Wage Replacement Benefits & Restrictions

If an employee is unable to work after an injury, the employee must provide the supervisor with written documentation from a  medical provider explaining the reason for an absence, the period the absence is to cover and, if possible, a projected date for return to work.

How Wage Replacement Benefits Work

  • It is University policy to pay an injured employee for the balance of their work shift on the date of injury, no matter what time the injury occurs or whether the employee returns to work on the same day.
  • The employee must be out of work for three (3) days (excluding the day of injury) before workers’ compensation pays for lost work time.
  • If the employee loses one to three days of work (District of Columbia waiting period), no temporary disability payments will be made.  Employees will use paid leave, sick leave or leave without pay during the waiting period. *
  • If the employee loses four to 14 days, temporary disability will begin with day four. If the employee is out 14 consecutive days or more, workers’ compensation disability payments will begin with day one of the absence.  In this instance the employee can elect to have leave restored.  Contact payroll for instructions in restoring leave.
  • The temporary disability payments are based on the wages the employee earned in the 26 weeks prior to the date of injury. The rate of pay for workers’ compensation is 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage up to a maximum amount that is calculated each year. The payments are tax-free and subject to limits set by the District of Columbia.

* Leave for union-represented employees is governed by the terms of the applicable collective bargain agreement.  Contact your human resources generalist for information on how leave is handled during the three-day waiting period. 

Wage Disability Payment Restrictions

  • An employee may not use paid leave or sick leave in lieu of workers’ compensation pay. If this occurs the University will be repaid by the employee.
  • An employee may receive workers’ compensation pay and regular University pay (including holiday pay) for the same period of time.  An employee who receives both will be required to reimburse the University the amount of the regular pay.
  • An employee may not receive Short-Term or Long Term Disability payments while receiving workers’ compensation disability payments.
  • An employee may not receive disability pay in the District of Columbia while also receiving payments under the workers’ compensation law of any other sate for the same injury.