Smoking Cessation & Tuition Assistance Agreements

"Stop Smoking" Policy: In order to encourage employees to make choices that result in good health, Orion Associates provides a "stop smoking" incentive program to qualified employees. 

All eligible employees may receive this benefit only once during their employment. 

The organization will offer a bonus of $500.00 to qualified employees who successfully quit smoking and agree to abide by the following conditions:

     A. Employees who have quit smoking and who seek to receive this bonus must sign a form, agreeing to the provisions of the policy. If they do so, they will receive
the bonus six (6) months after signing the agreement.

     B. The agreement will state that the employee agrees to return the $500.00 if they begin smoking again at any time during their employment with the organization. Employees will agree to have this repayment deducted from their final paychecks. The determination as to whether the employee has begun smoking again or not, is entirely at the discretion of the organization's Officers.

Qualified employees include those employed by , Orion Associates, Meridian Services or Zenith Services who have been employed with the organization or sixty (60) days or more. 

I understand the above stop smoking policy and agree to abide by its conditions. I agree to return the $500.00 if I begin smoking again at any time during my employment with the organization. I agree to have this repayment deducted from my final paychecks.

Tuition Assistance Policy: In order to encourage the pursuit of ongoing education, Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Sericces Incorporated provides a tuition assistance benefit to qualified employees. Recognizing the needs of the organization and the responsibilities of management, the tuition assistance levels are based on a part-time academic schedule. All tuition assistance must be approved at the Executive level.

The organization will provide tuition assistance for academic coursework, in a course of study relevant to the field of human services.

The organization will provide tuition assistance up to 80% of the cost of courses,
up to a maximum benefit of $ 1500.00 for undergraduate study and a maximum benefit of $ 2500.00 for graduate study, per academic year (September 1st to August 31st).

Tuition assistance will be provided after a course is completed, with proof of both the cost and successful completion of the course.

Tuition assistance does not apply to books, supplies, or fees.

Tuition assistance funds are based on the annual corporate budget.
The funds are limited, and will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.

Employees receiving tuition assistance will be required to commit themselves in writing to the following obligations:

a. Employees who receive an “incomplete” or receive a grade below “C” for a course, will not receive tuition assistance.

b. Employees who resign before 12 months, after completing reimbursed coursework, will agree to repay 100% of the tuition paid by the organization.

c. Employees who resign 13 to 18 months after completing reimbursed coursework, will agree to repay 67% of the tuition paid by the organization.

d. Employees who resign 19 to 24 months after completing reimbursed coursework, will agree to repay 34% of the tuition paid by the organization

e.Qualified employees include all Full-Time employees who have been employed with the organization or 2 (two) years of more. Qualified Part-Time employees are eligible for this benefit on a pro-rated basis.