Greenwood board shortens short-term disability waiting period, adds paid parental leave for childbirth

Greenwood city staff presented and the board approved changes to the city’s short-term disability plan on May 18 that will reduce the waiting period for new hires and expand paid parental leave for childbirth.

Lisa (city staff) told the board the proposal would move the eligibility period for short-term disability from six months to 30 days after hire to promote financial stability for employees who experience a medical event soon after starting work. The change also includes paid parental leave for childbirth: 100% of salary for six weeks or eight weeks depending on the type of delivery; after that period employees would transition to elected short-term benefit levels.

Staff said the carrier now makes medical compensability determinations and that the plan amendment will also go to the city council for any required review of economic impact. The board approved the change at the meeting and staff said implementation details and medical determinations will be handled by the carrier and human-resources staff.

Board members asked procedural questions about the carrier’s role in determinations and were told the carrier will review records and approve the appropriate length of benefit time. No specific fiscal estimate was provided during the meeting; the item’s economic impact will be reviewed by council as part of the process.