Recognizing that employees are its most valuable resource, Human Genome Sciences (HGS) is dedicated to providing employees and their families with a comprehensive benefits package that not only attracts, retains, and motivates employees, but addresses their overall needs. These benefits represent a major investment for HGS and a meaningful portion of employees' compensation.

Health Care Benefits

HGS offers medical, dental, and vision benefits to full and part-time employees working at least 24 hours per week. Coverage begins on the date of hire.

Medical

The medical plans offered by HGS are designed to provide you and your dependents with comprehensive care. Our medical plans include a choice of two options, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and the Network Open Access Plan. Both plans are administered by CIGNA. Prescription drug coverage is also included under the medical plan.

Dental

The HGS Dental Plan is available under the CIGNA Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and allows participants to choose from a network of participating providers or go out of network to the provider of their choice.

Vision

The HGS Vision Plan is offered through Avesis. Avesis covers one eye exam and glasses or contacts every calendar year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Dependent Care FSA

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account is a pre-tax account that employees may set up for dependent care expenses, such as day care.

Health Care FSA

The Health Care Flexible Spending Account is a pre-tax account that employees may set up for out-of-pocket medical, dental and vision expenses that are incurred during the year.

Financial Benefits

Life Insurance Benefits

HGS provides basic life coverage at no cost to employees. The benefit is equal to two times base annual earnings up to a maximum of $500,000. A voluntary supplemental term life insurance plan is also available.

AD&D Insurance Benefits

HGS provides basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at no cost to employees. This benefit is also equal to two times base annual earnings up to a maximum of $500,000. This program provides an additional benefit, payable to the employee's beneficiary, in the event of death or disability due to an accident.

Short-Term Disability

HGS provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to employees. In the event of an accident or illness, employees may be eligible to receive benefits equal to 66.667% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $1,500 per week.

Long-Term Disability

HGS provides long-term disability coverage at no cost to employees. In the event of an accident or illness, employees may be eligible to receive benefits equal to 60% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $10,000 per month.

401(k) Plan

Employees may elect to contribute pre-tax dollars up to the annual IRS maximum. HGS matches 50% of the first 3% deferred and 25% thereafter, up to an annual employer match of $3,875. All employer contributions vest over a four-year period.

Stock Options

All employees are offered stock options upon hire. These new hire options vest over a four-year period. Additional stock options may be awarded for achieving performance and educational milestones.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employees can share in HGS' future through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Once eligible, up to 10% of each employee's salary, after tax, may be allocated for the purchase of HGS stock at a discounted rate. Contributions are made through payroll deductions.

Time Away From HGS

Planned Time Off (PTO)

Employees accrue planned time off (PTO) time based on length of service.

YEARS OF SERVICE	FULL TIME ACCRUAL Days Per Year
New hire to 3 year anniversary	16
3 year to 5 year anniversary	18
5 year to 7 year anniversary	20
7 year to 10 year anniversary	22
More than 10 years	24

 

Sick Leave

HGS provides 7 sick days each year. Sick leave can be used for medical appointments, to care for an ill family member, or for personal emergencies.

Holidays

HGS provides a total of 9 paid holidays each calendar year. In addition, HGS provides for a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Parental Leave

After one year of service, eligible employees receive two weeks paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Jury Duty

Eligible employees will be paid their regular salary during active jury duty for up to a maximum of 10 days.

Family Medical Leave Act

Eligible employees are entitled to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period for the birth of a baby, adoption, to care for yourself, spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition as defined by the FMLA.

Military Leave

Eligible employees will be granted a leave of absence to fulfill time off for military obligations. If the military pay does not equal your current salary at HGS, the Company will supplement your military pay for up to three months per calendar year.

Employee Development Programs

Since 2002, HGS has been a recipient of the Maryland Workplace Excellence seal of approval, recognizing HGS' commitment to employees' personal and professional lives. HGS supports opportunities for employees to develop and advance their careers through promotions along a job family's career path, transfers to new positions, or the acquisition of new skills.

Employee Development

HGS provides weekly employee development sessions, including computer skills training, monthly lunch-n-learn business related topics and communication skills training via Toastmasters and Business English classes.

Leadership Development

HGS offers leadership development seminars throughout the year that focus on building HGS managers' capabilities as managers of people. Some of the seminar topics include performance management, conflict management, managing to goals, interviewing, running effective meetings, and leadership skills development.

Education Assistance

HGS provides $5,250 annually in educational assistance as a means of career development. To be eligible for reimbursement, coursework must be performed at an accredited school, it must be directly related to either the employee's present job or another position at HGS, and the employee must complete the course with a satisfactory or passing grade.

LifeWorks Program/Employee Assistance Program

Provided to employees and their families, the LifeWorks program offers support, advice, and solutions in many areas, including confidential counseling, referrals to local resources, and dependent/elder care consulting, education, and referral services

Work/Life Services

Our work/life professional provides onsite seminars, individual consultations, and brown bag workshops focusing on work/life management, stress management, communication, and time management.