Sick Leave & Disability
The District enables employees to accumulate sick leave days, for which you will receive full pay if you are injured or ill and cannot work. Sick leave days are days for which you will receive full pay if you are sick or injured and cannot work, and they must be exhausted before the disability benefit begins. Be sure to select a waiting period that exceeds your available sick days.
Short Term Disability coverage provides an income replacement benefit once your sick days are exhausted. You may choose from 5 different waiting periods: 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, 45 days, or 60 days. Please keep in mind that sick days will reduce your elimination period in the event of disability. You may also choose any monthly benefit amount in increments of $100, not to exceed 66 2/3% of your salary. The longer the benefit waiting period, the lower the premium.
Long Term Disability insurance protects your earnings if you're unable to work for an extended period due to a severe illness, injury, or condition. We're proud to offer Long Term Disability coverage through the district at no cost to you—it's an employer-provided benefit. This essential coverage ensures income replacement if your disability persists beyond 52 weeks. Keep in mind that while this benefit is invaluable, it is subject to taxation. The maximum monthly benefit amount is $5,000, with a maximum duration period of 5 years.
Disability Insurance is protection for one of your most important assets: your ability to earn an income. Disabling illnesses and injuries are more common than most of us realize. If you're out of work for weeks or months without an income, how would you pay your regular expenses? Disability Insurance could provide the security you need.
The Short Term Disability insurance replaces up to 66 2/3% of your income if you're unable to work because of an illness, injury, or childbirth. From maternity leave to a back injury or recovery time from a serious illness, disability benefits protect you through a range of different life events. The cost of your coverage will vary depending on your age, benefit amount, and the duration of benefits selected. Long Term Disability provides income replacement should your disability exceed 52 weeks.
Things to Consider
- The longer the Short Term Disability benefit waiting period, the lower the premium.
- Employee must exhaust accumulated sick leave before Short Term Disability pays a benefit.
- Sick leave satisfies the waiting period.
- Full-time, permanent employees can earn up to 100 days of sick leave.
- Disability plans are not portable.
Pre-Existing Conditions
6 Month Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion
The plan pays a limited benefit for disabilities caused by pre-existing conditions during the first 6 months of disability coverage.
A pre-existing condition is a sickness or physical condition for which you have been diagnosed or treated during the immediate 3 months prior to your coverage effective date.
You may elect up to the maximum benefit as a new hire with no health questions. Future increases in coverage will be subject to the pre-existing condition limitation.
In cases where the pre-existing condition would apply, there is a limited 4-week benefit available.
Expectant Mothers
A “normal delivery” is the only situation in a disability plan where there is a pre-set benefit period: 6 weeks after delivery. This does not mean that you will receive 6 weeks of payment from the disability plan. Sick leave will be used first, then, if you have met the waiting period you selected, the plan will pay benefits for the remainder of the 6 week period. If you deliver by C-section or complications require you to be out longer, benefits can extend beyond the 6-week period.
Personal and Vacation Leave
Personal Leave
Employees eligible to participate in the system's sick leave program earn 3 days of sick leave that may be used as personal or emergency leave.
Vacation Leave
Full time employees on a 12 month contact earn vacation leave at a rate of 1.25 days per month worked. Vacation may be accumulated up to a maximum of 45 days as of June 30 of each year.
Be sure to request personal leave or vacation leave off in advance. Your leave balance is posted on your pay stub for reference. Pay stubs are available on Employee Self Service (ESS).
Filing a Claim
When going out on FMLA or extended disability leave, please contact Kelli Sikes at (478) 210-7713 or via email at kelli.sikes@hcbe.net.
Instructions for filing a telephonic claim are available here.
