BRICK Buffalo FAQs

• How to request time off?

All time off requests should be submitted via BambooHR: 

1. Login to your BambooHR dashboard 

2. Once on your dashboard, locate the red “Request Time Off” button  which will take you to the next page where you will select dates and category of time off you wish to use. 

3. Once submitted your direct supervisor will review your request for approval. Please note that a submission requesting time off doesn’t automatically lead to an approval. 

• How to cancel a time off request?

1. Login to your BambooHR dashboard 

2. Once on your dashboard, go to your profile and locate the “Time Off” tab, scroll down the page to “Upcoming Time Off” section where all time off requests will be listed and hover over the request you would like to cancel and choose the pencil icon to edit and select “Cancel Request”. 

3. Once all changes have been made the request should disappear from your listed time off. 

• How to change/ update a time off request?

1. Login to your BambooHR dashboard 

2. Once on your dashboard, go to your profile and locate the “Time Off” tab, scroll down the page to the “Upcoming Time Off” section where all time off requests will be listed and hover over the request you would like to cancel and choose the pencil icon to edit and make all changes and save. 

3. Once all changes have been made the request will be sent to your direct supervisor for approval

• How do I add an unpaid day/time off for staff members?

1. Login to your BambooHR dashboard 

2. Once on your dashboard, go to your profile and locate the “Time Off” tab, request a unpaid day off. 

What is my PTO policy?

• PTO policies are found in the Employee Handbook.  Staff should go into the Handbook to learn more.  Holidays when each entity are closed can be observed in the HRIS (Bamboo).

• Take note that all staff members are on a 7/1 accrual date and benefit year.  For staff that start on 7/1, that starts Year 1.  For staff that start after 7/1, but before the following 7/1, they are in year 0 and have time allotted

• What happens to my benefits while on Leave of Absence?

FMLA protects an employees' job for 12-weeks.  When an employee goes on a company approved leave of absence, benefits remain until the last day of the month following the 12-week leave.  If a staff member is on a leave of absence for longer than benefits are offered, the employee will have to access benefits through COBRA.  In other words, the employer paid portion will stop and the employee will be solely responsible for the benefit coverage and related costs.

• What is the process for taking a leave of absence?

Staff can learn more about taking a leave of absence through reviewing their Employee Handbook.  The visual linked here also outlines the process and timeline.  It is important that staff are requesting their LOA 45 to 60 days in advance.

• What is our Pay Schedule?  

  • Employees get paid twice a month on the 15th & the 30th. If either of those days fall on a weekend, employees will be paid the Friday before. 

• Questions regarding taxes and larger % when admin pay/stipends added

  • IRS calculator -  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

  • 2023 rates - https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/payroll-tax-rates/#:~:text=Federal%20payroll%20tax%20rates%20for,exceed%20%24200%2C000%20in%20a%20year

• How do I update my direct deposit information? 

  • BRICK/SWPN/BRICK Buffalo: Login to TriNet and follow this pathway:
    Employee- money- pay options and edit accordingly.

• How do I access my W2?

  • From 2018 to 2023 BRICK, SWPN, and Achieve were partnered with TriNet as their PEO.  To access W2 documents from that period, employees and former employees must log into their TriNet account.  If employees have any issues accessing their TriNet account, they should reach out to TriNet at 1-800-638-0461 

• What do I do if I have a question about my paycheck?

  • Please contact the HR Manager (at hr@brickeducation.org), and expect a response in 48 hours. If this is an urgent matter, please use the subject: Urgent- Payroll Inquiry: 

• I am confused as I am employed by BRICK Buffalo but my W2 and paycheck says TriNet. What is the difference?

  • TriNet is the PEO, Professional Employer Organization, that BRICK works with.  Essentially BRICK Buffalo and TriNet are co-employers.  In this arrangement, the PEO (TriNet) performs various employee administration tasks, such as payroll and benefits administration, on behalf of BRICK Buffalo.  

  • If filing for unemployment, you must use the TriNet FEIN: 48-1304650 

  • However, if filing for public loan forgiveness, you would use the BRICK Buffalo FEIN: 92-1489391

• Where can I get more information regarding stipend payments?

  • In the payroll section of BRICKfo we have listed the year pay dates and also shared more information regarding "stipend" pay. 

• How do I acquire a NY certification?

  • https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/applicant.html

As a support to staff, staff are reminded that as members of TriNet, they have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to request support.  Staff can access 24/7 via the resource line: (888) 893-5893,or on the member portal: https://fei.mylifeexpert.com/login/trinet.  This is a free resource to support staff and their families through difficult times.

Key features include:

• Access to EAP counselors by phone

• Confidential assistance for personal, family and work-related concerns

• Online resources and tools for subjects including career development, parenting child and elder care, legal issues and financial concerns

• Health and wellness information

If staff need immediate support, they should contact the National Hopeline at 988 (https://988lifeline.org.).  Dialing 988 will connect you with the Suicide & Crisis Prevention Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free confidential support to anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Calls, texts, or chats to 988 will connect you with a trained counselor who will listen, understand, and provide support and access to resources to address your immediate needs as well as your ongoing care.

What is tenure?

Tenure is a legal status that provides teachers and certain other staff with rights before they can be non-renewed. It is NOT a guarantee of permanent employment.

How does tenure work in New York?

• Eligibility: Tenure is typically earned after completing 4-year probationary period though time may be reduced to 3 years if the staff has prior tenure in another NY district.

  • Must receive annual performance review of Effective or Highly Effective in the final two consecutive years of the probationary period.

• Tenure is NOT automatic. Principals and boards must agree on the decision to grant tenure.

How does tenure affect non-renewal or separation?

• Before tenure: Staff can be non-renewed without cause or hearing.

• After tenure: Tenured staff are entitled to due process under state law before dismissal for cause.

If an employee is injured at work, the worker's compensation section of the Handbook must be followed.  This requires the staff member be evaluated by the School Nurse and a Formal Incident Repot and Nurse repot be submitted.  Staff members must have a claim number from the Talent team prior to seeking approved medical care.  

BRICK, SWPN, and BRICK Buffalo medical providers can be searched through this site.  Log-in using the Username and password of TRINET.  Select "find a provider" from the upper right.

If an employee is required to seek medical attention, an employee must provide the medical clearance prior to returning to work.  All medical clearances should be emailed to hr@brickeducation.org 

We know that questions often come up about unemployment benefits during the summer or other scheduled school breaks. As a 10 or 11-month employee, your work schedule is tied to the academic year. Because of this, unemployment benefits are usually not available during periods when school is closed and you are expected to return when the school year resumes.

This FAQ is designed to explain why and answer the most common questions we hear.

Why am I not eligible for unemployment benefits during the summer?

Under federal and state employment laws, school employees who work on a 10 or 11-month schedule are generally not eligible for unemployment benefits during scheduled breaks (such as summer recess). This is because you have a “reasonable assurance of continued employment” when the school year resumes.

What does “reasonable assurance” mean?

“Reasonable assurance” means you have a written, verbal, or implied agreement that you will return to your position in the next academic year.

Does this apply to all breaks or just summer?

Yes, this rule applies to all scheduled school breaks if you are expected to return to work afterward.

What if my position is eliminated or I have not been offered a contract for the new academic year?

If you receive notice that your position is eliminated or a non-renewal notice, you may be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Labor and not BRICK Networks or members of its staff.