Other Benefits

Educational Assistance

The Education Assistance Program is designed to encourage voluntary associate self-development by providing financial assistance to full-time associates for educational opportunities that will allow them to better perform in their current job assignments or will improve their future growth within the company.

Eligibility
All full-time associates are eligible to apply for the Education Assistance Program. Associates must be meeting performance expectations in their current assignment and be in good standing. Associates must be employed for six months prior to be eligible for the Education Assistance Program.

Coursework and Program Qualifications
Courses or programs must be offered by eligible educational organizations that:

• Provide an educational program that is acceptable for full credit toward a GED,
  associate's, bachelor’s, master’s or higher degree.
• Is authorized under federal or state law to provide such a program and is accredited
  by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.

Courses or programs must:

• Be business related and relevant to an associate's current job assignment or a future
  opportunity within the company which the associate aspires to.

When questions arise concerning whether or not a course or program qualifies under the
plan, they will be decided by the Corporate Vice President, Human Resources.

Program Benefits
The company will reimburse 80% of the tuition cost, registration fees and books
(additional course material will be reviewed on a case by case basis) up to a maximum
of $4,000 per calendar year when an associate receives:

• A letter grade of "C" or above;
• A number grade of "70%" or above; and
• A grade of "pass" in a pass/fail grading system, or official documentation indicating
  successful completion (when grades are not issued).

Associates utilizing educational assistance for master’s or Ph.D. programs have an
annual reimbursement cap of $5,250 for educational expenses.

Reimbursement will not be made for costs or fees incurred for placement examinations;
work and life experience credits; hobbies; recreational or self-improvement classes; or
seminars and workshops.

Allowances will not be made for travel time, mileage, meals or related lodging. Wages
will not be paid for time spent attending classes except for special approved courses.

Approval Process
1. Before enrolling in a course of study, associates must apply by completing the “Education Assistance Degree Record” and the “Education Assistance Program Application” forms, and have the forms approved by their functional leader and Functional Vice President. Human Resources or Corporate Training in Windsor, Connecticut, as applicable, must receive and approve the application forms prior to the start of the course.

2. The “Education Assistance Degree Record” outlines the entire course of study required for completion of the degree. The “Education Assistance Program Application” indicates the specific course(s) the associate will be immediately enrolling in for the upcoming quarter/semester.

3. Upon final HR approval, the associate and leader will be given copies of the approved forms. If the program is not approved, the associate and leader will be given copies of the forms with an explanation of why the application was denied.

4. For each subsequent quarter/semester, the associate will complete the “Education Assistance Program Application” form and go through the approval process prior to enrolling.

Reimbursement Process
No advance payments will be made for educational assistance. Reimbursements will be totaled in the year they were paid out. For example, if the course ended in December 2008, and the associate was reimbursed in January 2009, that reimbursement would count towards the 2009 maximum benefit limit.

The following must occur for an associate to be reimbursed:
1. Completion of the course with the final grade being "C" or 70% (pass) or better.
2. Completion of the “Education Assistance Reimbursement” form with a legible
copy of the grade and the tuition receipt stapled to it.
3. Above documentation is forwarded to Human Resources or Corporate Training
in Windsor as applicable.

Termination of employment prior to completion of the course negates eligibility. However, in the event of position elimination, an associate may receive reimbursement providing the course or program had been approved as outlined previously and had commenced prior to the position elimination. The associate must also satisfy the reimbursement criteria outlined above.

Reimbursement is processed through payroll. Tuition reimbursement may or may not be considered taxable income depending on current IRS regulations and limitations.

Associates who voluntarily leave the company within 12 months of completion of their last class or graduation date may be required to repay the full amount of educational assistance received within the last twelve months of employment.