Shapiro Administration Recognized Nationally Award-Winning Benefits for Commonwealth Employees

​The Shapiro Administration is committed to providing the Commonwealth's workforce with the resources, programs, and benefits they need to thrive and to making state government the best place to work in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver today announced that the Commonwealth Employee Financial Wellness Program is the recipient of the 2024 Innovative State Human Resource Management Program Award from the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE).

"Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, we are making the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a destination for the best and brightest in public service," said Secretary Weaver. "Our Financial Wellness Program is a high impact, no cost way to support our employees through the financial ups and downs of life and help them make the best decisions for themselves and their families."

The Commonwealth Employee Financial Wellness Program includes:

• Educational programs to assist Commonwealth employees through key milestones in their lives and careers. Financial topics of general interest, such as preventing identity theft and financial planning, are promoted to all Commonwealth employees. The Office of Administration (OA) also delivers live presentations and webinars on the value of the Commonwealth's benefit package to support employee financial wellbeing as well as workforce retention.

• Online Financial Wellness Guide for Commonwealth employees that focuses on financial life events and topicsOpens In A New Window, such as buying a home, paying for college, and saving, and connects employees to benefits and programs that may be able to help. The guide also contains recordings of educational webinars for employees to reference or if they could not attend at the scheduled times.

• Proactive outreach to employees to provide the right information at the right time. Recently hired employees receive information by email about upcoming webinars to help them understand and select their benefits. This is in addition to the benefits information provided during new hire onboarding. Mid-career employees are notified about webinars for retirement planning, such as the deferred compensation benefit. Employees nearing retirement eligibility are invited to learn more about the process and timing for a smooth transition.

The Commonwealth Employee Financial Wellness Program is administrated by OA, with informational content delivered by Commonwealth staff and trusted third parties at no cost to the Commonwealth or employees. In 2023, the financial wellness program had nearly 14,000 participants, with 84 percent saying the content met or exceeded their expectations.

"We're honored to recognize the great work being done across the country to make state government a great place to work," said Leslie Scott, NASPE's Executive Director.

The Commonwealth Employee Financial Wellness Program is part of a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families. Last month, OA announced enhanced benefits for Commonwealth employees to improve workforce recruitment and retention and the overall health of employees and their dependents. They include reduced waiting periods and costs for new hires to enroll in medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits, expanded dental network, and coverage for hospice care beginning on August 1, 2024, and higher maximums for certain dental and vision benefits that will take effect in 2025. In February, OA announced an increase in paid parental leave benefits from six to eight weeks, and new work-life support benefits to provide concierge services to assist with daily challenges and consultative services for caregivers. These changes will help to ensure the Commonwealth's benefits remain competitive with those offered by other employers and meet the evolving needs of workers.

In May, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-01, creating the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower (HIRE) Committee to strengthen the Commonwealth's recruitment, hiring, development, and retention of high-performing employees by attracting younger generations, hiring for historically hard-to-fill jobs, and ensuring our workforce represents the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of Pennsylvania's residents.

The Commonwealth is one of the largest employers in Pennsylvania - and was ranked among the top employers in Pennsylvania by workers in a 2023 survey conducted by Forbes. The Commonwealth was ranked among the top employers in the nation by college graduates in 2023.

Pennsylvanians interested in a career in public service can view current openings on the State Employment website.

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