Research Associates Academic Enrolment

Welcome to the Faculty of Health Sciences! Research Associates are highly valued employees within the Faculty of Health Sciences, whose contributions really make a difference to the advancement of education, research and care within McMaster University. We are happy you have decided to join our Health Sciences community.

The following section contains information to assist you with your enrolment in payroll and benefits, along with helpful resources related to your role as a Research Associate Academic in the FHS.

Begin by reviewing the tab Getting Started below, and follow the instructions provided. For assistance with your enrolment, please refer to our ‘Enrolment Guide for Research Associates Academic. I’f you have any questions as you review the information and complete the forms, please contact your HR Representative.

STEP 1: Review Key Information:

Review the Enrolment Guide for Research Associates Academic for instructions on how to complete the forms required to enroll you in payroll and benefits. Your Forms Checklist can be used to ensure you have completed each of the required forms. You may also wish to review your Benefits at a Glance, or Benefit Booklet for more information on your benefit entitlements. (See our Recommended Resources)

Please note that some benefits are optional and require additional payment for coverage. This is noted with each form where applicable.

STEP 2: Gather the Following Information:

Personal information, including: name, date of birth, marital status, address, phone number, emergency contact information
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
VOID cheque with banking information, including: account number, branch number, and address
Spousal information (if applicable), including: name, date of birth, relationship status, social insurance number, name of employer, whether they are enrolled in their own benefit plan
Dependent information (if applicable), including: full names and dates of birth
Beneficiary information, including: names and relationship to you (e.g., spouse, child) for any beneficiaries you wish to name for life insurance, RRSP, etc.

STEP 3: Complete Forms:

Click on and download each of the forms listed within the ‘Forms to Complete’ tab (most forms are fillable PDFs)
Complete the forms on your computer, or print and complete by hand (attempt to fill in as much information as you are able at this time)

STEP 4: Submit Forms to FHS Human Resources

OPTION 1: Print and sign forms to bring with you to your Welcome Meeting with Human Resources

OPTION 2: Save/Scan and email forms to your HR Representative in advance of your Welcome Meeting

OPTION 3: Opt out of completing forms in advance, and complete them with your HR Representative during your Welcome Meeting

Recommended Resources

Did you know?
McMaster has won the prestigious Global Teaching Excellence Award based on the strength of its experiential learning opportunities, a commitment to global engagement and the work of the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. Organized by the Higher Education Academy in partnership with Times Higher Education, the award recognizes universities with strong, institution-wide approaches to supporting and promoting teaching excellence.

PAYROLL FORMS

1. Employee Contact and Deposit: Collects biographical and contact information for system enrolment; and provides banking information to Payroll to deposit your pay into the back account of your choice.

2. Federal TD1: Determines the amount of federal income tax to be deducted from your pay. You must fill in the applicable sections on both pages of the form.

3. Provincial TD1: Determines the amount of provincial income tax to be deducted from your pay. You must fill in the applicable sections on both pages of the form.

BENEFIT FORMS

Extended Health and Dental Positive Enrolment: Enrolls you in the University’s Extended Health Plan. Coverage pays for eligible services that are medically necessary for the treatment of an illness, including but not limited to: prescription drugs; vision care; paramedical services; hospital expenses, etc. Select family or single coverage as applicable.

2. Group Life Insurance: Enrolls you in the Basic Group Life Insurance Plan, and designates your beneficiary. The University pays 100% of the cost of the basic life insurance premium. If you wish to increase your level of coverage beyond the basic plan, you may do so under the Optional Life Plan by completing the Sun Life Health Statement below.

3. OPTIONAL Life Insurance | Sun Life Health Statement: Beyond the basic plan, employees may choose to participate in the OPTIONAL Group Life Insurance Plan, and you are responsible for the cost of this benefit. Premiums are payable through biweekly payroll deductions. Please visit the Group Life Insurance page for more information.

4. Voluntary Personal Accident Insurance (Accidental Death & Dismemberment): Please complete this form to indicate whether or not you wish to enroll in this optional plan. AD&D is an optional insurance plan which provides employees and their families with coverage in the event of an accidental bodily injury. Refer to the AD&D Booklet for more information. Please note that rates listed are monthly amounts, therefore you will see half the monthly rate deducted through biweekly payroll.

5. Declaration of Spousal Status: Declares an eligible spouse for benefit purposes if you are married or in a common-law relationship (living together for more than one year).

GROUP RRSP FORMS

McMaster has partnered with Dejardins Insurance to provide members of RAA a group retirement savings plan to help you achieve your retirement goals. You will have the opportunity to review the information and forms below in more detail with your HR Representative during your Welcome Meeting. If possible, please take the time to review the information in advance, so you can be prepared to make your investment selection with your HR Representative. Please review our Group RRSP Instructions for more details. Additional recommended resources can be found to the right of this page.

Before you enroll, there are two documents that you should read:

Your plan, your way: This document gives you a summary of your plan.
Your investment funds, your way: This document lists all of the investments offered in your plan and provides some information on how to select the investment options that are best for your situation.

Forms to complete:

Group RRSP Enrolment Form: Enrolls you in McMaster’s mandatory Group RRSP, and allows you to designate your beneficiary (ies). McMaster matches each member’s required contributions. Allows you to choose how your funds will be invested within the Group RRSP. To assist with your decision, complete this brief quiz ‘Your Investor Profile‘. You will be able to change your investment options at any time through your online Desjardins account (register here), or through FHS Human Resources.

REQUIRED SIGNATURES

1. OHIP/UHIP Declaration: Confirms your coverage in a health insurance program in Ontario, necessary for your enrolment in the Extended Health Plan. Must be completed by both individuals from and new to Ontario. If you are coming to us from outside of Ontario, please visit Apply for OHIP, and our University Health Insurance Plan, for more information.

2. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act: Authorizes McMaster University to collect the information you have provided on the forms above, and indicates understanding that the information collected will only be used for academic, administrative, employment-related, financial, and/or statistical purposes of the University.

3. Confidentiality Statement: Indicates your understanding that you must maintain confidentiality of personal, social, health-related, protected research, and other classified information to which you may have access in the course of your employment with McMaster University.

AUTOMATIC ENROLMENT

The following benefits do not require further action on your part for enrolment. However, you are entitled to the following additional benefits:

1.Employee and Family Assistance Program: With an appointment of 12 months or longer, you have access to McMaster’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – Homewood Health. Homewood Health is a professional service that offers counselling, coaching, information and support for a variety of issues relating to: mental health, career, life balance, recovery management, return to work, family support services, and more. All services are strictly confidential.

2. Worldwide Travel Benefits: Insured through Sun Life, your travel benefits covers you and your eligible family members for all the services and supplies covered under your group plan, while travelling outside of Ontario.

3. Tuition Assistance and Bursary Benefits: As a community, McMaster is dedicated to the pursuit of lifelong learning and skills development. The Tuition Assistance and Bursary Benefits are an expression of that dedication and emphasize the University’s commitment to the well-being of its employees and their families.

Recommended Resources

Did you know?
Our Bachelor of Health Sciences Program is the only program in Ontario that draws on the full range of departments within health sciences, including clinical departments of medicine, pathology, psychiatry, and health research methods, evidence and impact. This interdisciplinary, applied approach to health education is part of what makes the BHSc one of the most competitive undergraduate programs in Canada.

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Recommended Resources

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