Short-term Illness / Sick Leave
The Rehabilitation Consultant (RC) oversees your short term illness benefit with the goal of safe and timely return to work. The RC coordinates your return to work and assists in the development of appropriate modified work schedules.
Fundamental to the success of the program, is the Attending Physician's Report and Application for Sick Leave Benefits - NSGEU or Attending Physician's Report and Application for Sick Leave Benefits - NSNU form. These forms (APR / ASLB) serve as your application for benefits and must be submitted by the sixth working day of time lost.
Staff with benefits through Health Association Nova Scotia (formally Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations - NSAHO) will have the option of accessing the Early Assistance and Support for Employee - EASE program, which is coordinated by Health Association Nova Scotia (formally Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations - NSAHO) and administered by an independent rehabilitation company.
Illness / Injury Non-Work Related
If you have a non-work related illness / injury, you are advised to see your family physician.
When employees miss work due to illness or a non-work related injury, proof of illness from a physician is required before short term illness leave will be paid to the employee. The timeframe for when this proof is required is related to whether an employee is full-time or part-time.
Full-time Employees
Attending Physician's Report and Application for Sick Leave Benefits - NSGEU or Attending Physician's Report and Application for Sick Leave Benefits - NSNU is required for absences of at least 37.5 consecutive missed hours of work.
Part-time Employees
Are required to submit forms based on what their part-time designation is. It is a pro-rated calculation of hours. (i.e. for someone who works 50 per cent this means after 18.75 hours of missed time) These forms must be submitted Occupational Health as soon as 37.5 work hours has been missed (and less if part-time based on the pro-rated hours.). Please call the Occupational Health if you do not understand the process or if you are having difficulty getting your form completed by a physician.
Process
Once the Attending Physician Form is received in Occupational Health, you are assigned an Occupational Health Rehabilitation Consultant (RC). The RC will be contacting you throughout your STI. When you are able to return to work, your RC assesses your situation and works with you, your physician and your Manager to develop a modified work plan (if required) to bring you back to work in a safe and timely fashion. In the best interest of your overall wellbeing, there is an emphasis on returning you to work as soon as you are able to do some aspects of your job.
To learn more about the benefits you are entitled to as a result of illness, see the brochure "When Illness Happens, What Benefits Are Available". Be aware that these benefits are only available to those who are entitled through their employment agreement. Check with your manager if you are unsure as to whether you are eligible for these benefits.
Managers can notify Occupational Health of an employee's absence by completeting the Notification to Occupational Health of Employee Illness / Injury Absensces form.