2019BenefitsSummary

The Benefits of Working at BL Companies

BL COMPANIES BL Companies is a leader in delivering high-quality, integrated architecture, engineering, environmental, land surveying and consulting services in the public and private sectors for land development, building design and infrastructure projects. BL Companies is proud to be 100 percent owned by its employees. Our employee-owners strive to cultivate long lasting relationships with our clients and partners by providing services and resources that achieve successful project delivery. This brochure is an overview of the benefits offered to those working at BL Companies. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (ESOP) As an ESOP structure, our company’s culture is to provide a supportive environment for excellent professionals to grow and develop to their highest potential. Employee ownership is intended to be inclusive — all employees are members of the same team. As stakeholders, employees are encouraged to work toward a common goal — increasing the value of the company, which in turn increases the value of individual ESOP accounts. Other benefits of being an ESOP include employee retention and recruiting, as well as the linkage between performance and personal gain. As an ESOP, utilizing profits to reinvest in the company and its people promotes future growth.

Employee owned. Client driven.

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INTRODUCTORY PERIOD The first 3 months of employment with BL Companies is an Introductory Period. During this time, employees will not receive any paid time off except company-sanctioned holidays. When this 3 month period is over, PTO time that has been accruing since the date of employment is awarded. PAID TIME OFF (PTO) BL Companies provides employees with paid time off as well as paid holidays. The following is the PTO schedule, which accrues, based on a 40-hour work week: • Less than 5 years of relevant experience = 15 days PARENTAL LEAVE BL Companies provides up to two weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of an employee’s child. The purpose of paid parental leave is to enable the employee to care for and bond with a newborn or a newly adopted child. This policy runs concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable. • 5–10 years of relevant experience = 20 days • 10+ years of relevant experience = 25 days

Eligibility Eligible employees must meet the following criteria:

• Have been employed with the company for at least 12 months. • Be a full time employee (part-time and temporary employees and interns are not eligible for this benefit). In addition, employees must meet one of the following criteria: • Have given birth to a child. • Be a spouse or committed partner of a woman who has given birth to a child. • Have adopted a child. The adoption of a child as a result of marriage is excluded from this policy.

Company paid time off is provided from Christmas through New Year’s Day!

HOLIDAYS BL Companies observes the following holidays:

• Thanksgiving • Friday after Thanksgiving • Christmas through New Year’s Day

• President’s Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day

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HEALTH INSURANCE Our health insurance plan is a Preferred Provider Network (PPO) administered by Cigna Open Access Plus. There is a waiting period of 30 days from start date. Currently the cost to employees (per pay period): • $66.00 for individual coverage

Eye exams ($20 co-pay, any provider), frames, lenses, contacts and prescription sunglasses. There is a $200 maximum coverage per member, per calendar year. Prescription Coverage The health insurance plan includes prescription coverage. There are preferred pharmacies to use, but almost all pharmacies fall under the heading of preferred. Under the prescription drug plan, there will be a “formulary” or list of drugs to reference when obtaining medications. All generic prescriptions are on the formulary, and all generic drugs require the lowest co-payment (or $15.00). Brand name drugs that appear on the formulary require the middle co-payment (or $30.00). A brand name prescription that does not appear on the formulary is available but at a higher co-payment (or $45.00).

• $138.00 for employee plus children coverage • $132.00 for employee plus spouse coverage • $177.00 for employee plus family coverage

Medical Coverage As a PPO, there are certain providers in the network who are favored by Cigna Open Access Plus — they have worked out specific rates with them and we reap the benefits of the discounts. If visiting a primary doctor “in-network,” the office visit co-pay is $20.00. In-Network v. Out-of-Network It is always cheaper to choose an in-network provider, but that is not always an option. Sometimes a favorite doctor is not in the network or the choice of doctors and hospitals in the area is not satisfactory. This does not mean that the employee cannot go to the doctor of their choice, it simply means that there is additional cost associated with the visit. The additional cost depends on the type of treatment received, but in general there is a $400.00 deductible applied. This means that you have to generate $400.00 worth of doctor’s bills before the insurance company will pay for 70% of the balance— you are required to pay 30% of the balance. Dental Care Dental visits do not require a network provider. However, employees are encouraged to use a provider from the Cigna Dental PPO Network to benefit from the discounts provided through the network. The plan provides for two free cleanings a year and varying percentages of coverage depending on the work that is being done. Orthodontia is provided for children only. Vision Care Vision visits do not require a network provider. However, employees are encouraged to use a provider from the Cigna Vision Plan to benefit from the discounts provided through the network. This benefit includes:

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LIFE INSURANCE All full-time employees receive a $50,000 life insurance policy whether or not they choose to become members of the health insurance plan. It is provided by the company at no cost to the employee. Voluntary Life Insurance BL Companies offers employees the opportunity to enroll and increase Life Insurance coverage in the Voluntary Life Insurance Plan as long as they remain an eligible employee and continue to pay premiums at a group rate. LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM DISABILITY BL Companies provides full-time employees with Long & Short Term Disability Insurance from Sun Life Assurance Company — free of charge. This insurance is not for cases where an employee is disabled on the job, that would be considered a workers’ compensation claim. Long Term Disability Long Term Disability pays 60% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month to the age of 65. It has a pre- existing condition clause, which states that if the individual has been to the doctor for anything in the 3 months before coverage under the plan, they will not be covered until they have satisfied a 12-month waiting period. Short Term Disability Short Term Disability pays 70% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum benefit of $2,500 per week for up to 12 weeks. There is no pre-existing condition clause, but there is a 7-day “elimination” period (that means one has to be under a doctor’s care for 7 days to qualify for short term disability).

RETIREMENT PLANS

401(k) Plan administered by The Principal Group Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan immediately after receiving first paycheck. Part-time employees have to put in 1000 hours of service over a 12-month consecutive period. There are funds from various asset classifications to choose from and an employee can contribute up to the maximum provided by IRS regulation before taxes. 401(k) Match BL Companies provides a 401(k) match. The 401(k) match is 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2%.

“Our employee-owners have a stake in what we do and how we do it.”

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SUMMARY LIST OF BENEFITS Health Insurance • Medical coverage

Paid Time Off • Accrued time off • Holidays • Bi–weekly pay day (direct deposit available) • Parental Leave Retirement Plans • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) • 401(k) • 401(k) match Professional and Leadership Development • Leadership Development Training Program • Technical Training • Project Management Training

• Dental care • Vision care • Prescription coverage • Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) — health care & dependent care • Employee assistance program

Life Insurance • Basic life insurance • Voluntary life insurance

• Company-paid educational seminars • Professional development assistance • Company-paid professional registration & society memberships Additional Benefits • Short & long term disability insurance • Workers’ compensation insurance • Employee referral finder’s fee program with an option to select student loan repayment • Free parking • TRIP – transportation reimbursement program

For more information, contact our Director of Human Resources Mina Almengor | 203.630.1406 malmengor@blcompanies.com www.blcompanies.com

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT I WHY WE EXIST To provide creative solutions that enhance the built and natural environment through the leadership and dedication of our employee owners working in partnership with our clients. OUR CORE VALUES I WHAT WE STAND FOR Integrity — We behave ethically and respectfully while holding ourselves accountable for our actions and performance. Excellence — We perform our work safely and take pride in achieving outstanding results in all aspects of what we do and the way we do it. Employee Ownership — We encourage the imagination, enthusiasm and collaboration of employees as it creates unlimited potential resulting in sustainable financial performance and profitability. We assist, support and reward personal and professional growth. Relationships — We build enduring relationships with our clients, business partners and communities by providing creative solutions and delivering exceptional service. Agility — We embrace change by being flexible, proactive and decisive in a constantly changing environment.

EMPLOYEE OWNED. CLIENT DRIVEN.

Connecticut | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Jersey | New York North Carolina | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Texas

Corporate Headquarters BL Companies, Inc.

355 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450 800.301.3077 | www.blcompanies.com

@BLCompanies

BL Companies

BL Companies

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