Careers

Universal® strives to obtain a competitive benefits package for its employees. Listed below are the details on the current benefits plans.

The rates and plans are subject to change without notice. For more detailed information about Universal's benefits, contact Human Resources at (713) 944-1622.

Welfare Benefit Plans

Basic Benefits (automatic enrollment with no cost to employee)

• Group Term Life Insurance: $50,000 or 1 times base salary (the greater amount)
• AD&D Insurance: Equal in value to the Group Term Life Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Salary Continuation Program  
• Long-term Disability Insurance

Elective Benefits

Pre-tax

• Medical: Choice Care PPO (Humana)
• Dental: Total Reimbursement Dental (Benefits Stream)
• Vision: Vision insurance (VSP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Medical and Dependent Care (Chappelle Benefits)
• Supplemental Insurance: Cancer and Accident Policies (Worksite Benefits)

Current Pre-tax Semi-monthly Payroll Deductions

Plan Type	Employee Only	Employee and Child(ren)	Employee and Spouse	Employee and Family
Medical	$22.50	$83.25	$122.00	$216.00
Dental	$2.50	$20.00	$20.00	$20.00
Vision	$5.64	$9.02	$9.21	$14.84

After-tax

• Supplemental Life Insurance (Guardian)
• Supplemental Short-term Disability (Worksite Benefits)

Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan*

• The Company sponsors and maintains a 401(k) plan, under which an employee may elect to defer up to 80% of his or her compensation to the maximum allowed by the IRS. The company has a discretionary quarterly match of $.75 for every dollar deferred, up to 6% of an employee's total gross compensation. 100% vesting of matching company contributions occurs after three years of service.
• Eligibility begins the first month following 30 days of employment.

Twice-Annual Fiscal Year Bonus

Each full-time, active employee is eligible for a discretionary meritorious award, based on company, division, and individual performance.  Fiscal Bonuses are scheduled twice annually, with a payout after the close of the first two fiscal quarters and again after the close of the fiscal year.  New employees must be on payroll for a full quarter to be eligible to participate in the program (by either October 1 or April 1). The Board of Directors will determine discretionary contributions following the close of each fiscal period.

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Leaves of Absence

Holidays

The company has eight paid holidays per calendar year.

Short-Term Absences

Short-term absences accrue monthly, for a calendar-year total of 48 hours. Employees may carry over a maximum of 72 hours into the next calendar year.

Vacation

Employees joining Universal prior to July 1 are eligible for two weeks’ vacation during that calendar year of employment.  New employees joining after July 1 will receive one week for that calendar year and two weeks for the next calendar year.

• On January 1st of the 3rd year anniversary – 3 weeks vacation
• On January 1st of the 6th year anniversary – 4 weeks
• On January 1st of the 11th year anniversary – 4 weeks + 1 day of vacation

Military Reserves or National Guard Leave of Absence

Pursuant to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ("USERRA"), employees who serve in U.S. military organizations or state militia groups shall be granted the following rights and protections when on active duty, weekend drill or active duty for training.

Status

employees who enlist, are inducted, or are recalled to active military duty are considered to be on a military leave of absence. A military leave will be granted for up to five years, plus one year for an involuntary duty extension.

Pay

Employees who serve in U.S. military organizations or state militia groups and have been with the Company for one year or more are protected from loss of pay for up to 10 days each year for Active Duty for Training ("ACDUTRA"). The Company will pay the difference between what an employee would have been paid during that absence and what the employee received for service. This is a maximum of 10 days per year.
Employees who have been called to active duty will receive full differential over the first tour to a maximum of 18 months. Then, one-half of the differential will be provided for the next six months of active duty. The differential pay could occur more than once during an employee's tenure with the Company; however, not more than 24 months consecutively.
An employee is expected to notify their manager as soon as they are aware of the dates they will be on duty so that arrangements can be made for replacement during this absence.

Benefits

For leaves in excess of 31 days, the employee may elect to pay for medical continuation coverage through COBRA for up to 24 months. COBRA information will be mailed to the employee. When the employee returns to work, 401(k) benefits and seniority rights pertaining to increases, job levels, and leave accruals will be retained. For leaves of less than 31 days, there is no change in medical coverage.

Active Duty for Training or Weekend Service

It is important to note that the five-year period covered under USERRA and described in the 'Status' section above also pertains to National Guard duty; however, ACDUTRA and weekend duty do not apply to the cumulative time as outlined in USERRA. For each weekend or two-week ACDUTRA, the employee is considered on military leave for pay purposes, but benefit coverage continues as if actively at work.

Other Company-Sponsored Benefits

Health Club Privilege

Employees may take advantage of the 24-hour complimentary facilities available at the Marriott Hotel, which is located next to the Houston Corporate office. Workout equipment and an indoor pool are available.

Training Programs

Employees may improve their skills in a variety of training programs on company time. Topics include Microsoft® Office, Oracle® Database, Management Development, and a variety of team development options.

Work / Family Support Programs

• Flexible work schedules allow employees to balance work with family and personal needs. Schedules are individually coordinated with the employee's management.
• The Company also offers employee-counseling services through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist in identifying and resolving personal concerns that may affect work performance.

Credit Union

Employees and their families may take advantage of the Southwest Airlines Credit Union, which provides savings accounts and loans for members. Employees may join by opening a savings account with a minimum deposit of $50.

Other Benefits

• Corporate casual dress every day
• Anniversary Service Award Recognition
• Direct payroll deposit
• Family picnic
• Holiday party
• On-site book fair twice a year
• Annual Health & Benefits Fairs
• Occasional Popcorn Thursdays
• Occasional BBQ luncheons
• Community involvement: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, ORBIS, Exchange Club, Operation Smile

The company reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change the benefits program at any time, in whole or in part. In the event of a conflict between this summary and the benefits plan, the plan documents will control.