\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSTD\u00a0benefits are payable\u00a0after\u00a014 consecutive days of absence due to medically supported illness or injury.\u00a0STD\u00a0Benefits will be\u00a0payable\u00a0if the STD claim is deemed eligible and\u00a0medically\u00a0supported.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Duration of Short-Term Disability Benefits”][vc_column_text]The maximum duration of the STD period is\u00a017\u00a0weeks from the first day of medically supported absence of illness or injury:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- 2 weeks\u00a0waiting period\u00a0covered by Sick Leave Policy, followed by\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- 15 weeks maximum covered by this Policy\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beyond\u00a0this\u00a017-week period, a Plan Member may be eligible for the Long-Term Disability benefits\u00a0under the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Coverage for Short-Term Disability Benefits during leaves of absence”][vc_column_text]Plan Members who are on Approved Leave of Absence will continue to be covered by the STD Plan and their Employer will be required to continue premium remittance. During a continuation of coverage, all other Plan provisions apply, and benefits are only payable after the date of the Plan Member\u2019s scheduled return from Approved Leave of Absence.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Gradual Return-to-Work”][vc_column_text]Every\u00a0possible effort will be made to provide suitable return to work (RTW) options for\u00a0Plan Members\u00a0who are unable to perform their regular duties, in keeping with the commitment to providing a safe workplace.\u00a0Consideration will be given to the\u00a0Plan Member’s ability and skills, in order to identify their\u00a0capabilities and\u00a0any requirements for accommodation.\u00a0The intent is to provide\u00a0a\u00a0temporary\u00a0solution until the Plan Member is\u00a0able to return to regular\u00a0duties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nDuring a period of modified work,\u00a0regular salary pro-rated for the time worked will be paid, plus\u00a0pay at the\u00a0STD\u00a0rate for the remaining time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nExample 1:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAn employee whose normal work schedule is 8 hours per day is only able to return to work for 4 hours per day to start. The employee would receive 4 hours of regular wages + 4 hours of STD benefit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nExample 2:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAn employee whose normal work schedule is 8 hours per day is able to return to full hours, but has a restriction of not lifting more than 10 lbs.\u202f The employee would receive their full regular pay, but their STD file will remain open until they are able to return to their regular job duties.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Recurrence”][vc_column_text]In the event a Plan Member is absent from work because of a recurrence of the same or closely related disabling condition within a period of 30 calendar days following return to full pay, the recurrence will be considered a continuation of the previous disability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf the Plan Member\u00a0is absent because of the same disabling condition after 30 calendar days following return to full pay,\u00a0the absence will be considered a new STD claim with a new date of absence and medical support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf\u00a0Total\u00a0Disability occurs due to a new cause any time following the Plan Member\u2019s return to full pay, it will be considered a new STD claim.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”STD Benefits Application Procedures and Administration”][vc_column_text]A Plan Member requesting benefits under the STD Plan must follow the procedures and requirements outlined in the STD Guideline to apply for and receive benefits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Plan Member is responsible for the payment of any costs associated with the provision of medical reports or completion of medical forms that may be required to initiate the STD claim application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nPlan Members\u00a0must ensure personal contact information remains up to date and current, including temporary changes, while on STD leave.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe STD Plan is administered\u00a0by GSI. Applications\u00a0may be assessed and managed\u00a0by a GSI designated and approved\u00a0by\u00a0independent disability management firm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Requirements for Receiving STD Benefits”][vc_column_text]To receive STD benefits, the Plan Member must meet\u00a0all\u00a0<\/i><\/b>of the following requirements as indicated:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nRequirement\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nRequired for STD\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Be considered Totally Disabled, as defined\u00a0herein, from the first day of absence\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Be under the appropriate care of a physician licensed to practice medicine\u00a0(i.e. a Medical Doctor)\u00a0and receive regular and appropriate medical attention for their condition\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | \u00a0 Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Follow the medical advice received and any reasonable treatment prescribed\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Make reasonable efforts to recover from illness or injury, including participating in rehabilitation or return-to-work programs and accepting reasonable modified work or accommodations\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Participate in a physical or psychiatric medical evaluation or a functional, cognitive or vocational capacities evaluation by an independent examiner as requested by GSI or\u00a0the appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Return to reasonable, suitable or accommodated work that is within their functional capacity, based on medical evidence\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| May not engage in any work for wage or profit, unless approved by GSI or\u00a0the appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0in advance\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Notify GSI or\u00a0the appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0before travelling for longer than one week while receiving STD benefits\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n | \u00a0Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Other Benefit Coverage and Accrual”][vc_column_text]Benefits, vacation leave and seniority continue to accrue during the STD period.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Deductions, Offsets and Overpayments”][vc_column_text]STD benefit payments are all subject to all source deductions as required by law, such as Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP)\u00a0and\u00a0Employment Insurance (EI) premiums.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Premium\u00a0deductions\u00a0for the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan and contributions to the ELCIC Pension Plan\u00a0will continue during STD.\u00a0Premium remittances for the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan will continue to be made by the Employer on the Salary Basis of the Plan Member\u00a0as of\u00a0the last day Actively at Work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBenefit payments are subject to offsets (reductions) for any pay or benefits received as a result of the same disability, provided they do not interfere with Service Canada and CRA requirements for EI Premium reduction and STD plans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nGSI reserves the right to recover from the Employer any amount of benefit that has been overpaid for any reason whatsoever.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Exclusions and Limitations”][vc_column_text]Maternity \/ Parental Leave<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nNo benefits are payable during a period of formal maternity or parental leave taken by a Plan Member as provided under Provincial or Federal legislation during which the Plan Member is paid employment insurance maternity\/parental benefits and\/or ELCIC Supplemental Pay while on Maternity\/Parental Leave.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, the STD Plan\u00a0may\u00a0provide benefits\u00a0if the Plan Member experiences disabling complications during pregnancy, and for post-delivery disability.\u00a0 The coverage would continue up to the allowable maximum period based on the circumstances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Other Exclusions and Limitations”][vc_column_text]No benefits shall be payable for the following claims:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- work-related illness or injury, unless the Workers\u2019 Compensation Board of the province has explicitly denied the claim, or a signed subrogation or reimbursement agreement is in place;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- cosmetic procedure, unless reconstructive after an injury or medical condition;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- disability resulting from participation in a public confrontation, riot, insurrection or civil disorder, unless it is directly related to the essential duties of the Plan Member\u2019s position;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- direct or indirect disability attributable to war, whether declared or undeclared;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- disability that occurs while participating in a criminal offense; and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- disability that results from service in the armed forces.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Furthermore, benefits shall not be payable:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- when receiving benefits under other legislative leaves, for example compassionate care or parents of critically ill children benefits under the Employment Insurance Act;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- during unpaid approved leave of absence, excluding legislated leaves;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- when receiving benefits for a recurring disability according to a reinstatement provision of a group Long-Term Disability plan (as long as the reinstatement period does not exceed six months);\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- during a prison sentence or confinement in a similar institution;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- when receiving benefits under a provincial motor vehicle insurance plan as a result of an illness or injury from a motor vehicle accident and the plan does not take EI benefits payable into account when paying their benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”End of Benefits”][vc_column_text]Payments will cease on the earliest of the following dates:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n- the Plan Member\u2019s employment is terminated, or\u00a0the Plan Member\u00a0resigns or dies;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member is no longer under the care of or is not receiving appropriate treatment from a\u00a0physician licensed to practice medicine (i.e. a Medical Doctor);\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member is no longer Totally Disabled;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the end of the maximum period (119 days \/ 17 weeks\u00a0since date of disability) has been reached;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member fails to provide medical evidence, as required by the STD Plan<\/li>\n
- appropriate and meaningful accommodated work is available, as determined by GSI and\/or\u00a0the\u00a0appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm,\u00a0within\u00a0the Plan Member\u2019s documented or observed functional capacity, and available medical and other evidence;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member refuses to participate in a medically appropriate and suitable rehabilitation program or plan;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member refuses to participate in a physical and\/or psychiatric medical evaluation and\/or a functional, cognitive and\/or vocational capacities evaluation by an independent examiner as requested;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member does any work for wage or profit, unless approved by GSI or the\u00a0appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0in advance;\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- the Plan Member travels for a period longer than one week, unless approved by GSI or the\u00a0appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Appeals”][vc_column_text]If a Plan Member does not agree with the decision of GSI or the\u00a0appointed\u00a0independent disability management firm\u00a0regarding the eligibility for STD benefits \/ disability adjudication, they may request a review of the decision.\u00a0Appeal procedures are found in the STD Guidelines for plan members.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The Plan Member is responsible for the payment of any costs associated with the provision of new medical reports and other evidence or information that may be required for appeals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSTD benefits will cease while a claim is under appeal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=”Default” title=”Additional Information”][vc_column_text]This STD policy will be interpreted in accordance with applicable statutory requirements. In no case shall a Plan Member be entitled to less than the minimum entitlements prescribed by applicable legislation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The maximum duration of the STD period is\u00a017\u00a0weeks from the first day of medically supported absence of illness or injury:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- 2 weeks\u00a0waiting period\u00a0covered by Sick Leave Policy, followed by\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- 15 weeks maximum covered by this Policy\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Beyond\u00a0this\u00a017-week period, a Plan Member may be eligible for the Long-Term Disability benefits\u00a0under the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][\/toggles][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][divider line_type=”No Line”][image_with_animation image_url=”3904″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":5173,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"folder":[46],"class_list":["post-3057","page","type-page","status-publish"],"featured_image_src":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.elcicgsi.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ffolder&post=3057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} | | | | | | | | | |