Information for Payroll Coordinators

The role of the payroll coordinator is to assist with the reinstatement of leave to the Injured Worker (IW). You may be asked several questions regarding the sick leave buy back program or leave options. Please use this as a guide to help employees buy back their sick leave and/or vacation time.

The Office of Risk Management is the only University department authorized to complete and sign any Department of Labor and Industries form. If you are asked to complete one, please contact us with questions or for further information.

Leave Options

The University of Washington offers you many options for coding the IW’s industrial injury leave. The IW may use accrued sick leave, vacation time, comp time, leave without pay (LWOP), or a combination of the above. For additional information visit HR Benefits.
The IW is NOT eligible for shared leave; however, he/she may be eligible for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If the IW uses LWOP for more than one month, he/she needs to contact his/her HR representative with questions regarding possible benefits termination. Contact us with additional questions or for further information.

Sick/Vacation Leave Buyback

The University of Washington is required to have a buy back program for eligible workers who are paid for sick or vacation leave hours from the University and also receive timeloss payment from L&I for the same period of time. The Buy Back Program reconciles this “double payment” and allows for reinstatement of a proportionate amount of leave to the IW’s leave record. He/She is required to buy back sick leave, but it is optional to buy back vacation leave. The IW may contact you to obtain the number of hours worked within a particular time frame. See Frequently Asked Questions/Procedure about Buy Back for details. Contact us with questions or for further information.

Information for Payroll Coordinators

Leave Options

Sick/Vacation Leave Buyback

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