While the NPS’ website has links which identify your benefits, it can be difficult to find answers to questions especially in unexpected times of crisis or need. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to anticipate life events and plan accordingly. While the short list below is in no way complete, it does offer some topics that could direct your thinking.
Short and Long Term Disability Insurance Benefit: Provided through MTA Benefits at an additional fee, long and short term disability insurance can provide an additional layer of security in uncertain times. Additional information can be found on the NPS site, the MTA Benefits page, or Unum.
Life Insurance Benefit: Employees signed up for their benefits, including life insurance benefit, upon hire by Needham Public Schools. The information related to life insurance, including access, and beneficiaries of- are not located within the NPS Human Resources Department, but is instead held by the town administrative offices. The NEA does not have access to this information.
It is the responsibility of employees to make sure that beneficiary information is current and to inform beneficiaries how to access life insurance policies before times of crisis.
To update beneficiaries and/or obtain copies of life insurance policies, please contact:
Tatiana Swanson, Director of Human Resources
1471 Highland Ave. Needham, MA 02492
P: 781-455-7500
F: 781-455-0165
E: tswanson@needhamma.gov
The NPS website hosts a great deal of pertinent information related to licensure. Your current teaching license is a requirement of employment within NPS. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to know when your teaching license is expiring as well as meeting any requirements to renew/advance your license. DESE’s ELAR site has been updated several times over the past few years. The link above will help you check in with your professional responsibilities
An EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is a benefit to help school employees and their families cope with the stresses of life and work-including personal and family issues, drug or alcohol problems, and job related tensions. The EAP helps employees by offering both treatment and prevention services. It provides confidential counseling, consultation, and education.
The Needham Public Schools’ EAP partners with The Human Relations Service located in Wellesley. There are five free visits available to use for NPS employees.
NPS Social Media Guidelines, 2024:
NPS has taken steps to create guidelines for social media use. Posts that violate confidentiality, blur professional boundaries, or reflect poorly on your institution may have serious consequences. Always assume online content can become public and think carefully before posting to protect your career. Ultimately, it is up to you to exercise professional judgement in how you interact with social media in both your professional and personal life. Specific questions related to NPS’ social media policy can be directed towards your building reps.
This link, accessible only from your NPS profile, has links which cover things from labor laws to workers’ comp claims, from fingerprinting to tuition reimbursement. Please familiarize the location of this portal and scan its contents should you ever need to access the info.