Leave Buy Back Program at the UW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Buy Back?”
“Buy back” is a program that enables state employees to
recover sick and annual leave they have used for on-the-job injuries. State
law requires classified staff to “buy back” sick leave; annual leave “buy
back” is optional. Sick leave or annual leave buy back is optional for
professional staff. UW Faculty are not eligible.
Who is eligible?
Any University employee who accrues sick and annual leave
AND who has been paid by Labor & Industries for leave time they used due
to an on-the-job injury.
Why do I have to “buy back” my leave?
Employees cannot use sick leave and be paid time loss
from Labor & Industries at the same time. This would result in a “double
payment.” You cannot collect money in excess of what you would have received
if you were on sick leave for the whole absence.
How does the program work?
You use the time loss money Labor & Industries sends
you to “buy back” the leave you used. When you receive a check from Labor
& Industries, the Office of Risk Management will send you a “leave buy back worksheet” to complete.
Your payroll coordinator can assist you to calculate how much sick leave you
are able to put back on your leave record.
How much can I “buy back?”
That depends on how much money you get from Labor &
Industries. You “buy back” sick leave hours at your normal rate of hourly
pay. (For example, if you are paid $5 per hour, your sick leave costs $5 per
hour.) Labor & Industries generally pays about 65% of your gross wages,
depending on your marital status and number of dependents. Expect to “buy
back” about 65% of the sick leave you used.
Why can’t I “buy back” all of my sick leave?
Since Labor & Industries only pays you a percentage
of your full wages, you can only “buy back “ a percentage of your leave with
that money. On the plus side, you won’t suffer the income loss that occurs
when you are only paid time loss through Labor & Industries.
What do I do with my time loss check?
Deposit it into your personal bank account, but DON'T
SPEND IT unless absolutely necessary. You can then “buy back” your leave with
a personal check or money order.
What if I already spent it?
You will have to make other payment arrangements with the
Office of Risk Management. Remember, buying back your sick leave is mandatory.
Sick Leave Buy Back Program
State
personnel rules (WAC 357-31-240) require that employees who receive workers’
compensation time-loss benefits in addition to sick leave pay return the
excess to their employer. All Classified Staff Employees are required to
participate. Professional staff may elect to participate, if they so choose.
Faculty are not eligible.
The University of Washington’s Sick Leave Buy Back Program meets the legal
requirement of the state personnel rule and allows University
employees to recover some of their sick or annual leave used for on-the-job
injuries. Employees use money paid to them by the Department of Labor &
Industries (L&I) to buy back leave time used during the period of
time-loss. Leave buy back and reinstatement is beneficial because it can
extend an employee’s eligibility for health plan coverage, and because it can
permit paid leave accrual during leave of absence.
Procedure
1.
You receive and deposit a time-loss check
from L&I.
2.
Risk Management sends you a Notice of
Eligibility for Sick Leave Buy Back Program and a Leave Buy Back Work
Sheet.
3.
Contact your payroll coordinator to complete
the Leave Buy Back Work Sheet.
Both you and your payroll coordinator must sign and date the completed worksheet.
4.
Return a copy of the completed Leave Buy
Back Work Sheet to the Office of Risk Management by fax at (206) 543-3773 or by mail to UW Office of Risk Management, Box 351276,
Seattle,
WA
98195. Include a personal check (payable to the
University of Washington) or money order. Do not send your L&I check. This
amount must be received by the Office of Risk
Management within 6 months.
5.
When you have repaid this amount, leave time
will be reinstated to your leave record in the month in which the entire
payment is completed.
For
more information about your L&I claim or the Sick Leave Buy Back Program,
please call the Office of Risk Management at (206) 543-0183 or workcomp@u.washington.edu.
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Last updated:
1/29/08
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