Human Resources Policies

Workers' Compensation is designed to provide wage loss benefits and reimbursement for reasonable medical care expenses to an employee who is injured, or becomes ill, through the course of their employment.

For the purpose of this policy, the term 'employee' below includes faculty, professional staff, and student employees.

Notification of a Work-related Injury or Illness: If an employee is injured while performing their job duties, or suffers an injury or illness as a result of the workplace or tasks that the employee must perform, they must report the injury to a manager within 24 hours of the injury or onset of illness. The manager will then:

• complete a "Manager First Report of Injury Form" within 24 hours of the injury or onset of illness. If the employee is unable to report the injury, the employee's manager must complete the form to the best of their ability as soon as possible.

• complete a "Manager Accident/Near Miss Investigation Form" within 72 hours of the injury or onset of illness. The Director of Compliance & Risk Management and the Workplace Safety Committee are available to assist Managers with the investigation and completion of the form.

If an employee is absent from work for a full day or shift due to a work-related injury or illness, the employee's Manager is required to notify Human Resources (358-3902) on the first day the employee is absent from work.

Medical Treatment Following a Work-related Injury or Illness: The College has selected a panel of physicians and other healthcare providers who are available to treat your work-related injury or illness. In order to assure payment through Workers' Compensation insurance, care must be received from a healthcare provider on that panel during the first 90 days of treatment. An employee may receive treatment, during the first 90 days, from a healthcare provider not on that panel if referred by a provider on the panel. If you are injured at work or suffer an occupational illness, you have certain legal RIGHTS and DUTIES under Section 306 (f.1)(1)(i) of the Workers' Compensation Act regarding your medical treatment.

Workers' Compensation Benefits: Benefits are provided to employees who incur injuries or illness arising from, and in the course of, their employment. In the event of a compensable work-related injury or illness, employees are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary surgical and medical services and supplies, and orthopedic appliances and prosthesis, including training in their use.

If an employee has an approved absence due to an occupational injury or illness, wage loss benefits will be provided in accordance with PA Workers' Compensation law. Such wage loss benefits are not intended to replace full salary. An employee may not use paid sick days and/or paid vacation days on any day(s) they receive wage loss benefits per the Workers' Compensation Act. An employee may, however, use any earned paid sick days or paid vacation days during a "waiting week". If Workers' Compensation wage loss benefits become payable retroactive to the first day off work, Workers' Compensation wage loss payments must be turned over to the College if the employee has already received full base salary via paid sick leave or paid vacation. However, in no case will an employee receive less net (after-tax) wages than what is required per the PA Workers' Compensation Act.

Family & Medical Leave, if applicable, will run concurrently with any necessary, approved time off work. Family & Medical Leave will be considered unpaid when an employee is receiving income through Workers' Compensation. Fringe benefits coverage for an eligible full-time employee will be provided if the employee is eligible for Family & Medical Leave, per the College's Family & Medical Leave Policy.

When Workers' Compensation wage loss benefits are paid, benefits coverage is per policies pertaining to an unpaid Family & Medical Leave. If an employee must purchase prescription medication due to a work-related injury or illness, they should notify the pharmacist that the prescription is for a work-related injury.

Modified Work Duties/ Transitional Return to Work Program: The College strives to provide modified work duties, on a temporary basis, to an employee who has experienced an occupational injury or illness. The College reserves the right to temporarily transfer an employee to another office or department on campus in order to provide productive modified-duty work. When determining the type of work the employee can perform, the College will rely on instructions from the employee's health care provider as well as the employee's experience and abilities.

An employee performing modified duties will generally receive their normal base wages if working the same number of hours, days per week, and shift as prior to the injury or onset of illness. Wages will be prorated if working less than a full schedule, but will be no less than what is required per the PA Workers' Compensation Act. Modified duties will typically be provided for, and reassessed, every 3 months.

-----
Policy Maintained by: Human Resources, Associate Vice President
Last Reviewed: August 25, 2023