To provide guidance to the University divisions/departments regarding an employee's status and departmental staffing and cost considerations in matters involving an employee's absence due to disability.

Any non-probationary, benefits eligible employee who is unable to perform the duties of his or her job due to a non-work-related injury or illness (including a pregnancy-related disability) is eligible to apply for Short-Term Disability payments.

1. Your application for benefits must be made within six (6) weeks of your first day of absence.
2. This policy and these guidelines are subject to applicable collective bargaining agreements which should be consulted.
3. Short-Term Disability (STD) leave will be counted toward the twelve (12) week allotment of Family and Medical Leave. For guidelines on Family and Medical Leave of Absence, see 522-Family and Medical Leave of Absence
4. Following the first day of absence, there is a waiting period of fourteen (14) calendar days before Short-Term Disability payments begin.
5. An eligible employee may receive Short-Term Disability payments through the thirteenth week following the first day of absence, i.e. a maximum of eleven (11) weeks of benefits. Unless there are medical complications, six (6) weeks is the approved timeframe for a pregnancy related disability. However, a cesarean delivery will be approved for eight (8) weeks.
6. Initial and subsequent approval for Short-Term Disability payments is the responsibility of the Disability Administrator. If approved, payments begin after accrued sick leave has been exhausted or after the fourteen (14) day waiting period, whichever is longer.
7. Requests must include a statement from a licensed physician indicating both the reason (diagnosis) and the anticipated date of return (prognosis) on a form provided by the University.
8. The University reserves the right to require a medical examination of any claimant at any time by a physician of the University's choice. The cost of such examination shall be borne by the claimant's department.
9. In addition to receiving Short-Term Disability payments, an employee:
   1. maintains all benefits for which s/he is enrolled, provided s/he continues to pay the employee's share of the premiums;
   2. maintains his or her original benefits-eligible (service) date;
   3. maintains previously-earned personal holiday and vacation accrual balances; and
   4. cannot be terminated for cause.
10. An employee receiving Short-Term Disability payments is NOT permitted to:
    1. accrue sick leave, vacation or personal holidays;
    2. apply for STD payments within two weeks following a return to work from STD;
    3. receive University holiday pay; or
    4. supplement STD payments with vacation or personal holidays.
11. An employee who returns to work after receiving short term disability payments will be required to furnish a physician's release for duty.
12. An employee who returns to work and who has not exhausted his or her short term allotment, may have his or her remaining short term benefits reinstated without satisfying an additional waiting period if the disability is for the same reason.
13. An employee who returns to work following an injury or illness for which he or she received Short-Term Disability payments must have worked continuously at least two weeks before he or she becomes eligible for Short-Term Disability payments for a different disability. The employee must also satisfy a new waiting period requirement.
14. An employee remains financially responsible for payroll deductions such as taxes, insurance, credit union and other deductions. These deductions are made against Short-Term Disability payments in accordance with Payroll schedules.