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Cole County to stop double-paying first three days of workers'comp lost-time pay; option to use accrued leave approved
Summary
After staff explained that state law provides a three-day waiting period and that Missouri Employers Mutual will not recover county-paid wages, the commission voted to end the longstanding county practice of paying full wages for the first three days of a work-related lost-time claim; employees may use accrued leave for that period. The change takes effect the first full pay period in July.
Cole County commissioners voted June 16 to align county practice with state workers'compensation rules and stop paying full wages for the first three days of lost-time claims, effective with the county's first full pay period in July.
HR/Finance staff told the commission that Cole County has historically paid employees full wages for the first three days of lost time following a work-related injury, even though state workers'compensation law defines a three-day waiting period for lost-time benefits and pays lost-time benefits at the statutory 60% rate. Staff said Missouri Employers Mutual does not reclaim those county payments and that the current practice increases county experience and insurance premiums.
"Cole County has always paid full wages for first three days of lost time," the HR/Finance presenter stated, then recommended the county cease that practice and follow statute. Staff proposed allowing employees to use accrued leave to cover the waiting period if they prefer.
Commissioners discussed concerns about leaving injured employees without pay and emphasized they did not want a policy that would discourage people from seeking timely medical care. One commissioner said the change should include notice and coordination with payroll and personnel, and HR staff recommended making the change effective with the first full pay period in July to provide notice to employees. The commission adopted the HR-suggested policy change by recorded voice vote.
The action distinguishes between the county's prior discretionary pay practice, direction to HR to update handbook language to formalize accrued-leave options, and the statutory workers'compensation framework that governs benefit amounts and eligibility. Commissioners did not name specific statutory citations during the discussion; staff referred to the statute generically and described the 14-day retroactivity rule (if an injured worker is off 14 consecutive days, work-comp benefits are paid retroactively rather than subject to the three-day waiting period).
