(A) The town provides a comprehensive worker’s 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 legal requirements, worker’s compensation insurance provides benefits after a short waiting period. The town shall pay the employee’s regular salary for the first five work days when such employee is absent due to a worker’s compensation injury. If absent for six or more work days, a portion of the regular salary may be provided via worker’s compensation insurance. Insurance reimbursement is made directly to the employee for the first five work days if an employee is absent for 21 work days. Employees shall reimburse the town the full amount of any worker’s compensation received for the first five work days. While on worker’s compensation disability, employee benefits shall accrue.
(B) An employee using worker’s compensatory time to attend an initial/follow-up appointment will be paid for this time at normal rate of pay. Worker’s compensation time is not considered as hours worked for purposes of calculating overtime compensation. The employee will be paid for this time in the form of monetary compensation. These hours may not be banked as compensatory time.
(C) Any employee who sustains a work-related injury or illness should inform the department head or supervisor 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.
(D) Neither the town nor the insurance carrier will be liable for the payment of worker’s compensation benefits for off-duty injuries or injuries that occur during an employee’s voluntary participation in any off-duty recreational, social, or athletic activity sponsored by the town.