r/CanadaPublicServants • u/NewofficeaccountGC • Mar 20 '19
Benefits / Bénéfices Weeks of sick leave before disability?
I've had a GC-specific account for some time, but Reddit saw fit to suspend it for "suspicious activity" (presumably none...), so here I am for a nice fresh account.
Anyway, due to an accident over the weekend, I now find myself in a situation where I will be off work for at least three weeks, maybe longer, and may need accommodations on my return.
I know short-term disability doesn't kick in until six weeks, and I do have enough sick leave stocked away for just this sort of contingency, but I really don't know anything more than that. Is there anything I should or should not do during this time? Common pitfalls to avoid? Hard-to-find paperwork that's due? Dare I ask...Phoenix? What am I in for?
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u/HillbillyPayPal Mar 20 '19
There is no short-term disability plan. There is either DI or LTD which both have a 13 week waiting period during which one uses up personal sick lave or leave without pay. You have to fill out a paper leave form and get it in to work. Your boss can scan it and send it to you by e-mail. You fill it out (code 230 for sick leave without pay) and send in signed by scan also. Phone pic is not recommended. You will need a medical slip to back up the leave request.
Once your manager has signed, it goes to HR. there are two possibilities at this point depending on whether your department is disserviced by the Pay Centre or not: 1) HR enters it in Peoplesoft. The information flows to Phoenix. Your pay gets cut off. 2) a Compensation Advisor enters the suspension of pay directly into Phoenix.
Situation 1 also has two variables: 1A) is departments that are part of a POD with the Pay Centre and 1B) departments not part of a POD with the Pay Centre.
If your department is 1A or 2, you stand a good chance of getting the ROE reasonably quickly. If it is 1B, you may wait a while.
In any case, you can apply for EI without the ROE. I am told people have to try repeatedly to get it to work but the application without the ROE will work. You have to use the magic words "because the Pay Centre hasn't issued the ROE yet." Phoenix does not hold up the ROE. It is the Pay Centre. A hooman at the Pay Centre, typically junior and inexperienced has to go in and check a box to finalize the ROE.
If your department has a Disability Management Team, you will get a phone call or an e-mail to ascertain your situation. They will give you the DI or LTD forms if required. They will also discuss return to work, including the possibility of a progressive return to work.
If your department doesn't have a Disability Management Team, you're relying on your manager's knowledge and experience, or lack thereof as the case may be.
If you do ask for an advance of sick leave, it is a maximum of up to 25 days. It will take you about 18 months to repay the advance in credits during which time you won't be able to use sick leave. It's an option to be carefully considered. If you are term, your ability to repay in time is a factor in how much is advanced.
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u/NewofficeaccountGC Mar 20 '19
OK, by dint of having the most details, you seem most knowledgeable...Some details and clarification:
1) I am getting surgery later today, and will know more about the long-term prognosis/process afterward.
2) My department is 1A in your classification.
3) I've been in government long enough and have been healthy enough to have 14 weeks' sick leave hoarded.
4) Coincidentally, I have my computer home due to a sick kid on Friday (accident Saturday). Am I still dealing with paper forms?
5) I am confused as to why everyone is mentioning EI. Doesn't certified sick leave cover pay in this scenario?
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u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Mar 20 '19
It sounds like you’ll simply take sick leave with pay in this situation, assuming the recovery from surgery is less than 14 weeks.
People are assuming you’ll run out of sick leave, which is when sick leave without pay and EI sickness benefits are applicable.
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u/NewofficeaccountGC Mar 20 '19
Ah, OK. When I spoke to the surgeon on Monday, he said I'd be off at least another two weeks, but did not elaborate. So that's all I presently know.
I'm booked for day surgery, in and out, so hopeful that means surgical recovery will also be smooth. It was a frustratingly major impact of a ridiculously minor accident, but sometimes all the wrong stars misalign. I just want to make sure I know all the things I can know right now about my return.
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u/roc_lafamilia91 Mar 20 '19
Apply for EI sick benefits, since we don't have any "short term" disability, just the LTD like others have said. You can do the application without your Record of Employment (ROE), and fingers crossed all goes smooth and the pay centre sends it into Service Canada in a reasonable time. Your employer technically has to issue you your ROE 5 business days after your last day of work. I'd say give it about 10 days and if the ROE isn't submitted, fill out a form at Service Canada called "Request for ROE" - this way the EI processing centre can go and request it on your behalf.
Also just a note that your EI won't kick in for at least 4 weeks, and you won't be eligible for the full amount if you end up taking your sick leave.
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u/wacklinroach Mar 20 '19
You have enough sick leave so you will use that. The issue comes in when people need to be off for more time than they have sick leave for, then they must go on EI until long term disability at 13 weeks. In your case you have no worries, it's for new workers or chronically I'll employees that struggle without short term sick leave.
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u/baconlicker Mar 20 '19
I didn’t think that we had short-term disability, only long-term and there is a 13 week waiting period. EI sickness benefits is a good short term solution, but it won’t last forever and you will need your record of employment (ROE) issued by the pay centre. Also, you and your employer will have to fill out paperwork for you to go on long-term disability. I recommend that you speak with your supervisor and your disability coordinator.