LWOP and benefits continuation policies

CathyMac

Does anyone have LWOP limitations policy and/or a Benefits Continuation Policy that you will share? Thanks...

HRCalico

We're in the process of revising our handbook (it has been going on for the last 18 months! x:'() so I don't have anything written. I can tell you that we use the FMLA standards (the revision will include a requirement to use paid leave concurrently with FML) and a few weeks before that is exhausted, we send out a very simple form to extend the leave. It asks for a very general description of the need for leave (back surgery), and the estimated length of time needed. It then must be returned prior to the exhaustion of the FML and approved by the supervisor, me, and our president.

For benefits continuation, we don't have a written policy. We require that an employee on leave pay for their portion of the premium for health and dental (we continue to cover the 100% of disability and life insurance).

Hope that helps a little bit.

atrimble

>For benefits continuation, we don't have a written policy. We require that an employee on
>leave pay for their portion of the premium for health and dental (we continue to cover the 100% of disability and life insurance).

If an employee continues to receive pay from us by utilizing accrued paid time off, then we simply continue to withhold their contribution from their paycheck. If they run out of PTO and stop receiving a paycheck from us (LWoP), we require they send a check on a monthly basis for their portion of the premium.

Basically, if a person is approved for "Leave" (paid or unpaid) that means we still consider them an employee entitled to all the benefits we offer active employees.

The decision to approve LWoP is on a case by case basis - if an employee can't make premium payments without a paycheck, then chances are they'll not be approved. If we lay them off or terminate employment, they become eligible for COBRA, and therefore resposible for the entire premium, until we rehire them. We also get a return to work commitment as part of the consideration to approve LWoP.

E Wart

Before you set up your policy on Benefits continuation, you may want to check your SPD/Policy to see how it is worded. You don't want a conflict between the two. (Or talk with your carrier/agent.)
E Wart