U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Work-Life Flexibility

Hands unrolling a yoga mat on the floor


Work-Life Enrichment Programs create a more flexible, responsive work environment to support an employee’s commitments to community, family and home. Balancing family, personal and work life is important to maintain a diverse, effective and engaged workforce.
 

Unique Work Schedules

The BEP offers a variety of work schedules depending on the position into which you are hired.  Due to the uniqueness of our mission, BEP operates on a 24-hour, three-shift schedule for manufacturing employees.  Evening and midnight shift employees earn 15% night-differential pay.

Flexible work schedules for some employees offer options to manage today’s family and work needs.  Eligible employees can take advantage of flextime or compressed work schedules with their supervisor’s approval.

 

Holidays and Vacation Time

Vacation time accrues according to the length of your service.  In addition to 10 paid holidays per calendar year, paid vacation can range from 13 to 26 days per year for fulltime employees, depending on how long you have worked for the federal government.  Paid vacation time is earned at a pro-rated rate for part-time employees.

 

Sick Leave

Full-time employees receive 13 paid sick days per year.  Sick leave is earned at a prorated rate for part-time employees.

 

Transportation Cost Assistance

A transportation subsidy may be available to employees who come to work via public transportation.

 

Leave Programs

Family and personal leave programs provide Family/Medical leave to employees to care for newborns, adopted children and other family members under covered circumstances.

 

Nursing Room

All BEP locations provide a quiet room with a locking refrigerator and comfortable chairs to help nursing mothers make the transition back to work.

 

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a program offered to assist employees and their family members manage issues in their work and personal lives.  EAP offers assessment and referral services along with short-term counseling.  Counseling is available on a voluntary basis to help manage issues surrounding substance abuse, emotional distress, major life events, health care concerns, financial concerns, family/personal relationship issues and work relationship issues.

 

Life Insurance

The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program offers affordable coverage and benefits amounts which the employee shares the cost of a basic plan with the federal government.  There are three additional insurance options available (Standard, Additional and Family) which increases coverage for the employee and/or his or her family.

 

Medical Insurance

The Federal Employee’s Health Benefits Program (FEHB) provides a variety of shared-costs plans, which are even more affordable because employees pay their premiums with pre-tax dollars.

 

Health Insurance

Health Insurance options include Fee-for-Service with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Point of Service, High Deductible Health Plans or Consumer Driven Health Plans.  Typical benefits include, but are not limited to, hospital, in-patient and out-patient, mental health and substance abuse care. Prescription drug coverage is also included.  There are no waiting periods or preexisting condition limitations under FEHB.

 

Vision or Dental Insurance

The Federal Employee Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP) is available to employees eligible to enroll in FEHB and their family members.  Premiums are withheld from employees’ salaries on a pre-tax basis.

 

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

An account where pre-tax dollars are contributed by employees for projected medical expenses.  Employees have the option of two different flexible spending accounts:  health care and dependent care.

 

Long Term Care Insurance Program

Long Term Care Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for nursing home, assisted living facility, home health care, hospice and respite care services if you become unable to care for yourself or qualifying family members.  For more information regarding the healthcare and insurance available to BEP employees, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.