POLICY NO: 404
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/1998
SHORT TERM DISABILITY
The accumulation of short term disability allows continuation of full
base pay when an eligible staff member is required to be absent from work because of
extended illness or medical conditions.
Note: Dealing with issues that qualify for Short
Term Disability can be challenging. Returning to work following a disability
leave can be stressful. For these and other matters, the University offers
the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free, confidential, one-to-one
support at any time during your use of these programs. The EAP can be
reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you manage the issues at hand
and prepare for a successful return to the workplace. Call 1-888-321-4433 to
speak with a counselor. You also can find useful information at the EAP
website at http://www.pennbehavioralhealth.org/employeeServ/index.html.
404.1 ELIGIBILITY
Regular full-time staff through position grade 28 are eligible.
404.2 ACCRUAL
At the beginning of each fiscal year (July l), for every two (2) unused
sick days accrued during the prior twelve (12) month period, the University will add one
(1) day to the staff member's short term disability balance, up to a maximum of six (6)
days a year. An initial short term disability reserve of twenty-two days is established
for monthly-paid staff members hired under this policy. The maximum short term disability
accumulation is forty-two (42) work days.
404.3 APPLICATION PROCESS
When it appears likely that sick leave and paid time off will be
exhausted and short term disability may be needed, the supervisor or the Benefits Office
will require the staff member to have their health care provider complete a Physician
Certification form and return the form to the Benefits Office. When such a request is
made, the certification must be provided within twenty (20) calendar days of the request.
Additionally, the staff member must complete and forward a Short Term Disability/Family
Medical Leave Application form to Benefits.
The University reserves the right to require that the individual submit
to independent medical examinations by a health care provider of the University's choosing
for continuation of payments under this policy.
404.4 USAGE
Accumulated short term disability may be utilized provided the duration
of the illness has been ten (10) or more work days and all available sick leave and paid
time off have been exhausted. The maximum number of days in pay status for any one illness
will not exceed six (6) months or one hundred thirty-two (132) consecutive work days
including sick leave, paid time off and short term disability, in that order. Disability
resulting from pregnancy is treated like other disabilities with respect to paid leave
time; the normal period of disability from the date of delivery is a maximum of eight (8)
weeks.
A staff member is not eligible for holidays or special vacation periods
which may occur while he/she is receiving short term disability payments.
Additional sick leave and paid time off are not accrued during periods
of short term disability.
Staff members that use short term disability may be required to
concurrently use benefits under the Family Medical Leave policy.
404.5 JOB SECURITY
Upon recovery, a staff member receiving pay continuation under the
provisions of this policy is entitled to return to a similar or equivalent position
without a reduction in salary or loss of service credit. A physician's statement
certifying the staff member's fitness to return to work may be required before he/she
returns.
Staff members who have illnesses which are expected to continue beyond
the short term disability period, may be eligible for benefits under the University’s
Long Term Disability policy.
404.6 SHORT TERM DISABILITY FOR PERSONS HIRED PRIOR TO AUGUST 1, 1984
Regular full-time support staff and professional/administrative staff
through grade PA8 (hired before August 1, 1984) entered the short term disability program
with the amount of days provided under the extended sick leave policy with the following
provisions:
404.6a Weekly-paid staff members entered with one (1) week or five (5)
days for every completed year of service (as of August 1, 1984). This conversion for
existing staff members may initially exceed the maximum of 42 working days stated in the
revised policy; however, no additional accumulations will occur unless the short-term
disability balance is less than forty-two (42) days.
404.6b Monthly-paid staff members entered with forty-two (42) working
days. This balance plus the sick leave balance equals the maximum of six (6) months (132
working days) provided in both the old and new policies.
404.7 UNIONIZED STAFF MEMBERS
University staff members who are covered by collective bargaining
agreements should refer to the appropriate contract article.
Applicability: All regular full-time staff through position grade 28
Cross-reference: Policy 405, Policy 412, Policy 607, Policy 612, Policy 614, Policy 615, Policy 631
Supersedes Policy Number(s): 404 (08/01/1984)