Benefits of Being an Employee
There are a number of benefits that come with being a W-2 employee. Please review the following information to make sure you are aware of all the benefits that you qualify for. If you have any questions, please contact OOTB’s HR & Payroll Department (contact information at the bottom of this page). We are always happy to explain things in more detail.
SF HCSO (Health Care Security Ordinance)
The Health Care Security Ordinance is a San Francisco law that requires qualifying employers to make certain health care expenditures on behalf of their employees. Eligible employees receive an additional $3.51/hour (as of January 2024) for hours worked in San Francisco. These funds are deposited into a San Francisco Medical Reimbursement Account (SF MRA) that is administered by San Francisco City Option.
You can use your HCSO funds towards most out-of-pocket medical-related expenses and premiums. HCSO dollars can add up, so be sure to take advantage of them! Please review this guide for directions on how to initiate enrollment and access HCSO funds.
HCSO only applies to hours worked within the geographic boundaries of the City and County of San Francisco. HSCO funds start accruing after 90 days of employment, and you must work at least 104 hours per quarter to be eligible to accrue funds. SF City Option will notify you by mail when you qualify for this program.
OOTB tracks your hours worked in San Francisco and transfers accrued funds to SF City Option on a quarterly basis so they can be deposited into your SF MRA account. Once you have enrolled and set up your SF MRA account, funds are available by the end of the month following the end of each quarter in which you accrue funds.
Paid Sick Time
As a W-2 employee, you begin to accrue paid sick time with the first hour you work. You accrue 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked and must be employed for at least 90 days before you can use your accrued sick time. Sick time can only be used on days when you are scheduled to work, but are unable to report to work due to illness-related reasons. Sick time can be used in one-hour increments, up to a maximum of eight hours per day. Your sick time hourly rate will be based on an average of your employee pay rates, using a 6-month look back from the date the sick time is requested. You can check your sick time balance and submit a request to use sick time in the OOTB Employee Portal, under the My Profile tab.
Health and Voluntary Benefits
OOTB offers employees access to a range of health and voluntary benefits. Employees who work an average of 30+ hours per week during OOTB’s 9-month ACA measurement period, or are hired full-time, qualify to enroll in OOTB’s employer-sponsored health benefits. OOTB contributes to employee medical plans and offers other pre-tax benefits such as dental and vision coverage, as well as the opportunity to make contributions to an HSA or FSA.
Employees can also choose to enroll in post-tax voluntary benefits such as life insurance and insurance coverage for legal assistance, group hospital, accident, and critical illness.
No More Invoicing! Guaranteed Weekly Paydays!
With our easy-to-use digital timekeeping system, invoicing is a thing of the past. You can submit your work hours quickly and efficiently each day or at the end of each week, along with any producer-approved expense reimbursements. Your payday is guaranteed weekly on the Friday following the week worked.
Commuter Savings Account for Parking & Transit
As an employee, you have access to a Commuter Savings Account after 90 days of employment. You can add pre-tax funds from each paycheck to this account and use them for work-related transportation costs, including parking, tolls, and transit passes. Please reach out to OOTB’s HR & Payroll Department (contact information at the bottom of this page) if you would like to enroll.
Disability Insurance
Disability insurance provides financial protection when you're unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. In California, this is primarily covered by the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program, but other states follow similar programs.
FICA, SDI, and Unemployment Insurance
OOTB covers half of your FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and SDI (State Disability Insurance) taxes and also pays into Unemployment Insurance on your behalf. W-2 employees pay 6.2% Social Security tax and 1.45% Medicare tax on their earnings. As your employer, OOTB matches this 7.65% payment.
In comparison, a 1099-compensated worker (independent contractor) is responsible for paying the entire 15.3% (7.65% + 7.65%) on all earnings up to $142,800 and has no employer paying into unemployment on their behalf. When work is slow or non-existent, unemployment benefits can provide an essential safety net.
Employment Verification
When you apply for a loan or credit card, rent an apartment or a house, or buy/lease a car, you will be asked for employment verification. It's much quicker and easier to get approved for a loan or line of credit when you can show proof of regular, verified W-2 wages. OOTB is always happy to provide a letter of employment to a landlord or lender on your behalf.
Workers’ Compensation
OOTB pays into workers' compensation insurance so you are covered while working on set. Workers' compensation provides benefits to employees who get injured or sick from a work-related cause. It also includes disability benefits, missed wage replacement, and death benefits.
