Faculty Short Term Disability

Policy Statement: The College provides eligible faculty members with protection against income loss as a result of an extended illness or injury in coordination with the College's long-term disability policy. Coverage under this Short-Term Disability Policy ("STD") includes continuation of salary for a period of up to 180 calendar days.

(Click HERE to view the faculty handbook.)

Eligibility: Lewis & Clark College faculty hired with the expectation they will work for a full academic year and are at least .75 FTE, are eligible for STD pay.

Procedures:

  1. Upon hire, benefit eligible faculty will receive a benefits summary containing information about benefit coverage of available short-term disability insurance plans and information on how to get assistance.
  2. New faculty will be provided an opportunity to attend a benefits orientation session in which the short-term disability insurance plan and other related information will be presented.
  3. Short-term disability payments are made by the College in the form of salary continuance.
  4. Newly hired faculty become eligible for the benefit on the first of the month following date of hire.
  5. Disability is defined as being unable to perform with reasonable continuity the essential duties of the employee's own occupation or a comparable position for which the employee is qualified by reason of education, training, or experience. Disability must be caused by accidental injury or an illness requiring ongoing physician's care.
  6. Benefits are payable the first day following the onset of the disability and continue for up to 180 calendar days. Benefits will cease upon the date the disability ends, the return to work date, or at 180 days, whichever comes first.
  7. In cases of disability related to pregnancy, a birth mother may qualify under this policy for salary continuation for a period of disability shortly before and typically 6-8 weeks after the birth of a child, if medically necessary. The mother has the option to take one course release instead of the 6-8 week STD period.
  8. Upon expiration of one period of disability, a faculty member must return to work for at least a month to be eligible for a new period of disability.
  9. The following conditions are excluded: - disability due to an illness or injury for which payment is made available through workers' compensation or any similar law.
  10. Requests for short term disability payments are made in writing to the Dean with a copy to Human Resources for approval. The employee should provide Human Resources with a Physicians Certification Form required for leave approval under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA).
  11. If possible, with physician's approval, the faculty member may be expected to perform duties of a modified position description, which may include a revised work schedule.
  12. The faculty member must intend to return to work following the period of disability. A Fitness for Duty Form must be completed by the physician and received by Human Resources prior to the faculty member returning to work.
  13. Medical, dental, life and disability insurance and (TIAA-CREF) retirement contributions will continue as provided for under the policies and as required by law. The faculty member will be responsible for his/her portion of the premiums.

Approved by the Executive Council, May 31, 2002.