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Court considers replacing sick-leave donation pool with employer-paid short-term disability
Summary
Staff told the court the current sick-leave donation pool creates an unfunded liability and proposed an employer-paid short-term disability policy that would cost about $24,000 annually and provide up to 12 weeks of benefits.
County human-resources staff presented a comparison between the existing sick-leave donation pool and a potential employer-paid short-term disability policy. Staff reported the sick-leave pool’s current balance is about 2,993 hours (near the 3,000-hour cap) and described an unfunded liability estimated at roughly $74,000; they said a short-term disability policy would be an employer-paid benefit costing about $24,000 annually and would reduce the county’s unfunded exposure.
Supporters said the short-term disability plan would protect employee privacy, run concurrently with FMLA and could extend income protection (up to 12 weeks) beyond the typical sick-pool cap (about 240 hours or roughly 30 working days). Staff discussed eligibility rules (12 months’ employment and minimum accrued hours) and noted preexisting-condition waiting periods in vendor plans. Commissioners asked about cost, eligibility, and whether donors could reclaim previously donated sick hours (staff said donated hours are not returnable). One commissioner proposed a motion to abolish the sick-leave pool and adopt the employer-paid short-term disability policy subject to details and further review.
