DATE: February 20, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: State Disability Insurance for County of Fresno Non-Elected Department Heads
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Application for Elective Coverage of State Disability Insurance on behalf of County of Fresno Non-Elected Department Heads.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will make all County of Fresno Non-Elected Department Heads eligible for disability insurance and paid family leave benefits under the California State Disability Insurance Program (SDI) and require that the associated cost be deducted from their biweekly paycheck.
This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The alternative to the recommended action would be to not apply for SDI for Non-Elected Department Heads, thereby maintaining their ineligibility for the related disability insurance and paid family leave benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no net County cost associated with the recommended action. SDI premiums are paid by employees.
DISCUSSION:
1. The SDI Program
SDI is a partial income replacement insurance plan, administered by the California Employment Development Department (the "EDD") and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI includes the Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave benefit programs. The biweekly cost of the program is currently 1.1% of the eligible employee's gross compensation.
Disability Insurance. Disability Insurance provides up to fifty-two (52) weeks of partial wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Disability Insurance does not provide job protection, only monetary benefits; however, employees may be protected through other federal or state laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act...
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