Benefits of Working at Brown

The benefits of working at Brown go beyond health coverage and retirement savings, with access to career development opportunities, wellness programs, special discounts and more.

Brown University is committed to helping employees develop professionally. Whether taking on new challenges and opportunities or through training and development, employees at Brown can follow a range of pathways suitable to their career aspirations and find support with work-life balance, flexible schedules and wellness.

As part of a leading nonprofit research university, Brown University employees are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world. They are integral members of a diverse community of professionals whose work supports Brown’s mission of academic excellence, intellectual freedom and service.

Brown offers exceptional benefits across a range of personal and professional needs, including a full menu of health coverage options; employer retirement matches of up to 8-10%, depending on age and years of service; and programs that support the continued education of employees and their families; among many other benefits.

Questions about these or other benefits at Brown? Contact University Human Resources at [email protected].

Explore Careers at Brown

Career Development

employees engaged at a gathering

Career Development

Brown offers numerous pathways for employees to learn, grow and develop as they continue on their career journey.

Leading From Where You Are is an eight session program to help Brown staff cultivate leadership skills within their current roles through a blend of instructor-led sessions, self-paced learning, article reviews and group discussions. Individuals apply to participate in a small cohort each year.
Employees can set goals, manage their career path and take a variety of online courses through the human resources platform Workday.
Brown employees have access to thousands of self-paced courses on technology, software, and business topics through LinkedIn.
The Employee Education Program provides eligible employees with financial assistance toward courses at Brown and other institutions.
Brown University employees can study up to 31 languages online with Rosetta Stone.
Hosted by University Human Resources Talent Development and held in June, Staff Development Day offers a slate of learning opportunities for staff, including hands-on workshops, professional development, classes, lectures, discussions and community volunteering.
Brown’s Global Day of Inclusion is an opportunity for staff to engage in conversations and work around diversity, equity and inclusion in their professional and personal lives.
Held in the spring, B.E.A.R. Day is a series of events celebrating staff at Brown, including a speaking program and reception for all, a luncheon for staff marking their fifth, 10th and ongoing milestone anniversaries at Brown, and special recognition of individuals receiving Excellence Awards for contributions in eight categories.

Wellness

a man riding a bicycle around campus

Wellness

In addition to several health insurance options, Brown’s holistic approach to employee wellness incorporates mental and emotional support as well as programs focused on nutrition, physical health, financial wellness and more. 

Brown offers on-site and virtual programs that cover a variety of wellness topics.
Wellness Rewards is a voluntary wellness incentive program designed to help employees learn more about their personal health, maintain or improve overall well-being and earn an incentive payment for participating.

Health Coverage

Doctor and nurse in an office talking

Health Coverage

Brown offers competitive options for medical, dental and vision coverage, including savings opportunities to help with financial planning.

Each of Brown University’s health plans has a national network of participating health care providers, including hospitals and laboratories and permits members to use nonparticipating providers. All plans also do not exclude pre-existing conditions.
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Brown’s dental plan includes a network of dentists in every state throughout the United States, providing employees access to a variety of options for in-network, discounted care.
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Time Off and Leave

Blossoms blooming on the College Green as well as the bruno bear statue.

Time Off and Leave

Brown understands the benefits of spending time away from work and offers a variety of generous paid time off options. Brown’s work schedule includes University-observed holidays, employee appreciation days, summer hours and a winter break at the end of the year.

Employees accrue vacation days that may be used as they are built up. Sick time can be used for employees as well as eligible family members. Other paid time off includes jury duty, bereavement and parental leave.
Employees may request leave covered under applicable federal and state leave laws as well as personal leave.
Winter Break includes non-holiday days off that do not count against an employee’s vacation time. The schedule is announced each year but typically runs from late December through early January.
During the summer, regular and fixed-term full-time staff have the benefit of working 35 hours a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, with an hour for lunch and the same pay.

Family and Home

aerial view of a Brown campus building

Family and Home

Brown offers a variety of programs to assist employees with caretaking and home life.

Employees have access to 24/7 back-up care for planned and unplanned caretaking needs, for both children and adults.
Employees can apply annually for a child care subsidy to help cover expenses for eligible dependents between the ages of 0 and 6.
Brown’s Tuition Aid Program provides assistance to employees in paying the costs of undergraduate degree tuition for eligible dependent children.
Alternative work assignments provide flexibility for employees that fit with the requirements of their position.
Employees can sign up for voluntary pet insurance to help cover veterinary expenses for their furry family members.
For those relocating to work at Brown, there are programs to assist with this transition, including help with certain moving expenses and partnerships with local realtor and mortgage companies.
Brown maintains an affiliation with child care centers in the Providence area and provides a variety of other family support services.

Employee Discounts

Brown-branded jackets neatly folded and stacked on shelves

Employee Discounts

The Brown ID, or Brown Card, gives employees access to a variety of discounts, including local transportation and special campus resources.

Brown employees can get discounts on everything from local shopping and dining to entertainment, phone and internet and vehicle repair and rental.
Brown partners with Working Advantage to offer employees nationwide deals on travel, concerts, sporting events and more.
Employees can ride free on Rhode Island Public Transit, with bus service throughout the state of Rhode Island as well as connections to T.F. Green Airport and the Amtrak/MBTA train station, with service to Boston and New York City.
At Brown, employees have access to a wealth of cultural and historical resources through the University Library and campus museums and galleries.
The Brown University Shuttle offers free service for employees and students, with daytime and evening routes as well as an Access Shuttle for individuals with mobility concerns.
Employees can take advantage of employee appreciation days and discounted tickets for Brown Athletics events.
Staff and faculty receive discounted membership to Brown Recreation facilities and programs, including fitness centers, playing courts, a pool, ice rink and more.
Year-round membership to the Faculty Club is free to all Brown faculty and staff. The club offers private dining and curbside meal options as well as space for hosting parties and receptions.

Financial Planning

aerial view of Brown's Jewelry District campus

Financial Planning

Brown provides several financial planning options through retirement savings, supplemental insurance and other offerings.

Brown offers retirement plans for all eligible employees, including employer contributions of up to 8% for employees under age 55 and up to 10% for employees over 55 with 10 or more years of service.
Eligible employees can receive basic or additional life insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents.
Additional voluntary benefits include group discounts on automobile and homeowners insurance, pet insurance and long-term care as well as a mortgage assistance program.
Brown’s support for the continued education of employees and their families includes a program to help with debt management.