If you’ve suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help cover the cost of medical care and lost wages while you’re unable to work.
However, many employees wonder if they’re entitled to vacation pay while on workers’ comp. In this article, we’ll explore this question in depth.
What is Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. These benefits can include medical care, rehabilitation services, and lost wages.
What is Vacation Pay?
Vacation pay is an additional benefit that some employers offer to their employees. This benefit provides paid time off from work that employees can use for vacation, personal days, or sick leave.
Can You Get Vacation Pay While on Workers’ Comp?
The short answer is no. If you’re receiving workers’ comp benefits, you’re not entitled to vacation pay. This is because workers’ comp benefits are meant to replace your lost wages while you’re unable to work due to your injury or illness.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If your employer has a policy that allows you to use your accrued vacation time while on workers’ comp, then you may be able to receive both simultaneously. Additionally, some states have laws that require employers to allow employees to use their accrued vacation time while on workers’ comp.
How Does Using Vacation Time Affect Workers’ Comp Benefits?
If you’re able to use your accrued vacation time while on workers’ comp, it won’t affect your workers’ comp benefits in most cases. This is because vacation pay is considered a separate benefit from workers’ comp.
However, if you receive both vacation pay and temporary disability payments at the same time (which are a type of workers’ comp benefits), the amount of your temporary disability payments may be reduced. This is because temporary disability payments are meant to replace a portion of your lost wages, and vacation pay is considered income.
Conclusion
In most cases, you’re not entitled to vacation pay while on workers’ comp. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and some employers may allow you to use your accrued vacation time while on workers’ comp. If you have any questions about your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits or vacation pay, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can advise you on your rights and options.