If you have a disability or medical problem that makes it difficult for you to do your job, you might fear being fired or be tempted to quit your job. However, the option of short-term disability insurance offers you the opportunity to maintain your employment and seek help for your condition.
Difficulties at Work
An illness or disability can affect your physical and mental capacity to perform your job adequately and may put your long-term career prospects, as well as current employment, at risk.
Short Term Disability Insurance
Many companies offer employees short-term disability insurance. This insurance pays all or part of an employee's salary while she is away from work due to a disability.
Read More: Rules of Short Term Disability
Disability Definition
A disability is defined as a medical condition that prevents you from working for a period of time. Both physical and mental illnesses can qualify as a disability.
Family Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers covered by the law to allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off in any 12-month period. Some employers combine a worker's FMLA leave with the time afforded by short-term disability insurance.
Warning
While an employer might provide short-term disability insurance, an extended absence from work may have a negative effect on your career. If possible, temporarily disabled workers should arrange for a work-from-home arrangement or request reduced hours rather than being absent from the workplace or not performing any job duties.
References
Writer Bio
Lainie Petersen writes about business, real estate and personal finance, drawing on 25 years experience in publishing and education. Petersen's work appears in Money Crashers, Selling to the Masses, and in Walmart News Now, a blog for Walmart suppliers. She holds a master's degree in library science from Dominican University.