(A) The town provides a comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance program at no cost to employees. This program covers any injury or illness sustained in the course of employment that requires medical, surgical, or hospital treatment. Subject to applicable federal and state legal requirements, workers’ compensation insurance may provide benefits after a short waiting period or, if the employee is hospitalized, immediately.
(B) An employee who sustains work-related injuries or illnesses must inform his or her department head, the Town Manager, and the Clerk-Treasurer immediately. No matter how minor an on-the-job injury may appear, it is important that it be reported immediately. This will enable an eligible employee to qualify for coverage as quickly as possible. At the time the injury occurs, the need to see a doctor will be determined. Within 72 hours of the incident report being submitted, a workers’ compensation insurance form must be completed by the involved employee, or if necessary, by the department head. A person assigned by the department head may help the employee in the completion of the appropriate forms. The town may select the physician and/or facility seeing all workplace injuries and in accordance with state laws. Reports of injury are necessary to comply with federal and state laws and initiate insurance and workers’ compensation benefits. Failure to notify a department head, the Town Manager, and the Clerk-Treasurer about a work-related injury or illness immediately may result in an employee losing workers’ compensation benefits with regards to that particular injury or illness. In addition, disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment may be initiated when failing to report an injury.
(C) Any employee injured on the job, who must leave the worksite, may be subject to a drug and alcohol test. Refusal to submit or positive results may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Refer to Policy #702—Drugs and Alcohol Use/Testing (§ 35.151) for additional information.
(D) The town maintains an aggressive return-to-work program. Following an appointment with a physician, the physician will communicate to the Clerk-Treasurer’s office any restrictions the employee may have as a result of the injury or illness. The department head, the Town Manager, or the Clerk-Treasurer will determine what accommodations may be made to assign the employee to restricted work duty. If no work is available to satisfy the restrictions, the Clerk-Treasurer’s office will maintain close communications between the employee and physician to ensure proper and timely treatment for the injury or illness. The town will return the employee to work as soon as he or she is either released with restrictions that may be accommodated by the town or fully released, whichever comes first. The employee must be accompanied by a physician’s release upon return to work. An employee who is on workers’ compensation disability leave and does not return to work immediately following release from the health care provider will be considered to have voluntarily terminated employment as of the date of the release.
(E) Health insurance coverage and other insurance benefits will continue to be paid as arranged prior to the injury or illness. The town will pay 100% of these claims and then seek reimbursement from the employee for his or her portion of the premiums upon their return to work.
(F) An employee who is self-employed or accepts other employment or works for any other employer during a workers’ compensation disability leave must report such work immediately to his or her department head, the Town Manager, or the Clerk-Treasurer’s office. An employee who works in one of the above capacities at any time during his or her workers’ compensation disability leave performing work of a like or similar character or exertion as that which the employee performed for the town may be considered to have voluntarily terminated his or her employment as the date such employment began.
(G) Employees may not benefit from the disability any greater than they would have during normal work conditions. The town will follow all other federal and state employment-related policies that run concurrent with workers’ compensation guidelines, such as FMLA, ADAAA, and the like.
(H) Employees may contact the Clerk-Treasurer’s office for additional information regarding workers’ compensation insurance.
(Ord. 2020-26, passed 1-12-21)