HR and Benefits: Active Employee Handbook

STD Benefit Period

When Benefits Are Paid
STD benefits are paid weekly for as long as you are eligible to receive them, up to a maximum of 180 consecutive days.
Benefit Waiting Period
The benefit waiting period is the time you must be continuously disabled before you become eligible for STD benefits. The waiting period for STD benefits is seven consecutive days.
When Benefits Begin
STD benefits begin after seven consecutive days of disability.
Maximum Benefit Period
STD benefits are payable for up to 180 consecutive days from the date of disability. However, actual pay begins after the end of the 7 day waiting period and may be payable up to 173 days. (Benefits are not paid for the 7 day waiting period).
When Benefits End
STD benefits end automatically on the earliest of:
  • the date you are no longer disabled
  • the date your maximum benefit period ends
  • the date you die
  • the date benefits become payable under other disability insurance sponsored by Metro or another employer
  • the date you fail to provide proof of continued disability or STD eligibility
Coordination of Benefits
STD benefits will be coordinated with sick leave and other Metro benefits as shown below. Keep in mind that STD benefits (at 60% of earnings) are not taxable, while paid leave (at full pay) is taxable. Ultimately, your decision to draw STD benefits or use paid or unpaid leave will depend on a number of factors, including the length of your disability, the amount of paid leave available, and your financial situation. Be sure to think through these matters carefully.
Before STD Benefits Begin
If you are absent from work because of disability, you may use paid leave to satisfy the STD waiting period of seven consecutive days. Note: Because weekend days (two) apply toward the waiting period, the maximum number of paid-leave days required to fulfill the STD waiting period is generally five.
If you have more than five days of paid leave available, you have a choice:
  • You may use these additional days past the seven-day waiting period, or
  • You may bank these days for future use when you return to work.
You are not required to use all of your paid leave before your disability benefits begin.
If you have no leave available, you may take unpaid pay for the seven-day waiting period. Your STD benefits will begin when you complete the seven-day waiting period.
While Receiving STD Benefits
You may use sick leave or vacation leave while receiving short-term disability benefits.  If you elect to use sick leave, you will not be paid by the insurance carrier during this time.  However, if you elect to use vacation leave you will be paid by the insurance carrier.
After STD Benefits End
If you cannot return to work once your STD benefits end, you may be eligible for a disability pension or optional long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Please contact Metro Human Resources if it appears you cannot return to work.

NOTE: Paid-time-off (PTO) benefits for employees of Metro Nashville Hospital Authority, Public Health Department, and Metro Nashville may differ from PTO benefits described here. See your departmenal Human Resources Coordinator.