Q&A about Odyssey Transition

Below are questions and answers regarding the Odyssey transition. If you have additional questions, please email.

Additional FAQ information from Odyssey is also available.

Q:  Will I maintain my original hire date with Gentiva when I transition to Banner?

A:  Yes, Banner will honor your original dates of hire.    

Q: Will I receive on-call pay?

A: Yes. Nonexempt employees are eligible for on-call and callback pay.  Please refer to Banner’s Frequently Asked Questions about On-Call and Callback Pay Practices for additional information.

Q: Will all Odyssey hospice employees transition over to Banner? 

A:  Our objective is to transition most all positions and retain business as usual. Norm McGee will be leading the operational review.  He and David Baker, CEO of Banner’s Hospice business, will identify any positions that may not transfer into Banner. We anticipate that this will impact a very small number of roles.In those cases, we will be encouraging anyone impacted to talk with us about other opportunities within the greater Banner family. We are committed to completing the operational review by November 15th.

Q:  If there is not a comparable position at Banner for me to move to, will I receive severance?

A:  Yes, in those few cases, Banner would alert your Gentiva HR representative who would then work directly with you in discussing your severance eligibility.

Q:  Will Banner be using LPN’s in the units?

A:  We are expecting to continue business as usual. 

Q:  Will my PTO carry over to Banner?

A:  No, Gentiva will be paying out your PTO balances.

Q:  What if I have already scheduled time off over the holidays?

A:  We will ask that you work through your current site leadership for any time off requests. Our plan is to honor your pre-approved PTO requests without pay. Remember, you would have received payment of your PTO through the payout from Gentiva.

Q:  How does PTO work at Banner?

A:  PTO accrues per pay period. The accrual that you receive is also based upon years of service.  Unused PTO is carried over from year to year up to the PTO maximum balance based on years of service.

Q:  Will employees who already used all of their PTO have to pay it back?

A:  Please contact your Gentiva HR representative regarding explanation of how this will be handled.

Q:  Do I have to use my PTO for holidays at Banner?

A:  Yes, your PTO bucket at Banner includes vacation, sick and holiday pay. Note that if you have time scheduled and approved for December, we will be honoring those requests without pay because Gentiva will be paying out your PTO dollars prior to taking the time off.

Q:  Will my 401K transfer to Banner?

A:  Please contact your 401K provider directly for rollover information and instructions.

Q:  Do we have to wait a year for the 401K match?

A:  Banner will be honoring your dates of service.  If you have already completed one year of service with Odyssey, you will not be required to wait to participate in the 401K matching.

Q:  When will my benefits start with Banner?

A:  As long as you enroll, your benefits will begin on December 1, 2012.

Q:  When can I enroll in benefits?

A:  You will be able to enroll as soon as you are notified that your information has been loaded into the Banner system.  Remember, you will need to enroll twice – once for 2012 and once for 2013. 

Q: What happens to deductibles that I’ve already paid into for this year?

A:  Your deductibles will not transfer to Banner.

Q: What happens to the stock I’ve purchased?

A:  Please speak to your Gentiva representative for questions regarding the Gentiva employee stock purchase plan.

Q:  Are there shift differentials for nights and weekends?

A:  Yes. All nonexempt employees are eligible for an 18% Night Shift Differential in Arizona for hours worked between 7pm and 7am. Employees must work a minimum of 2 hours between 7pm and 7am in order to receive night shift differential.

Q:  What is the difference between part-time and full-time?

A:  You are considered to be a “benefits eligible” employee if you are regularly scheduled to work 32 hours or more per pay period and are classified as a full-time or part-time employee. Full-time employees are scheduled to work 64 or more hours per pay period on a continuous basis. Part-time employees are scheduled to work a minimum of 32 hours but less than 64 hours per pay period on a continuous basis.

Q:  Will my sick time transition to Banner?

A:  Sick time balances will not transition to Banner.   Please contact your Gentiva HR representative for their decision regarding your sick time balances. 

Q:  If we already completed the Biometrics Screening with Gentiva, do we have to complete it again with Banner?

A:  Yes, if you wish to participate in Banner’s program.

Q:  Will we still maintain our tenure if we move into a different position?

A:  Yes, as long as you accept the role during the transition process and it is effective 12/1/12.

Q:  Will we receive mileage reimbursement?  What is the amount?

A:  Yes, you will receive mileage reimbursement.  The business mileage reimbursement rate for 2012 is 41.63 cents per mile.

Q:  When will we be eligible for a merit increase?

A:  We at Banner are in the process of transitioning to a common review for 2013.  It is our intent to include the Odyssey staff in the transition.  The performance review and merit process will be happening in April 2013.  Stay tuned as you will be hearing more about this transition, along with other Banner employees, in the coming months.

Q:  Will we have to wear a uniform at Banner?  If so, will there be an allowance?

A:  Right now it is business as usual.  Continue with your current practices and any changes or recommendations for change will be coming through Norm McGee. 

Q:  Will Medline still be our supplier?

A:  Your leadership will be included in a thoughtful review of vendors, supplies and practices.  At this point, we ask that you continue with business as usual.

Q:  Can we put CLS in the Banner sites for better access?

A:   Your leadership will be included in a thoughtful review of operational practices, both at Banner and Odyssey.  At this point, we ask that you continue with business as usual.

Q:  When and how will patients are notified?

A:   There is a communication strategy that has been outlined by both Gentiva and Banner.  Your leaders will be alerted of details associated with specifics as the strategy is executed upon.

Q:  Will we be advertising our hospice once we are with Banner?

A:  Again, your leadership will begin a thoughtful review of operational practices.  This would be one of the many topics open for discussion and review.

Q:  Will we still be allowed to take PTO time to make up hours if we are short?

A:  You may request PTO time as you feel necessary with approval from you supervisor.

Q:  I worked for Banner previously. Will that time be credited?

A:  Employees who return to Banner within twelve months will have the length of service “bridged” for designated benefits and seniority back to their most recent previous hire date. 

Q:  Will I maintain my original hire date when I transition to Banner?

A:   Yes, your hire date with Odyssey will be honored and your service date will be bridged.  This means that Banner will use your Odyssey hire date to give credit for service that applies to:

• PTO accrual
• Eligibility for the 401(k) match
• Enhanced dental coverage
• Eligibility for disability coverage