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Compensation & Benefits
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Compensation & Benefits

Benefits are a significant part of our employees' lives. So, as an employee of Sunesis you have a comprehensive program of benefits available to you and, in many instances, your family. At Sunesis we strive to provide our employees with a competitive benefit package and a rewarding work environment. We hope as you glance at our current benefits below you will see one of our many ways of demonstrating our commitment to you as your career grows with us.

Medical Insurance—Three plans to choose from: AETNA HMO, AETNA PPO, AETNA HSA. Each of the plan options includes prescription drug benefits.

Dental Insurance—Coverage through The Guardian.

Vision Plan—Coverage through VSP.

Life and AD&D Insurance—For employees only and administered by The Guardian. Benefit covers two times annual salary, up to a maximum of $400,000.

Flexible Spending Account—Health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts. These accounts give eligible employees the option to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical expenses not covered by insurance to a maximum of $3,000 per year, and dependent care expenses up to $5,000 per year.

401(k) Plan—Sunesis' Retirement Savings Plan is administered by Fidelity Investments. Employees may contribute 1% to 100% of cash compensation (pre-tax), not to exceed the maximum IRS annual limit.

529 College Savings Plan—Employees may make after-tax contributions to help pay for college under this plan.

Paid Time Off

  • Vacation—Employed up to 5 years, employees accrue at a rate of 3 weeks per year; maximum accrual balance of 5 weeks allowed. Upon 5-year anniversary, employees accrue at a rate of 4 weeks per year; maximum accrual balance of 8 weeks allowed.
  • Holidays—12 holidays each calendar year, including paid Company Shut-Down between Christmas and New Year's.
  • Other Leaves—Jury duty, bereavement, medical, and personal leaves are some of the other leaves available.

Short-term Disability (STD)—Pays 100% of your base monthly salary, up to 90 days, coordinated with State Disability Insurance.

Long-term Disability (LTD)—90-day elimination period, pays 60% of your base monthly salary if you suffer a disabling illness or injury, up to $6,000 per month.

Stock Options—All employees share in Sunesis Pharmaceuticals' success as participants in our Equity Incentive Plan. Stock options vest over a 4-year period. The first 25% of the grant is vested after one year, and the remainder vests in monthly increments. Ongoing grants are given on a discretionary basis.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)—All regular employees may elect to contribute up to 20% of their after-tax pay withheld (up to IRS maximum and company purchase limitations) to purchase Sunesis stock at a discount below market price.

Employee Assistance Program—HorizonCare™ EAP is available to offer confidential support, guidance, and resources to employees and their families.

Other Benefits


  • Colleague Day
  • Giants Baseball Game
  • Picnic
  • Holiday Party
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Health Club Membership
  • San Mateo Credit Union
  • CitiBank at Work Program
  • Weekly Laundry & Dry Cleaning Delivery Services
  • Daily Continental Breakfast
  • Subsidized Lunch Program (optional and available on a quarterly basis)
About Sunesis
Sunesis is an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on therapeutics for oncology and other unmet medical needs.
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