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I. Overview
Invario is a fun, no-hassle environment in which to work. We offer many benefits not available at most companies. The intent of these benefits is to make it easier for an Engineer to provide outstanding service to our clients, and to reduce the hassle and out-of-pocket expense to our employees. We understand that many of these perks have personal value as well as business use. We also understand that paying these benefits as a business expense reduces the tax cost to everyone.

The benefits are:
• Cell phone
• Mileage reimbursement
• Internet access from home
• Parking
• Taxis
• Couriers
• Metro Fare Cards
• Parking tickets

II. Cell phone
In the distributed office model that Invario uses, a cell phone is a necessary tool for doing business. Invario pays for each Engineer to have a cell phone. The cell phone is the property of Invario. Invario will purchase an initial cell phone for up to $200. More expensive cell phones may be purchased in entirety using the technology allowance and after a year of employment become the property of the Engineer. Replacement phones and accessories may be reimbursed with a receipt but are limited to $200 per year.

Invario’s current Engineer cell phone plan is for 2000 minutes. Minutes over 2000 can be expensive. We feel this is more than adequate time to conduct business as an Engineer. If an Engineer were to bill 120 hours in a month, this plan allows for over 16 minutes of cell phone time for each hour billed.

III. Mileage reimbursement
Invario reimburses Engineers for mileage to and from clients only at the standard government rate. Mileage to and from client sites tends to run approximately 10 miles per trip. Any major deviation from this norm may be scrutinized more closely. Mileage is calculated as a round trip from the home office at 2911 N. 26th Street, Arlington, Virginia. Mileage from the engineer’s home to the home office or any other commuting expense is not reimbursable. Mileage to non-billable events such as training are not reimbursable.

Each week, along with a time sheet, the Engineer should submit a mileage report listing the client visits and mileage, and any extra trips made on behalf of the client (e.g., to computer shop or between clients' sites with multiple locations). Gladys Pope has a list of clients and the mileage to each that is helpful when compiling a mileage report. Mileage reports submitted after the 10th of the month covering trips in the previous month will not be honored.

Example: Engineer drives to a Metro station, parks, and visits client via Metro. No mileage is reimbursed because the drive to the Metro station would be considered a commute. Parking at the Metro station can be reimbursed provided there were no other transportation costs that day, such as a taxi ride, mileage, or parking ticket. The Metro ride would be paid for by the company Metro card.

Example: Engineer drives downtown and parks and visits one client and walks to another. The Engineer will be reimbursed for one round-trip to the first client. An Engineer moving their car to another garage less than six blocks away would be an abuse of this rule.

Example: Engineer visits a client. There is an emergency and the Engineer needs to drive to a computer store to purchase replacement hardware and return to the same garage. Engineer should note mileage of round-trip to computer store and be reimbursed for round-trip to the client and round-trip to the computer store. They should also bill client for the time during the errand.

IV. Home internet connection
Since much of the work we do can now be done remotely, a high-speed connection to the Internet has also become a necessary tool for doing business. Invario will pay up to $40 per month for a home Internet connection that is used for business purposes. To start this reimbursement the Engineer must provide a copy of an Internet bill. The Engineer's name and home address must also be on the bill.

Invario reserves the right to periodically ask for a current bill to keep this benefit in place.

V. Parking
Invario issues each Engineer a Colonial Parking charge card. If an Engineer drives to a client site they are encouraged to use Colonial Parking whenever possible. Other parking charges can be reimbursed with receipt. Coin-operated metered parking is not reimbursed and often results in tickets. Currently, parking charges run about $50 per month. Invario reserves the right to review these charges and charge the Engineer for any parking that is not associated with a client billing.

VI. Taxis
Invario will reimburse an Engineer for a taxi ride when a receipt is provided. Engineers should only use taxis when it is absolutely necessary to provide outstanding service to a client.

VII. Couriers
Invario has an account with a courier service that can be used by the engineers. This service should can be used when necessary to provide outstanding service to the customer.

VIII. Metro Fare Cards
Invario will provide $33 Metro cards and/or “SmarTrip” Card to any Engineer on request. The cards are to be used by the Engineer only. Selling fare cards is illegal. Engineers are encouraged to carry a card at all times and use the Metro when it is convenient. The idea is that taking the Metro is cheaper than driving and parking and is better for the environment. Invario reserves the right to limit these cards, especially if the Engineer has high mileage and parking charges.

IX. Parking tickets
Invario will pay for parking tickets received while at a client’s site. Given the above perks there is really no reason an Engineer should receive a parking ticket. Submitting parking tickets is frowned upon. Invario will not reimburse tickets for expired registration, inspection, or driving violations.

X. Tech Allowance
Invario allows their employees to spend up to $1000 annually on any piece of equipment that they find "technically interesting". If the employee is still working at Invario after a year they keep the equipment and can purchase another $1000 worth of stuff. If for any reason the employee is no longer working at Invario within a year of the purchase date the tech allowance is considered an interest free loan and the money is to be paid back to the company.

XI. Health Insurance Benefits
Invario does offer Health Insurance Benefits to its employees. We are in the process of migrating to a high deductable plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). We see several advantages to this plan. Invario will be able to cover 100% of the insurance and still have money available to contribute a employee owned HSA.

We feel this puts the employee in control of their own health care and removes the issue of the employee being ultimately liable when the insurance company denies claims from the health care provider.

XII. Monthly Bonus
Employees that have been with Invario for one year become eligable for the Monthly Bonus. Paid on the 20^th of each month, employees share in the net profits of the previous month. Since its incepion there has always been a bonus.

XIII. Conclusion
Summary of pre-tax benefits are as follows

Annual Value of Benefits (Not including Health Care or Bonus)

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