Stay at Work / Return to Work
Definition
Note: The following only applies to employees whose disability began January 1, 2000 or later.
The University's Short-term and Supplemental Disability plans, administered by Liberty Mutual, provide for a Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work (SAW/RTW) provision. This program allows an employee to stay at work or return to work on a part-time basis while still receiving partial disability benefits. Benefits will be payable if the amount the employee earns from working is less than or equal to 80% of the employee's original salary.
Application
Under SAW/RTW the employee may:
- Stay at work part time during the initial phases of a disability. This will help an employee who has not yet become totally disabled and can work part time;
- Return to work part time after a period of time off due to total disability, with the goal of increasing the employee's work hours to his/her previous work schedule;
- Work full time, but at a job with a lower salary that better matches the employee's capabilities while partially disabled;
- Earn more money from working, benefits and other income than the employee would be entitled to if the employee was on total disability.
To be eligible for SAW/RTW, an employee must be working no more than 80% of the employee's regular schedule, or receiving no more than 80% of his/her pre-disability earnings. The employee's benefits under the disability plan and from all other sources of income may not exceed 100% of eligible earnings prior to the employee's disability.
Supervisor's Checklist
- Eligibility for SAW/RTW is dependent on:
- The department's ability to accommodate a reduced work schedule;
- The employee's ability to safely work; and
- Liberty Mutual's acceptance of the employee's request for SAW/RTW.
- If you believe you have an employee who can benefit from this program, please refer the employee to Benefits & Financial Planning in Human Resources.
- As the supervisor, you should also contact Disability Management Services to concurrently formalize this SAW/RTW into a Transitional Work plan.
MORE
University of California Partial Disability: Stay at Work/Return to Work Factsheet.
Disability Management Services: UCSF Transitional Work Plan, Managers Tool Kit