I am on short term disability through my job because of a bad flare and TM. I got a call today from my boss and he wants me to come to work sporadically to "consult" and nothing else, nothing physical but just wants me to help plan and consult on 2 very big clients, I am still all messed up from this flare but my mind is somewhat clear enough to help out. I can only do about 2 hours at a time but I feel like I can do this.........

My quetion is what will that do to my short term disability?

Does he have to pay me under the table, I can't show ANY income while on the short term insurance right?

Thanks ahead of time...

Joe

My short-term disability was paid by my employer, not an outside insurance company, so the rules might be different.

Quite often, while on short or long-term disability, a person may wish to "try" to go back to work on a "back to work" program. That is a pre-established schedule, and it may include trying to work a total of 8 hours the first two weeks, maybe 16 after that, etc., etc. If at any time you can't handle the pace, you can determine another more suitable schedule.

This is how I got back to work, as going back into a 40+ hr work week from the get-go would have been suicide.

I wasn't paid "excess" pay, over and above my normal wages (STD), for trying to get back into my job. I'm not really sure that they can do that when you are on STD, although perhaps this might be more negotiable on LTD.

Cherie

My disability insurance is paid by my employer as well..I'm sure all policies are different, so it would pay to get a copy of what the coverage is. My disability insurance pays 60% of my usual income for the first year, 50% after that. I could work 40% of my usual hours the first yr, 50% the second..As long as it comes up to 100% and no higher, I'm fine..

Hi Cherie and PolarExpress,

The insurance is from an outside agency, the insurance is paid by my employer but the checks come from the agency, I am not saying that I am OK to work at all, just that the guy wants to use my knowlege of the certian accounts to set up other people to do the work, I am just concerned that I will be cut off by the agency if I work at all........I guess I eed to call the insurance company to see.....

Thanks for all your help...

Oh Cherie, I am getting better by the WEEK some of the numbness is subsiding and my hand works a little better now........could it be that I am on the UPswing from this?

Also I do not want to jepordise this by trying to work.......

Joe

You should not be jeoporizing anything with your STD/the insurance company, at least as long as this is treated as a "back-to-work" program of some sort. I can't see how your employer can pay you "extra", since you already getting your "wages" (or reasonable facsimile) from the STD company, so this part may complicate matters.

However, just trying to "help out" the company, by doing some of your own job on a quasi back-to-work program (with no "extra" money), should be perfectly fine. In fact, this would be the best way to slowly get back into the grove of your job, don't you think?


You are just coming up on week 6, and the "recovery phase" usually starts at about exactly this point in time. Yes, I think you are definitely on the UPswing.

It is NOT a super fast recovery, but week by week you will likely look back and see 'something' has improved. For me, the damage usually repaired in virtually the same order it came on . . . except the "hug" (for me). That symptom seems to want to hang on as long as it can.

This is a traumatizing event, Joe; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. It's like any other REALLY bad thing that happens in life, and it takes time to heal from those events. For me, each new step back into the real world was scary, but it is best to try to take baby steps to that goal, as you make some improvements.

However, you will be very disappointed in yourself if you push too hard. You may be feeling better, but any amount of stress is going to mess up your head, and ultimately make you feel terribly defeated.

I think this opportunity with your employer, to phase back into the job but with no big expectations or demands, is a perfect plan. Go ahead, stick your toes in the water (ONLY YOUR TOES!), and see how it pans out. Just warn them that you can't make any promises quite yet . . .

Cherie

Hi Cherie,

I was thinking exactly the same thing, no promises, I am still all wacked out and my head is scrambled so I do NOT want any stress at all messing with me......you have been VERY helpfull to me Cherie, God bless you!!
So what you are saying is that I CAN get paid to consult without hurting my STD?

It does seem like I am getting better in the same way this came ON.......

Thanks again Cherie...

Joe

Joe I'm so glad you are starting to feel a bit better..

I hope you work the job and Disibility thingy out, to your advantage. You're smart to check on your statis first, before you plunge.

Keep getting better..