[SchoolFinance] Workers Comp "Buy Back" Sick

[Lucie Tabor]

We allow sick time only when first injured up until the time we get an
approval from WC.  Then we use the first WC check (or 2 or 3) that cover
dates for which we paid sick leave and buy back as much those days with the
WC Check.  Once the WC checks are for dates for which we have not paid sick
leave, the employee keeps the full WC check and does not get paid anything
from the employer directly (sick leave) until they return to work.

Lucie,
Valley Unified ESC
(SAD27, SAD 33 and Madawaska)



On Wed, Jul 19, 2023 at 8:01 AM Sue Lambert <slambert at msad49.org> wrote:

> Do any of you allow staff to "buy back" or use sick time to make up the
> difference in their workers comp check and their normal full check? I
> realize that workers comp is tax exempt for fed/state/mdc/FICA so the fact
> that the check is 2/3 of their normal amount isn't really 1/3 short when
> you take into account all of the taxes. However, our bargaining contract
> for support staff gives them the option to use sick time to make up the
> difference.
>
> The complication we have run into is that MEMIC says that if we pay them
> sick time (or any other leave time) that MEMIC can do an offset to the
> check that they are paying the employee. If this is so, I don't see how the
> employee option to buy back sick time, will actually do anything.
>
> The way the buyback worked years ago was that the employee would choose up
> front: take only the WC check or using sick time & handing in their check.
> If choosing the WC check, the check went to them and we did not pay them.
> If they wanted to use sick time in order to get more of a check, they would
> use their sick leave while they were out and the WC check would have to be
> signed over to us and we would use that WC check amount to buy back some
> sick time for them. They would basically get about 2/3 of their sick time
> back.
>
> Do any of you have a similar practice or process and how do you make it
> work with the workers comp company so that they don't offset or reduce the
> employee's check when they use their own sick time?
>
>
>
> ~Sue
> Sue Lambert
> MSAD #49
> Benefits Specialist
> 8 School St
> Fairfield,  ME 04937
> 207-453-4200 x3109
> 207-453-0110 FAX
> For in-district direct dial: 3109
>
>
>
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-- 
Lucie Tabor
*Director of Finance*
*Valley Unified Educational Service Center (VUESC)*
*Serving the School Districts of MSAD 27, MSAD 33 and Madawaska School
Dept.*
*Upper St. John Valley*
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