Sick Pay and Short Term Disability
Starting in July 2010, nine (9) sick days will be provided for all M&P staff at the start of each fiscal year (new M&P staff members will receive a pro-rated number of sick days based on their date of hire). These sick days will be immediately available for your use to enable you to care for yourself and family members during times of illness.
New Short Term Disability Plan
The new Short Term Disability (STD) plan, in conjunction with Sick Pay, will provide M&P staff salary protection for up to 26 weeks for extended absence due to a non-work related illness or disability. The plan is applied per disability.
Depending on your available Sick Pay, Short Term Disability will start as early as Week 2 and no later than Week 7 of an eligible disability.
| How Short Term Disability Works for Extended Absences | |
|---|---|
Week 1 |
Sick days or paid time off (PTO) can be used to cover the first five (5) days -- Short Term Disability has a five (5) day waiting period |
Week 2 - 6 |
100% Short Term Disability salary coverage starts when staff have five (5) or fewer sick days available. Please review the following examples to determine when Short Term Disability would begin:
|
Week 7 - 26 |
60% Short Term Disability coverage regardless of available sick days |
Week 27 and beyond |
Apply for Long Term Disability - |
Effective July 2011: Cap on Maximum Number of Carryover Sick Days
On July 1, 2010, the maximum number of carryover sick days is 204.
Beginning July 1, 2011 (FY12), the maximum Sick Day carryover is 50 days for staff hired on or after July 1, 2010. For staff hired before July 1, 2010, the maximum Sick Day carryover for FY12 and all subsequent fiscal years will be the number of unused sick days carried over from the previous fiscal year or 50 days, whichever is greater.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How many sick days will I be allowed to carry over this year? What about 2011?
The current carryover rule applies to sick days carried into July 2010. You will be allowed to carry over the number of your unused sick days, not to exceed the current 204 day maximum.
Effective July 2011, if you have more than 50 unused sick days, you will be allowed to carry over up to the number of sick days you carried into the previous year.
For example, if on June 30, 2010, you have 75 sick days, you can carry over all of these days. In July 2011, you would carry over your actual unused sick days, not to exceed 75 sick days. The number of unused sick days in any year becomes the new limit of sick days you can carry over in the following year.
What is the eligibility waiting period for Short Term Disability?
The eligibility waiting period for Short Term Disability if five (5) business days (Week 1). Sick Pay or PTO can be used to cover the first five (5) days.
How will I earn Sick Pay?
All nine (9) sick days will be provided at the start of the fiscal year and are available immediately for your use to care for yourself and family members during times of illness. Employees hired after July 1 will receive a pro-rated amount based on their date of hire.
What is the difference between Sick Pay and Short Term Disability?
Sick Pay can be used to pay for an absence due to a non-work related illness or disability, or to provide care for a sick family member; it is always paid at 100% of your salary. Short Term Disability is coverage to ensure salary protection for up to six (6) months when an M&P staff member becomes unable to work for a period of time due to a non-work related illness or disability.
Short Term Disability will start after the one-week waiting period (Week 1) and after the staff member uses the prerequisite number of sick days spent (see above table). During Weeks 2 – 6, Short Term Disability provides 100% salary coverage, and during Weeks 7 – 26, 60% salary coverage.
How much banked Sick Pay will I be required to spend down before Short Term Disability coverage will begin?
- If you have 1 to 5 sick days, You do not need to use any sick days. (This is covered in Week 1.)
- If you have 6 to 9 sick days, you will need to spend down to 5 sick days.
- If you have 10 to 34 sick days, you will need to spend down to 5 sick days.
- If you have 35 or more sick days, you can spend a maximum of 30 sick days.
Can I do anything to increase my disability pay above 60% during Weeks 7 – 26?
Yes, you have two options:
Option 1: You may supplement the 60% Short Term Disability coverage with paid time off (PTO) to make up for the 40% not covered by the plan.
Example: If you are full-time at 7.5 hours per day and receive 60% Short Term Disability, you can use three (3) hours (40% of 7.5 hours) of PTO per day absent to supplement the partial salary coverage from Short Term Disability; adding both PTO and Short Term Disability will bring you to 100% salary coverage.
Option 2: You can continue to use sick days as you would have under the old plan and substitute a sick day for Short Term Disability to receive full pay, as well.
Does the new Short Term Disability plan cover faculty?
No, this plan only covers M&P staff. Faculty who become ill or disabled should consult with their Chair or Dean and the Provost’s Office with questions regarding leaves.
If I have fewer than five sick days, when does Short Term Disability begin?
First, you would cover Week 1 with a combination of available sick days, PTO or unpaid days. Then Short Term Disability would commence during Week 2 at 100%.
If I have 20 sick days, when does Short Term Disability begin?
You would need to spend 15 sick days first (when your bank of available sick time drops to five sick days). Short Term Disability would begin during Week 4 at 100%.
If I have 100 sick days, when does Short Term Disability begin?
You would need to spend 30 sick days at most. Short Term Disability would begin during Week 7 at 60%.
Do I need to enroll in Short Term Disability? Will it cost anything?
No, you do not need to enroll; as a benefits-eligible M&P staff member, you are automatically enrolled in the Short Term Disability plan at no cost to you.
Does Short Term Disability provide coverage for a family member's disability?
No, only benefits-eligible M&P staff members are eligible for Short Term Disability. You may use Sick Pay to take time to care for sick family members.
Can I use Short Term Disability to cover my salary while on a disability leave due to pregnancy or childbirth?
Yes. Generally, the typical eligibility period of a maternity leave for Short Term Disability is two (2) weeks before the due date and six (6) weeks after delivery. For disability of longer duration, a physician's statement is required. After the disability eligibility period, you can continue to receive payment by using your available PTO or sick days during a Child Rearing Leave.
Am I eligible if my Disability begins on June 30? Do I qualify for Short Term Disability?
No. The onset of the disabling condition must occur on or after July 1, 2010, in order for you to be eligible for Short Term Disability.
