OK, I need to start with the negative stuff, so I can get it over with and concentrate on the good.  I feel like shit.  My throat hurts, my head hurts and my chest is all congested.   I slept like shit last night and I feel exhausted right now. 

I tried on every pair of pants/slack I have in my closet (there are quite a few) and two pair fit me.  Both pairs are EXTREMELY tight in the waist/stomach area.   I now need to purchase some pants to wear so I don’t feel like I’m being suffocated throughout the work day.  /end bad stuff.

On to the good stuff now. 

I found the building the orientation was in (which is NOT where I’ll be working) and made my way into the ancient building built in 1927 (not really ancient, but you know what I’m saying.)

The first lady for the orientation was VERY nice, I liked her.  The second lady?  Not so much.  She made the girl who was sitting next to me cry.  Did not like her at all.  Her attitude sucked and she was quite bitter about the whole “company” we are working for.  I found her very displeasing.

Benefits.  The meat and potatoes on why I’m taking this job.  Now, in Vegas, the department paid for MOST of my benefits.  My premium every month was $7.00 something.  This was for medical, vision and dental. Dental sucked ass.  They paid for ONE cleaning per year, only covered 50% of any major work I needed (and as long time readers will know, I’ve had LOTS of major work done and still need some done), and then the vision was the best of the coverage.

Here?  It’s going to cost me a bit more each month/payday, but the coverage appears to be BETTER.  Imagine that.  You get what you pay for.  My dental plan I chose (I had a choice of three different ones) is the BOMB.  While some won’t like it, simply for the fact it’s in a HMO style, is PERFECT for me.  There is no yearly “cap” on the amount of work I can have done.  The money that will come out of MY pocket will be substantially less than what it was in Vegas.  SUBSTANTIALLY.  This will cost me $10.00 something a payday.

Vision is the bomb here as well and it will only cost me $5.00 something a month.  WOW!   Now let’s talk medical coverage.  This one is going to be $16.00 something a payday for my coverage plan I chose.  It’s the right plan for me and in the long run, will be perfect for me.

Oh and BTW, all of these premiums will be pre-tax.

I signed up for AFLAC today, as well as a deferred compensation plan (it’s a 457 plan, identical almost to a 401k). 

Pre-tax, all of my withholdings listed above will be approximately $73.00 per payday.   That may seem excessive to some, but it gives me all the coverage I need to be taken care of.

My medical, dental and vision coverage goes into effect June 1, 2008.  WHEEEEE I can guarantee you, come June 1, I will be on the phone with all three types of doctors.  LOL

I do NOT have to cover my tattoos with the current personnel policy through HR.  The girl doing this portion did mention I might want to check with my manager/chief that I will be working for.  She did say, however, she does not believe there is a policy making us cover them.  She said that if I were to be in a hugely public setting (receptionist, desk clerk, etc) that I may have too.  But since I’ll be in the back office and not dealing with the public in person, I don’t have too.

In one year, they will start taking out 5% of my income to match their 16+% each month for retirement.  It’s a mandatory thing I have to participate in, but that’s alright.  I won’t complain too much.  I have a job.  I have a good job and I have great benefits come June 1.

I’ll find out my definite schedule tomorrow when I report to the Business Manager.  WHEEEEE

Off to change into some jeans and a sweatshirt (yeah, it’s COLD here again) and head to my meeting.

Until next time….