Benefits

We provide a well-rounded benefits package designed to support employees both now and in the future.

Our benefits also include coverage for financial planning, fitness, wellness, and overall health and welfare—promoting balance in all areas of life.

Eligibility Requirements

The Laboratory offers an extensive benefits package to full and part time employees.

Casual student employees (excluding High School Co-op, Lab Associates and Craft Employees) are eligible to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) medical plan.

Casual student employees with at least a Bachelor’s Degree are also eligible to participate in the Triad 401(k) Plan.

• Benefit Plan Eligibility Chart (pdf)

Note: if you are currently covered in any Lab plan, including the retiree plans, contact the Benefits Office for assistance with coordination of coverage.

Eligible family members

The Lab requires supporting documentation to verify the relationship(s) of your enrolled dependents.

• Acceptable Dependent Supporting Documentation (pdf)

Domestic partner coverage

The Lab offers coverage to domestic partners.

• Domestic Partner FAQs (pdf)

Medical Insurance

Employees have the choice between two medical plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBS). Both medical plans offer free preventive care and in-and out-of-network coverage from the same network of BCBS providers. Full details can be found on the Medical Insurance page.

Dental Insurance

Dental coverage is offered through Delta Dental of New Mexico. The plan covers preventative care exams, restorative work, and other orthodontic services. Delta Dental in-network preferred providers offer the best value for covered services. Full details can be found on the dental insurance page.

Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage

Life insurance, offered through MetLife, provides a financial benefit to the named beneficiary(ies) in the event of the covered individual’s death.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance protects you and your family from the unforeseen financial hardship of an accident that causes death, dismemberment, paralysis, or loss of sight, speech, or hearing. AD&D offered through MetLife includes coverage levels range from $50,000 to $500,000 with affordable semimonthly premiums.

More information is available on the Life Insurance and AD&D webpage.

Retirement Plan

A best-in-class 401(k) Retirement Plan is offered by Fidelity to help employees save and invest for future financial goals. The Plan allows for employees to save on a pre-tax, Roth and after-tax basis. Diverse, low-cost investment options are available. More information is available on the Retirement Plans webpage.

Vision Insurance

Vision coverage is offered through Davis Vision. The plan covers exams, contacts, lenses and frames. Participants can use any provider, but Davis Vision network providers offer the best value for covered services. Frames, lenses and contacts can also be purchased online. Complete information is available at on the Vision Plan page

Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Tax-advantaged accounts offered through HSA Bank offer the opportunity to use pre-tax dollars to save and pay for qualified medical, dental, vision, commuter, dependent care or adoption expenses. More complete information is available on the Tax-Advantaged Accounts page.

Health & Fitness Programs

A variety of programs to help employees establish and maintain good health are available, as well as on site Wellness Centers, and fitness classes. More complete information is available on the Medical Plan information page.

Additional Benefits

Legal Insurance

Legal insurance, offered through Metlife, provides a convenient way to cover the cost of legal advice, whether it is a planned or unexpected expense. The plan provides assistance with routine preventive or defensive matters and covers most basic legal needs.

Identity Theft

A comprehensive benefits package which provides financial protection for victims of identity theft.

Services Include:

• Device Security
• Identity Alerts with Three Credit Bureau monitoring
• Social Media Monitoring
• Norton Secure VPN helps protect your online privacy
• Parental Control
• Million Dollar Protection Package

Rates (pdf)

Voluntary Benefits

Accident Insurance helps to offset the out-of-pocket expenses that result from life’s unexpected events.  It pays a fixed benefit amount for covered accidental injuries directly to the employee.  

Critical Illness Insurance provides a lump sum payment directly to the insured in the event of a covered condition.  

Hospital Indemnity supplements your existing health coverage by providing a fixed benefit amount to help pay expenses for hospital stays – includes pregnancy.  

Pet Insurance

Offered through Metlife.  It helps cover the costs for injuries and illnesses of your pet.   

Work/Life Balance

Create Time away from Work

Work schedules

A variety of work schedules are available that allow flexibility for workers and Laboratory programs.

The most popular work schedule is the "9/80"—employees work 80 hours over a nine-workday (two-week) period, with a Friday off every other week.

Talk to your manager about available options and how to select the option that is right for you.

Holidays

The Lab recognizes the following paid holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day (and day after)
• Christmas Day

2025 Payroll Calendar

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Full-time or part-time employees are eligible to accrue and use PTO. Casual employees are not eligible.

Accrual rates are based on years of service, and summarized in the following chart (based on a full-time schedule).

Pregnancy Leave Benefits

The Lab provides 100 percent of pay to eligible employees for up to 12 consecutive weeks for the birth of a newborn.

Parental Leave Benefits

The Lab provides 100 percent of pay to eligible employees for up to four consecutive weeks for bonding with their newborn or a child newly placed in their home for adoption. This benefit can be applied within the first 12 months after the birth/placement for adoption.

Compassionate Care Leave

Full-time or part-time employees are eligible to receive additional paid leave hours specifically to care for an ill or injured family member and bereavement purposes.

Education Assistance

Assistance is available for tuition, mandatory fees, and book costs. This includes assistance for degree or non-degree classes, continuing education, professional development, or certification courses taken at an accredited post-secondary educational institution.

In-state tuition is available for eligible dependents at the University of California and Texas A&M University.

Relocation Assistance

New hires moving a distance more than 50 miles are eligible for assistance. Reimbursement is limited to one per household.