Shared Success

Shared Success is Westar Energy's commitment and partnership with employees in the pursuit of success as a company and as individual employees. Its intent is to make our time together fulfilling, challenging and rewarding.


Please note the Shared Success logo. The two strands of the double helix represent Westar Energy and its employees. The helix signifies the company's success is intertwined with that of its employees. Each rung of the symbol represents one of the four components or Share Success -- compensation, benefits, learning and development, and work/life balance.

At Westar Energy, we are committed to operating a safe, reliable, open and innovative electric utility with uncompromising integrity. We provide a thriving, positive work environment where employees are proud to work, diversity is celebrated and all are treated with respect.


Westar Energy's commitment to employees is demonstrated by providing opportunities for personal growth and development, as well as through competitive compensation and benefits. In addition to market-based salary, our compensation package includes incentive programs to recognize and reward outstanding performance.


Our benefits program is designed to meet the diverse needs of employees and their families today, as well as in the future. The following is an overview of the current benefits Westar Energy provides to its employees.

Insurance Benefits

Westar Energy realizes that it is important for our employees to have choices in order to meet their unique needs. To that end we offer a comprehensive, flexible benefits package available on the first day of employment. Westar Energy provides a generous contribution toward healthcare premiums. Employee contributions can be paid on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.

Medical

• Choice of preferred provider organization (PPO) options are available depending on Bargaining Unit or Non-Union position status



• No waiting periods or pre-existing condition limitations



• Prescription drug benefit



• Vision plan

Dental

• 100 percent coverage on preventive services



• Cavity repair, root canals and restoration coverage



• Orthodontia

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health care reimbursement account for up to $5,000 per year on a pre-tax basis to pay for health care expenses not paid by insurance



• Dependant care reimbursement account for up to $5,000 per year on a pre-tax basis to pay for child/elder care expenses

Income Protection Benefits

Depending upon the circumstances regarding an illness or emergency, employees may qualify for the following:

Sick Leave

• Paid sick leave based on time of service

Disability

• Short-term disability coverage to Non-Union employees.



• Long-term disability coverage of 60 percent of monthly salary.

Life Insurance

• Company-provided basic life insurance



• Supplemental life insurance in increments of one to four times annual base salary



• Four levels of spouse life insurance (up to $100,000)



• Two levels of dependant child life insurance (up to $10,000)

Retirement Benefits

Westar Energy provides both 401(k) and pension plans to assist employees in planning for their retirement.

Retirement Plan

• Participation after 12 months of "service" and 1000 hours with the company



• Bargaining Unit FAE benefit vests after five years of credited service



• Non-Union Cash Balance benefit vests after three years of credited service



• Company sponsored and funded

• Employees may contribute 1 to 50 percent of their pay on a combination of pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax basis



• After one year of service, the company matches 75 percent of the first 6 percent of applicable earnings contributed by the employee into the plan



• Age 50 Catch-up contribution also available



• 11 diversified investment options plus 11 additional target retirement fund options

Westar Energy's employees are from a variety of backgrounds and are interested in opportunities for continuous learning. Westar Energy recognizes that desire and offers a variety of learning programs and career support to meet these needs.

Tuition Reimbursement

• Available after 6 months of service



• Reimbursement of up to $100 toward textbooks and up to 85% of tuition and fees for coursework leading towards a business degree or course of study that supports your career development with Westar Energy

Learning Opportunities

• Westar Energy Learning Systems offer a variety of learning opportunities in many different formats including instructor-led courses, mentoring, coaching, e-learning and training resources from an internal library



• In-house computer courses for all employees

Internal Job Opportunities

• Online job posting allows employees to apply for positions within the company

To support a variety of other needs not covered by traditional benefit plans, Westar Energy offers the following programs and policies:

Vacation

• Vacation is provided based on years of service

Holidays

• Nine fixed holidays



• Floating holidays(s)

Dependant Care Leave

• Paid leave is provided to care for ill dependents

Employee Assistance Program

• Includes professional and confidential counseling services



• Includes legal, financial and family support services

Adoption Assistance

• Reimburses employees for eligible expenses up to a maximum of $2,000

Community Partners

• The company recognizes company volunteers who give back to the community by matching donations and contributing annually to qualified organizations to which employees donate their time

Service Awards

• Service recognition is awarded at five year intervals

Relocation Assistance

• Subject to management's discretion, reimbursement may be available for company-allowed relocation expenses