VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

Workers’ Compensation If an accident or illness arising from, or occurring during an employee’s job, causes the employee to miss work, that employee may be entitled to compensation to help offset the loss of wages during the period they are unable to work. To be covered, an employee must report the accident to their supervisor immediately in writing. Required medical attention will be provided at no cost to the employee. The amount of benefits payable and the duration of payment are dependent on the nature of the illness or injury. In general, however, all medical expenses incurred in connection with a work-related injury or illness are paid in full, and partial salary payments are provided beginning with the third consecutive day of the employee’s absence from work. If incapacity continues for seven days compensation is retroactive to the first day. VCOM pays the entire cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Employees do not share in the cost. For more information employees on the Virginia campus can review the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act (VA 65.2) at: www.vwc.state.va.us/portal/vwc-website. Employees on the South Carolina Campus can review the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law (Title 42) at: www.scstatehouse.gov/code/titl42.htm or www.wcc.state.sc.us. Employees on the Auburn campus can review the Alabama Industrial Relations and Labor Law (title 25) at: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/123309.htm. Employees on the Louisiana campus can review the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act (Title 23) at: http://legis.la.gov/legis/Laws_Toc.aspx?folder=97&title=23. Unemployment Insurance If an employee is laid off for reasons beyond their control, the employee will be eligible to apply for unemployment compensation. In Virginia, the employee can apply at the local office of the Virginia Employment Commission (Commission) or on the website at: www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal//index.cfm. On the Carolinas Campus, the employee can access the Department of Employment and Workforce at: http://dew.sc.gov/default.asp to begin the three-step process for unemployment compensation; eligibility is determined in Step 1. On the Auburn campus, faculty can access the Alabama Department of Labor website at: http://www.dir.alabama.gov/uc/ for information on how to apply. On the Louisiana campus, faculty can access the Louisiana Workforce Commission website at: http://www.laworks.net/Homepage.asp for information on how to apply. Individual eligibility depends upon such factors as length of employment, reason for separation, entitlement from other work sources, and salary earned. VCOM pays the entire cost of unemployment compensation. Employees do not share in the cost. Benefits Upon Termination There are special considerations to keep in mind regarding employee benefits after leaving the employment of VCOM. Employees will receive detailed information at the time of their departure regarding the options available. Health Coverage When an individual is no longer eligible for coverage under VCOM’s health care program as an employee, they may continue the benefits of the program under what is referred to as the COBRA law. A former employee’s enrolled

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