always cheaper to choose an in network provider but that is not always an option. Sometimes a favorite doctor is not in the network or the choice of doctors and hospitals in the area is not satisfactory. This does not mean that the employee cannot go to the doctor of their choice, it simply means that there is additional cost associated with the visit. The additional cost depends on the type of treatment you are receiving but in general there is a $400.00 deductible applied. This means that you have to generate $400.00 worth of doctor’s bills before the insurance company will pay for 70% of the balance - you are required to pay 30% of the balance. Dental Coverage Dental visits do not require a network provider. However, you are encouraged to use a provider from the Cigna Dental PPO Network so you can benefit from the discounts provided through the network. The plan provides for two free cleanings a year and varying percentages of coverage depending on the work that is being done. Orthodontia is provided for children only. Vision Care Vision visits do not require a network provider. However, you are encouraged to use a provider from the Cigna Vision Plan so you can benefit from the discounts provided through the network. This benefit includes: Eye exams ($20 co-pay - Any Provider), Frames, Lenses, Contacts and Prescription Sunglasses. There is a $200 maximum coverage per member, per calendar year. 6

Prescription Coverage The health insurance coverage includes prescription coverage. There are preferred pharmacies that you should use but almost all pharmacies fall under the heading of preferred. Under the prescription drug plan, there will be a “formulary” or list of drugs that you will need to reference when obtaining your medications. All generic prescriptions are on the formulary and for all generic drugs you will pay the lowest co-payment (or $15.00). For brand name drugs that appear on the formulary, you will be required to pay the middle co-payment (or $30.00). If you want a brand name prescription that does not appear on the formulary, you will be able to get it, but you will be required to pay a higher co-payment (or $45.00).

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401(k) The 401(k) Plan is administered by The Principal Group Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan immediately after start date. Part-time employees have to put in 1000 hours of service over a 12-month consecutive period. There are funds from various asset classifications to choose from and an employee can contribute up to the maximum provided by IRS regulation before taxes. 401(k) Match BL Companies provides a 401(k) match. The 401(k) match is 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2%.

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LIFE INSURANCE All full-time employees receive a $50,000 life insurance policy whether or not they choose to become members of the health insurance plan. It is provided by the company at no cost to the employee. Voluntary Life Insurance BL Companies offers you the opportunity to enroll and increase your Life Insurance coverage in the Voluntary Life Insurance Plan as long as you remain an eligible employee and continue to pay your premium at a group rate. LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM DISABILITY BL Companies provides full-time employees with Long & Short Term Disability Insurance from Sun Life Assurance Company - free of charge. This insurance is not for cases where an employee is disabled on the job. This would be considered a workers’ compensation claim. Long Term Disability Long Term Disability pays 60% of your salary up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month to the age of 65. It has a pre-existing condition clause, which states that if you have been to the doctor for anything in the 3 months before your coverage under the plan then you will not be covered until you have satisfied a twelve-month waiting period. Short Term Disability Short Term Disability pays 60% of your salary up to a maximum benefit of $2,500 per week for up to 11 weeks. There is no pre-existing condition clause but there is a 14-day “elimination” period (that means that you have to be under a doctor’s care for 14 days to qualify for short term disability). It does not have to be consecutive.

“Our employee-owners have a stake in what we do and how we do it.”

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SUMMARY LIST OF BENEFITS Health Insurance • Medical coverage • Prescription coverage

• Dental care • Vision care • Flexible spending accounts – health care & dependent care • Employee assistance program

Life Insurance • Basic life insurance • Voluntary life insurance

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Paid Time Off • Vacation time • Personal time

• Sick time • Holidays • Bi–weekly pay day (direct deposit available) Retirement Plans • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) • 401(k) • 401(k) match Professional and Leadership Development • Leadership Development Training Program • Technical Training • Project Management Training

• Company paid educational seminars • Professional development assistance • Company paid professional registration & society memberships

Additional Benefits • Short & long term disability insurance • Workers’ compensation insurance • Employee referral finder’s fee program • Free parking • TRIP – transportation reimbursement program

For more information, contact our Director of Human Resources Mina Almengor | 203.630.1406 malmengor@blcompanies.com www.blcompanies.com

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT I WHY WE EXIST To provide creative solutions that enhance the built and natural environment through the leadership and dedication of our employee owners working in partnership with our clients. OUR CORE VALUES I WHAT WE STAND FOR Integrity – We behave ethically and respectfully while holding ourselves accountable for our actions and performance. Excellence – We perform our work safely and take pride in achieving outstanding results in all aspects of what we do and the way we do it. Employee Ownership – We encourage the imagination, enthusiasm and collaboration of employees as it creates unlimited potential resulting in sustainable financial performance and profitability. We assist, support and reward personal and professional growth. Relationships – We build enduring relationships with our clients, business partners and communities by providing creative solutions and delivering exceptional service. Agility – We embrace change by being flexible, proactive and decisive in a constantly changing environment.

EMPLOYEE OWNED. CLIENT DRIVEN.

Connecticut | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Jersey | New York North Carolina | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Texas

Corporate Headquarters BL Companies, Inc.

355 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450 800.301.3077 | www.blcompanies.com

@BLCompanies

BL Companies

@blcompanies

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