Your employment at Lenoir-Rhyne University includes some provisions for both short and long-term illness and disability. Just how it works depends on several factors, including your employment status as full or part-time, whether you are a faculty or staff member, and your length of service with the University.
Faculty members are contracted employees. If you sign a contract for a semester or academic year, your salary may be continued for up to six months as defined in the faculty handbook. If you are ill and unable to perform the work agreed upon, your salary continues as your colleagues step in to cover for you. (Similarly, you will be expected to step in and cover for disabled colleagues as needed.)
Staff are not contracted, but rather employed for an indefinite period. If you are on the staff or administration you will earn sick leave for your protection in the event of illness or disability. Your use of these leaves is subject to University policy as noted in your handbook and elsewhere in this Benefits Checklist.
Contracted twelve-month faculty earn sick leave and vacation leave as do non-academic employees.
Because of the provisions for absence due to illness the University provides no short-term disability insurance for its employees. If you feel the need for short-term disability insurance, talk with your personal insurance broker. Be sure your broker has full details provided by handbooks, summary plan descriptions, and policy statements for all of your insurances. See the following paragraphs relative to long-term disability insurance.
The University does buy long-term or total disability (TD) insurance for employees who have worked at the University full-time for a period of at least one year. If you fit this description, you are covered on the University group plan and should have received a summary plan description of those benefits.
Briefly, your TD benefit pays a small monthly income in the event of a total disability that lasts longer than six months. Subject to certain provisions, your monthly income under the policy would be 60% of your monthly earnings not to exceed $5,000 per month. Certain provisions include but are not limited to other disability income and your age.
In the event of a disability, whether short or long-term, it is important for you to work closely with your supervisor, the Human Resources department, and the Benefits office. Clear communication of your condition, expectations, and needs is the key to successful use of your benefits and job preservation. The University makes every effort to work with faculty and staff who experience illness or disability. If you are in doubt about your status, check with the Benefits office for details of policy and administration.