• Insurance

    New employees are required to attend an orientation/benefits meeting and enroll in insurance within 30 days of your benefit-eligible start date. The purpose of our orientation/benefit meeting is to provide a basic orientation, give detailed information about our insurance/benefits, and review our enrollment process.  New employees who are not benefit-eligible need only attend the first portion of the meeting pertaining to orientation. The insurance enrollment process must be completed within 30 calendar days from your official (benefit-eligible) start date. 

    Please note: Once you enroll in your insurance, it will become effective (or retroactive) as of your benefit-eligible start date. Not enrolling in the insurance options within 30 days of eligibility forfeits your rights to district insurance for the current school/insurance year with the exception of a qualifying life event. Attendance is required, even if you are waiving/declining insurance benefits. Waiver form(s) need to be signed and submitted to the insurance department, in addition to indicating this on Worklife (our electronic enrollment system).

    Important updates to payroll and time tracking

    Payroll and time tracking updates are designed to ensure accuracy in district timekeeping and payroll and to align with all applicable labor laws. Effective July 1, 2025, Anoka-Hennepin Schools will be implementing a new time tracking system for all hourly employees. This will involve electronically clocking in and out at the beginning and end of each work day, as well as for all meal breaks. Additionally, all timecards will require supervisor approval before payroll processing. This will enhance transparency and ensure hourly employees are compensated accurately for their time worked.

    Salaried employees do not need to clock in and clock out as they are exempt from overtime pay. These positions require a commitment to whatever time is necessary to accomplish assigned duties and responsibilities. Supervisors are responsible for managing their schedules and workload.

    Breaks and meal periods are an important part of the workday, and the district is providing clarity as to how these will work under the new system:

    • Restroom and stretch breaks: Consistent with state law, hourly employees are ensured time to use the nearest restroom within each four consecutive hours of work. We also encourage short stretch breaks throughout the day as needed to help employees stay comfortable and focused. Short breaks, including necessary restroom and stretch breaks, that are less than 20 minutes in duration are considered paid time. During these shorter breaks, hourly employees are still officially on duty. While we always aim to minimize interruptions, please be aware that if an urgent work matter arises, hourly employees may be respectfully asked to return to performing duties during these short paid breaks.

    • Duty-free meal time (Lunch): For employees working six or more consecutive hours, a duty-free meal period will be provided. Most employees at the ESC will be scheduled for an 8.5-hour workday, which includes a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch break, resulting in 8 hours of paid work per day or 40 hours per week.

      • Clocking out for lunch: It is essential that hourly employees clock out at the beginning of their designated lunch break and clock back in when they return to work, since the scheduled lunch break is duty-free and unpaid.

    • Work schedules: Direct supervisors are responsible for setting daily work schedules, including assigning lunch periods, to ensure operational needs are met while adhering to these policies. Adjustments to the daily work schedule may be made at the supervisor’s discretion. Some employees may have work schedules that encompass more or less than 8.5 hours per day, depending on the needs of the department schedule and position. For example, if a full-time employee is assigned a 1 hour lunch break, the work day would span 9 hours to equal 8 hours of paid work time per day.

    It is recognized that adjusting to a new time tracking system and approval process may take some getting used to. The Anoka-Hennepin Schools Human Resources department is here to support you. Supervisors are being provided with training and user guides throughout the month of June. Videos will also be available soon to help hourly employees become familiar with the new system.

    The goal is to implement these changes with minimal disruption and maximum clarity. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to improve our payroll accuracy and compliance. Please reach out to your supervisor or the Human Resources department if you have any questions. Questions regarding payroll changes may also be submitted via email to 2025PayChanges@ahschools.us.
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