There are several categories of people who may work with Tidepool. In general, the policies in this Tidepool Employee Handbook apply to everyone except “Volunteers and Other Contributors”. Exceptions to this, such as Benefits for Full-time U.S. employees, are noted where appropriate.
Full-time U.S.-based Employees
Full-time U.S.-based employees work 20 or more hours per week. Full-time U.S.-based employees are eligible for benefits such as health insurance and 401(k). See Employee Health and Welfare for more details.
Apprentices
An apprentice is an entry-level full-time employee (works at least 30 hours per week) under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, as described in the Tidepool Apprenticeship Program. Like other full-time employees, they are eligible for benefits as long as they are in U.S.
Part-time U.S.-based Employees
Part-time U.S.-based employees work fewer than 20 hours per week, and are not eligible for benefits such as health insurance and 401(k).
Interns
Tidepool occasionally hires interns under the terms of the Tidepool Internship Program. Interns are paid hourly but they are are not eligible for benefits.
Full-time International Contractors (FTICs, for short)
Tidepool is a highly distributed team. For example, as of the time of this update, we employ full-time international contractors in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Nigeria, New Zealand, and the U.K.
Although FTICs do not receive U.S.-based benefits such as health insurance and 401(k), we think of and treat FTICs the same way we think of and treat full-time U.S.-based employees in all other regards.
Part-time Contractors
Tidepool occasionally hires Part-time Contractors to help with specific assignments. Unlike FTICs, part-time contractors typically do not get an @tidepool.org email address or access Tidepool internal systems like Google Drive.
Consultants, Contract Development Firms, and other Agencies
Tidepool hires specialty consultants and firms to help with work in areas where we do not have in-house expertise. Contracts are administered individually with these Consultants.
For example, Tidepool currently works with Early Growth Financial Services for accounting services.
Volunteers and Other Contributors, including Open Source Contributors
Tidepool often engages with volunteers, most typically with software developers as Open Source contributors, but sometimes also with volunteer program managers, user experience designers or beta testers.
Volunteers who are producing and contributing source code or user interface designs will be asked to complete Tidepool's Volunteer Contributor License Agreement (VCLA).
Pro-bono arrangements
Occasionally, Tidepool is offered pro bono services for which we are very grateful! Tidepool currently works and receives pro bono services from:
Wilson, Marshall and Taylor - legal services, Kurt Taylor, General Counsel and Board Secretary
Hogan Lovells - legal services
Note: Employment of Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, Apprentices, and Interns is managed through Zenefits, our HR Information System. Conversely, agreements with Full-Time and Part-TimeContractors, and Consultants are administered individually with each contractor.