The basics
The main things to think about when taking a leave of absence are:
- What type of leave am I eligible for?
- Will my time away be paid or unpaid?
It is important to understand that how your leave is administered is different than how you are paid while on leave. Using available benefit and time off programs is the only ways to receive income replacement while on a leave of absence.
Photo: Rebecca Rigby, Manger Clinical Excellence, Soccer player
Types of leave
There are various leaves of absence that may be available to you, depending on your situation. Review the chart below for a high-level overview of our types of leave.
Steps to take
View the checklist to help you plan for one of the many different types of leave available to you.
How you are paid
There are a few possible ways to receive full or partial income replacement depending on the type of leave you take. View section above for more details
Short-term leave (formerly short-term disability)
May be available if you can’t work because of a qualifying illness or injury or you become the parent of a new child, providing you income replacement for up to 180 days.
Note: You must be enrolled in short-term leave to receive parental leave benefits.
Long-term disability
May pay a portion of your salary starting on the 181st day of a qualifying disability.
Paid time off
May be used to supplement your paid short-term leave. Available time off may also be applied, if your leave does not qualify or you are not enrolled in short-term leave.
Unpaid time off
If you're not enrolled or eligible for short-term leave and/or you don't have any available paid time off, your leave would be unpaid.
Short-term leave (STL)
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Overview
Formerly short-term disability
Short-term leave is a voluntary benefit which provides income replacement for up to 180 days if you can’t work because of a qualifying illness or injury or you become the parent of a new child.
How it works
- You are automatically enrolled at 60% coverage when you become eligible for benefits, and some team members can choose to buy-up coverage to 70%.
- If you are enrolled in short-term leave, you are also eligible for parental leave.
- You can opt out during your enrollment window, but if you do, you might not be covered for certain pre-existing conditions* if you enroll at a later time.
- Actively at work provision: If you request to elect or increase you or your dependents’ coverage and are not actively at work at the start of the plan year, your coverage changes will not take effect until the date you return to work.
*Pre-existing conditions
- If you enroll during annual enrollment or during a life event, any conditions for which you've been diagnosed, treated or received medical advice, including pregnancy, in the 3 months prior to your effective date on the plan (October through December for annual enrollment) would be excluded from coverage for a period of 12 months.
- If you enroll as a new hire or because you are newly eligible for benefits, the pre-existing condition provision does not apply.
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Using STL for medical
Short-term leave may be available if your leave is for your own serious medical condition.
View the applicable medical leave guide to learn more about how you may be paid while you’re out.
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Using STL for parental
No matter how your family is growing, whether through birth, surrogacy or adoption, our parental leave is designed for all parents. For those enrolled in our short-term leave program, parental leave may provide parents with time off to bond with their new child.
Parental leave may be taken at any point within the first twelve (12) months of the child’s birth/adoption. Provides 100% income replacement for 4 weeks.
Important: You must have elected short-term leave coverage and be enrolled in the plan before your child's date of birth or placement in order to be eligible.
To learn more about parental leave and how your leave and pay work while you’re out, check out the applicable parental leave overview below or view the FAQs.
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STL rates
Your short-term leave rates are deducted form your paycheck every pay period, before taxes. Rate calculations are available in the PeoplePlace enrollment system.
Long-term disability (LTD)
If you are out for more than 180 days due to a qualifying disability, you may be eligible for LTD.
How it works
- BSW provides basic LTD (50%* coverage) at no cost to you, up to $15,000* a month.
- You have the option to buy-up coverage by 10%, up to $15,000* a month.
- If approved, LTD benefits continue for as long as you are disabled (and continue to meet certain criteria), or until you reach normal Social Security retirement age.
- Pre-existing conditions limitations may apply.
- Actively at work provision: If you request to elect or increase you or your dependents’ coverage and are not actively at work at the start of the plan year, your coverage changes will not take effect until the date you return to work.
*Other coverage levels are available for certain executive and physician roles and are visible in the PeoplePlace enrollment system.
LTD buy-up rates
Your LTD buy-up rates are deducted form your paycheck every pay period, after taxes. Rate calculations are available in the PeoplePlace enrollment system.
Resources
View the resources below for additional information.
Request a leave
Visit the Absence Center to initiate a leave, get assistance or find more information.
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Web: mySedgwick
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Call 844.511.5762, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM CST
View the mySedgwick user guide for assistance with navigation
Leave of absence checklist
You may be eligible to take a leave of absence for reasons related to your own medical condition, a family member's serious condition, military service and/or personal reasons. This checklist will help you plan for one of the many different types of leaves available to you.
Medical leave guide
View medical leave guides below for each time off program.
TFTO and PPTO programs effective July 1, 2024.
Parental leave guide (Births/adoptions before 1/1/25)
View the parental leave guides for each time off program below for births and/or adoptions before Jan. 1 2025.
TFTO and PPTO programs effective Juy 1, 2024.
Parental leave guide
View the parental leave guides for each time off program below for births and/or adoptions on or after Jan. 1 2025.
This site summarizes the programs and benefits available to employees and their eligible dependents. Official plan documents, policies and certificates of insurance that contain the details, conditions, maximum benefit levels and restrictions on benefits govern our benefits program and are available on this site. In case of a conflict between this site and the official documents, the official documents prevail. The information on this site isn't a guarantee of benefits. Baylor Scott & White reserves the right to modify or terminate its employee benefit plans and programs at any time for any reason.
Please contact us if you have feedback on the website or need to report an issue.