Answering Prayer's at our Scatterfield Location

Great story below just in time for the Holidays!!

Excellent work Cloe and Misty!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Attention Hourly Store Employees: Open Enrollment Wrap Up

 

If you were unable to attend an open enrollment meeting, open enrollment ends today, December 10, 2014.  If you desire coverage and were unable to meet this deadline, the HR Team will request an extension through December, 15, 2014, however, we cannot guarantee the insurance companies will accept enrollments beyond the deadline.  

 If you previously declined the voluntary benefits and would like to enroll, you may do so during this period.  If you do not make your elections during this period, you will not have benefit coverage for the upcoming year beginning on January 1, 2015 for medical insurance.  If you currently have dental, vision, Allstate life and/or short term disability, Legal Shield, or 401(k) these plans will continue unless a change is made.

The Federal Exchange Open Enrollment period ends December 15, 2014. 
 Open Enrollment is a once a year opportunity to evaluate your health care needs and decide which plans best meet the needs of you and your family.  Please review the information to learn more about the benefits available to you in 2015 and how to comply with the requirements of Health Care Reform. 

Part Time employees may enroll in the Allstate Life and/or Short-Term Disability.

To learn more about your benefits, please watch the short educational videos (also posted on The Pipeline):

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Short Term Disability:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyPJb_6KmfU

401(k):  http://www.screencast.com/t/JliqQk97OoK

(Enrollment may be completed via the Ascensus website, https://myaccount.ascensus.com/rplink

 

Health Care Reform

Ricker’s will comply with all Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.  This year, there are minimal Health Care Reform regulations for employers; however, you as an individual, need to comply with  the individual mandate, which requires you to have health care coverage or pay a penalty.

Individual Requirements

If you are a full-time team member electing the medical plan during Open Enrollment, there is nothing you need to do and you will satisfy the individual mandate. You will not be subject to any penalties by remaining enrolled in our plan.

If you do not currently have coverage, you may want to consider enrolling for benefits through Ricker’s  during Open Enrollment.  If you do not elect Ricker’s coverage, you can enroll for coverage through your spouse’s plan or the Federal exchange.  If you do not have coverage, you will be subject to the ACA penalty. The penalty is based on a percentage of your household income, as shown below: 

	2014	2015	2016	After 2016
Income Based Penalty	1% of household income	2% of household income	2.5% of household income	2.5% of household income
Minimum Penalty Amount	$95	$325	$695	$695 + inflation adjustment

 Note: It’s important to remember that if you do not have medical coverage, you will pay the penalty AND be responsible for 100% of the cost of medical care.  

Employer Requirements

Under the ACA, employers must offer full-time employees a medical plan option that meets requirements of minimum essential plan medical care plan and affordable as defined by the ACA. An “affordable” plan means that a company must not charge more than 9.56% of your W-2 wages and must cover 60% of the total cost of health care benefits of the plan. The Ricker’s medical plan meets these requirements. Because the Ricker’s medical plan meet the ACA standards of affordability, you will not be eligible for a subsidy if you choose to receive coverage in a public marketplace.

 Key Solution Minimum Value Plan

To enroll in the MV Plan, the KeySolution and the TransAmerica enrollment forms must be completed and returned no later than December 10, 2014.

Other Available Benefits - See attached Summary Plan Descriptions for details.

• Humana Dental Insurance - If enrolling, designation must be selected - Preferred or Preventative
• Humana Vision Insurance
• Allstate Life and Short-Term Disability
• Ascensus 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
• Legal Shield

 

Benefits Open Enrollment - Last Chance to Sign Up

Attention Store Hourly Employees:  Last chance to sign up during Benefits Open Enrollment

 

Open enrollment ends on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.  The remaining Open Enrollment meetings are scheduled at 10:00 and 3:00 on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the Fisher’s Branch Hamilton East Public Library.

 Due to the number of  requests and calls  to the HR Team requesting one on one meetings to complete forms, one final meeting has been  added and is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/9 at 1:00 at the Corporate Office. 

 Don’t let Open Enrollment close without enrolling if you are interested.

Benefits Open Enrollment

Mission Statement:  Making life better - a great place to work and shop

At Ricker’s, we are committed to being “A Great Place to Work.” Our commitment includes offering health care benefits for you and your family.  Benefits Open Enrollment runs through December 10, 2014 and is a  once a year opportunity to evaluate your health care needs and decide which plans best meet the needs of you and your family.  

Important reminder:  The hourly indemnity plan, PanaMed, will terminate as of December 31, 2014.

If you desire medical insurance and indemnity package, you must enroll in the new KeySolutions insurance.  If you previously declined the health indemnity plan and/or voluntary benefits and would like to enroll, you may do so during this period.  

There is still time to enroll!  The remaining mandatory (for hourly store personnel) meeting schedule is:

Thursday, 12/4 3:00:  Holiday Inn Express, 6296 Cambridge Way, Plainfield
Friday, 12/5 at 10:00 or 3:00:  Noblesville Branch Hamilton East Public Library
Monday, 12/8 at 10:00 or 3:00:  Holiday Inn, IPFW 4111 Paul Shaffer Drive
Tuesday, 12/9 at 10;00 or 3:00:  Fishers Branch Hamilton East Public Library


Health Care Reform

Ricker’s will comply with all Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.  This year, there are minimal Health Care Reform regulations for employers; however, you as an individual, need to comply with  the individual mandate, which requires you to have health care coverage or pay a penalty.

Individual Requirements

If you are a full-time team member electing the medical plan during Open Enrollment, there is nothing you need to do and you will satisfy the individual mandate. You will not be subject to any penalties by remaining enrolled in our plan.

If you do not currently have coverage, you may want to consider enrolling for benefits through Ricker’s  during Open Enrollment.  If you do not elect Ricker’s coverage, you can enroll for coverage through your spouse’s plan or the Federal exchange.  If you do not have coverage, you will be subject to the ACA penalty. The penalty is based on a percentage of your household income, as shown below:

	2014	2015	2016	After 2016
Income Based Penalty	1% of household income	2% of household income	2.5% of household income	2.5% of household income
Minimum Penalty Amount	$95	$325	$695	$695 + inflation adjustment

Note: It’s important to remember that if you do not have medical coverage, you will pay the penalty AND be responsible for 100% of the cost of medical care.  

Employer Requirements

Under the ACA, employers must offer full-time employees a medical plan option that meets requirements of a comprehensive and affordable medical care plan as defined by the ACA. An “affordable” plan means that a company must cover 60% of the total cost of health care benefits. The Ricker’s medical plan meets these requirements. Because the Ricker’s medical plan meet the ACA standards of affordability, you will not be eligible for a subsidy if you choose to receive coverage in a public marketplace.

Thank you for your attention to this important information.  As always, our team is available to answer any questions you may have regarding these changes.  

Insurance Open Enrollment

INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Hourly employee benefits are changing in order to comply with ACA (Healthcare Reform), therefore, there will be mandatory benefit enrollment meetings scheduled Monday, December 1  through Wednesday December 10 for all full time hourly store employees as well as employees who meet the full time designation based on the look back measurement period (12/1/2013 – 11/30/2014).   The list of employees who meet the full time designation based on the look back period should be published no later than Wednesday, November 26, 2014.    Below is a schedule of dates and locations.

Important Note:  The PanaMed Plan will no longer be offered and all full time employees electing insurance will need to complete enrollment material for the new insurance company. 

Individual Requirements

If you are a full-time team member electing the medical plan during Open Enrollment, you will satisfy the individual mandate. You will not be subject to any penalties by remaining enrolled in our plan.

If you do not currently have coverage, you may want to consider enrolling for benefits through Ricker’s  during Open Enrollment.  If you do not elect Ricker’s coverage, you can enroll for coverage through your spouse’s plan or the Federal exchange.  If you do not have coverage, you will be subject to the ACA penalty. The penalty is based on a percentage of your household income, as shown below:

	2014	2015	2016	After 2016
Income Based Penalty	1% of household income	2% of household income	2.5% of household income	2.5% of household income
Minimum Penalty Amount	$95	$325	$695	$695 + inflation adjustment

Enrollment Meeting Schedule (some Leadership Essential and Onboarding Classes are also listed):

December 1	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Corporate Office, Anderson
December 1	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Corporate Office, Anderson
December 2	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Corporate Office, Anderson
December 2	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Corporate Office, Anderson
December 3	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Corporate Office, Anderson
December 3	10: 00 – 12:00	Remember Me	Holiday Inn Express, 7220 Woodland Drive, Indianapolis
December 4	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Plainfield TBD
December 4	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Plainfield TBD
December 5	11:00 – 1:30	President’s Council	#48 - Carey Road 3334 E 146th Street, Indianapolis
December 5	11:30 – 5:00	The WOW Experience (Onboarding)	Anderson, Corporate Office
December 5	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Noblesville Branch Hamilton East Public Library
December 5	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Noblesville Branch Hamilton East Public Library
December 8	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Holiday Inn, IPFW & Coliseum, 4111 Paul Shaffer Dr
December 8	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Holiday Inn, IPFW & Coliseum, 4111 Paul Shaffer Dr
December 9	10:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Fishers Branch Hamilton East Public Library
December 9	3:00	Benefits Enrollment Meeting	Fishers Branch Hamilton East Public Library

Congratulations to Pam and her family!!

Please Congratulate Pam Carner-Deford (Leo Store Manager) and her family on their new Baby Boy! Also, prayers for a safe trip for Pam’s son, who will be traveling overseas. 

My grandson was born last Thursday, the 16^th of Oct.  He is healthy and gorgeous!  His name is Chase Alexander Carner.  He weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and is 19 ½ in long.  His parents are my son Matt, who just got back a month ago from Afghanistan and his wife, Ciera.  This is their first child.  My son is going to be leaving again in a couple of weeks to return to Afghanistan to work leaving behind his wife and new born son.

Recognition Roundup

To Crystal and Staff at Keystone!!

 We would like to take this time to thank you for your effort and support during our recent staffing issues. You and your team jumped right in depriving yourself of staffing to help our team. WE APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE. If your are ever in need of support just let us know. Crystal you most definitely lead by example.

Thanks to All

Johnny and team 81.

 Dave Perkins Manager at South Meridian had a Customer Call the Corporate Office with a compliment!!

A customer, Ron Carafe, called to compliment you on the “fantastic job” you do to ensure the store and parking lot are clean.   He stated you were always cleaning and it is so refreshing to see a business with employees who take pride in being clean and stated the manager does a “fantastic job!”  He wanted the company to know that he does not normally call to complain or compliment but felt that Dave & Ricker’s does such a good job that he needed to, especially when we are one of the few business that take pride in the cleanliness of our business and community.

On behalf of the team, I want to express my appreciation to you.  Consider yourself WOWed  - you have previously received a WOW pin and invitation, therefore, another pin will not be sent for this WOW worthy compliment

 Our Park One location also had a Customer Call the Corporate Office with a compliment!!

A customer, Bridgette Privette, called recently to compliment the Park One Team and specifically Kera Bender for their “wonderful” assistance.  She had a severely broken foot and had a boot, etc. which hampered her mobility -  everyone was very helpful but Kera went out of her way , helped get items, opened doors, carried items to car, etc.  She stated that Kera was very thoughtful and helpful.  On behalf of the team, I want to express my appreciation to Kera and the Team.  The compliment has earned Kera a WOW pin and invitation, which will be in the mailbox!

Ricker's On The Reel

All,

Please help me in Congratulating Vickie Keihn on her 15 years with Ricker’s! Thank you Vickie for 15 years of service! We really appreciate your hard work.

Also, below is the link to this month’s Ricker’s On The Reel. 

http://youtu.be/P-0xO87ZnQY

Management Pre-Requisite Class Registration

Management Pre-Requisite Courses

Since the inception of the Management Pre-Requisite Program, there have been two topics presented per class.  The program has been revised so that one topic per session will be offered with multiple topics per month.  It is our desire to test this new format as there have been challenges with the presenter’s availability, limit of one class per month, and keeping employees engaged during the 3-4 hours of class.   Below is the Revised Course Outline. 

Registration needs to occur per class.  We are building a survey monkey registration link which will allow employees to register themselves.  We anticipate publishing the link on the next blog.   The registration link is now open for the September classes:

 
September 9 or 11, Nobody’s Listening:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YZDVWJ9

September 16 or 18, Leader Fish!:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2YKMQNJ

Course  Number	Course Description
MPR 105	Leadership Pickles:  Be able to identify three Leadership Pickles, explain why spreading enthusiasm, inspiring confidence, and demonstrating integrity are important leadership skills; how to increase your effectiveness, and have some fun.
MPR 106	Remember Me: Be able to identify why Ricker’s core mission is to provide great customer service
MPR 107	Nobody’s Listening:  Be able to realize that to be an important listener, you must pay attention, eliminate distractions, provide feedback, and ask clarifying questions
MPR 108	Leader Fish!:  Through the FISH! Philosophy, people are inspired to take action towards fully engaged living, ignite their creative spirit, and live to the FULL potential
MPR 109	The Communication Toolkit:  Be more skilled in communications including speaking clearly, active listening, nonverbal communication, conflict group communication, and presentation skills.
MPR 110	After All, You’re the Supervisor!:  Be able to understand effective supervision.  This will help you acknowledge your new role, plan and prioritize team tasks, be accessible, encourage teamwork, lead by example, problem solve, delegate, communicate and discipline effectively, and provide recognition.
MPR 111	Discussing Performance:  Be more skilled in addressing performance deficiencies and providing performance feedback.