Frequently Asked Questions
VSDP
- Who do I contact to initiate a disability claim?
- What is Unum?
- How long is the waiting period for short-term disability benefits?
- How long will my short-term disability benefits last?
- Will I get paid for the holiday while receiving short-term disability benefits?
- Can I use my sick bank for short-term absences due to illness?
- Do I need a doctor's release to return to work?
- I'm a new hire, when can I start using my get sick leave and family and personal leave?
- Can I carry forward unused sick and family personal leave at the end of the year?
- Will I get paid for unused sick and family personal leave upon separation of employment?
Family and Medical Leave (FML)
- How much notice do I have to give my supervisor of the need for FML?
- Can I take FML to care for my parents-in-laws, grandparents, or siblings?
- Can I use my sick leave to care for an immediate family member while on FML?
- Is FML paid?
- Who is eligible for FML?
- What are the benefits to FML?
- Does FML affect my health insurance?
Leave
- If I'm late reporting to work due to bad weather or transportation difficulties but the university is not officially closed, can I take authorized closing leave?
- If I worked during an authorized closing, will I earn authorized closing compensatory leave?
- When will I start earning annual and sick leave?
- When can I use annual leave?
VSDP
Who do I contact to initiate a disability claim?
Call Unum at 1-800-652-5602
What is Unum?
Unum is the third party administrator for the VSDP. Unum works with the employee's doctor to determine whether or not the employee qualifies for disability benefits.
How long is the waiting period for short-term disability benefits?
If your hire date is prior to July 1, 2009, STD provides disability benefits normally beginning after an employee is absent from work for more than 20 hours in a 7-calendar day period, and cannot continue to work. Applicable leave (annual, sick, compensatory, family personal) must be used during the waiting period or LWOP. The waiting period is waived if the VSDP determines that the employee's condition is catastrophic or major chronic.
If your hire date is July 1, 2009 or after, you have a one year waiting period before VSDP benefits are available.
How long will my short-term disability benefits last?
If you are eligible for short-term disability benefits, they could continue for up to 125 work days provided that your doctor has disabled you from work.
Will I get paid for the holiday while receiving short-term disability benefits?
No. Employees who are receiving disability payments when a holiday occurs are paid according to their level of disability income.
Can I use my sick bank for short-term absences due to illness?
No. Sick bank or disability credits may only be used to replace income when an employee is on short-term or long-term disability. Sick bank must be used in increments of 8 credits per day.
Do I need a doctor's release to return to work?
Yes, employees must present their supervisors with a doctor's release upon return to work.
I'm a new hire, when can I start using my get sick leave and family and personal leave?
New hires are credited with sick and family personal leave during their first year of employment based on their employment date. Leave may be used after employees first day of employment, provided that it is requested in advance and approved by their supervisor.
Can I carry forward unused sick and family personal leave at the end of the year?
No. Employees are credited with new sick and family personal leave on January 10th, based on years of service.
Will I get paid for unused sick and family personal leave upon separation of employment?
No. Unused sick and family personal leave is forfeited upon separation of employment. Employees who have 5 + years of service will be paid 25% of their remaining sick bank or disability credits.
Family and Medical Leave (FML)
How much notice do I have to give my supervisor of the need for FML?
Employees should provide 30 days advance notice and medical certification.
Can I take FML to care for my parents-in-laws, grandparents, or siblings?
No. FML is not available to care for parents-in-laws, grandparents, or siblings.
Can I use my sick leave to care for an immediate family member while on FML?
Classified employees may use up to 33% of their sick leave available at the start of leave to care for an immediate family member. Regular salaried faculty may use 10 days of family sick.
Is FML paid?
FML provides eligible employees up to 12 week of unpaid leave. Employees may choose to use applicable leave balances during this time to provide income replacement.
Who is eligible for FML?
Employees who have worked for the state for one year and have work 1,250 hours in the 12 months preceding the start of the leave are eligible to apply for FML.
What are the benefits to FML?
FML provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job and benefits protection. Employees returning from FML are guaranteed reinstatement in their original or equivalent position.
Does FML affect my health insurance?
Health benefits are continued with the employee paying his/her portion of the premium.
Leave
If I'm late reporting to work due to bad weather or transportation difficulties but the university is not officially closed, can I take authorized closing leave?
No. Authorized closing leave is only to be used when there is an official university authorized closing. However, supervisors may allow employees up to a maximum of one hour past the start of their normal shift to report to work during bad weather or transportation difficulties. This would not be reported on the leave record.
If I worked during an authorized closing, will I earn authorized closing compensatory leave?
Employees must be designated as emergency personnel and required by their supervisor to perform work during an authorized closing in order to earn compensatory leave. Employees should check with their supervisor to find out if their position is designated as emergency personnel.
When will I start earning annual and sick leave?
New hires start earning annual leave after they have worked a full pay period. Annual and sick leave earnings are posted on the 9th and 24th of each month.
When can I use annual leave?
Annual leave is available for use after it is earned. Use of leave must be approved in advance by the supervisor.
Contact Us
HR Service Center
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Telephone: 540-231-9331
Fax: 540-231-3830
Email: HRServiceCenter@vt.edu
The Department of Human Resources is now located on the second floor of the North End Center. Learn more.
