Workers' Compensation, Leave Balances, and Your Paycheck ( Printable version in PDF)

• Q:  If I miss work due to appointments for my Workers' Compensation Injury do I have to use my sick/vacation/personal time?
  A:  Yes, you must use your accrued leave balances in order to be paid for any doctor appointments, physical therapy, medical tests or any appointment related to your Workers' Comp injury.  Whenever possible, make your appointments before or after your scheduled work shift or else you will need to use your sick, vacation or personal time balances. If you do not have available leave balances, your time out will be unpaid. Missed work time for appointments is not covered by the district.
• Q:  If I have a work place injury and the doctor places me on Off Work status, does the district pay me? 
  A:
  • If you are off work from 1-7 days:  No. (You may use your available leave balances to generate pay during this period). 
  • If you are off work from 8-14 days:  Yes, our Workers' Compensation insurance company The Alliance, not TUSD, will pay you at 66 ²⁄₃% of your average weekly paycheck for days 8-14.  You may elect to use your sick, vacation or personal time to receive a total of 100% of your normal pay.
  • If you are off work for 15 or more days:  Yes, our Workers' Compensation insurance company The Alliance, not TUSD, will pay you at 66 ²⁄₃% of your average weekly paycheck retroactively for days 1-15 and any days beyond that. You may elect to use sick, vacation, or personal time to total 100% of your normal pay.

  The Alliance, our Worker's Compensation insurance company will mail your check.

  Summary:  For the first 7 days, employees need to use accrued leave balances.  After 7 days, balances can be used to add to the Worker's Compensation rate, making up to 100% of your normal pay. (Example for 8 hour employee: The Alliance pays 5.5 hours; employee may use 2.5 hours of leave to equal 8.0 hours of pay.) If no leave balances are available, the remainder of time will be unpaid.

• Q:  How often will I get paid?
  A:  If using your sick, personal or vacation time, you will get paid on normal TUSD paydays. Checks from The Alliance are mailed to you once (1x) per month.
• Q:  I am on light duty – how am I paid?
  A:  You will receive your regular rate of pay for time worked from TUSD.
• Q:  If I have to go on a Leave of Absence for my injury do I still get paid by TUSD?  (Per Governing Board policy, you must apply for LOA if out more than 10 days).
  A:  It depends on the type of Leave of Absence you qualify for under TUSD policy and your Employee Agreement.  For example:
  If you qualify for FMLA and you have sick, vacation, or personal leave balances:  You will use your balances and be paid by Workers' Compensation for up to 100% of your pay.  If you do not have any balances you will only receive Workers' Compensation if the doctor has placed you in an off work status.
  If you do not qualify for FMLA you will only be paid by Workers' Compensation at 66 ²⁄₃% of your average weekly wage.
• Q:  What about my benefits while on LOA?
  A:  TUSD still pays for the district's part of your benefits.  You are still responsible to pay for your part of your benefits that normally are deducted from your paycheck.  The Benefits office will bill you if you are not receiving a TUSD paycheck. 
  If you have to go on a Governing Board Leave of Absence, you will receive a COBRA notice to review options.
• Q:  Am I eligible to receive short-term disability if I've been hurt at work?
  A:  No.  You are not eligible to receive short-term disability benefits while receiving benefits from The Alliance.  Per our short-term disability insurance company policy:  "No payment will be made for a Disability caused or contributed to by any injury or sickness for which you are entitled to benefits under Workers' Compensation or similar law."