As a new hire at UBC, you may be eligible for a number of benefits plans.
If eligible, you can select or waive plans, add your dependents and beneficiaries, and make changes to your coverage. You are unable to waive plans that are mandatory.
Through Workday, you can complete all your required enrolments in one sitting, in a secure, web-based environment. Carefully review the guidelines below to learn more about the information you need to have on hand to complete the process.
If you have already completed the benefits enrolment task in Workday, please see the After you enrol in benefits page for the final steps to get the most out of your benefits.
Before you begin
There are a few steps to take before you begin the online enrolment process.
1. Review your benefits package and decide which optional benefits you want to be covered for
Before you enrol online, review the benefit package available to you as a UBC employee. There are both mandatory and optional benefits, and some benefits are paid for by you and others are paid by UBC. You need to decide which of the optional benefits you wish to be covered for.
You are not automatically enrolled for all benefits. It is important to understand what UBC benefits you are eligible for and when you will be covered for these benefits. The Workday system will determine the benefits you are eligible for based on your appointment details and age at the date of hire. You can choose to elect or waive some benefit plans and also add your dependents and beneficiaries. You are unable to Waive plans that are mandatory.
If you are a resident of British Columbia, you must enrol in MSP. By law, MSP is mandatory for all eligible residents and their dependents. If you hold a valid work or study permit, you are also eligible.
UBC Extended Health and Dental plans allow for double coverage. This means that if you are covered under your spouse’s plan, you can also enrol in the UBC Extended Health and Dental plans if your spouse’s plan also allows for double coverage. If your spouse’s plan does not allow for double coverage, you must decide which plan you and your family would like to enrol in.
When you enrol in the Extended Health plan you are also covered for UBC’s Surrogacy and Adoption benefits.
2. Gather the following information
You need to know the following before you begin:
- Social insurance number (SIN): You must provide your social insurance number and the social insurance number of your spouse if you are applying for optional life insurance.
- Personal health number (PHN) found on your BC Services Card: The personal health number is proof of your BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) enrolment and is required if you are planning to enrol in the Extended Health plan through UBC. You must provide your own personal health number, as well as the numbers of your dependents (spouse and/or children). If you are new to BC but have coverage under another Canadian provincial health plan, please provide your provincial health number. If you do not have a valid provincial health number (for example, you are new to Canada) click on Submit to skip this step. Once you receive your number from the government, be sure to update it in Workday. Learn more about enrolling in the MSP.
- Dependent information: You will need to provide full names, dates of birth, and addresses of your dependents.
- Proof of birth date for you and your spouse: If you are applying for the UBC Staff Pension Plan, you will need to provide proof of your birth date and the birth date of your spouse, if applicable. This proof can be provided through a copy of a birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card or passport.
Log in to Workday and get started
When you have received a notification that your Benefits Election task is now available in Workday, you can start your enrolment process. You can expect to spend between 15 and 30 minutes completing your enrolments.
Helpful hints and tips
- Resource: Need help? We have pulled together all the best resources into one Benefits Enrolment Guide. This guide includes helpful links and answers to the most common benefits enrolment questions for this complex process.
- Video: For a step-by-step guide to the benefits enrolment process instructions view our Benefits enrolment how-to video (CWL required). This 15-minute video will guide you through the Workday process with on-screen prompts and additional explanations.
- Pay close attention to the optional benefits. The costs associated with optional benefits may be paid by you, UBC or a combination of both. Before you begin, fully understand the benefits and any associated costs.
- Adding dependents. Depending on your eligibility, you can add dependents to some or all of the following benefits: Extended Health, Dental and the Employee Family and Assistance Program.
After you've enrolled: Sign up to Sun Life, Finalize Pharmacare, and check your details
Once you have completed your enrolment in Workday, you can now start using your benefits. There are a few more steps to take in order for you to get the most out of your benefits -- including signing up to the Sun Life member portal and reviewing your benefits for accuracy. You can find this information on the After you enrol in benefits page.
Next steps to set up your benefits
Require assistance?
Contact one of our helpful Benefits Associates, if you have further questions or need assistance with benefits coverage. For Workday resources and help visit the Integrated Service Centre.