How Types of Leave Work Together

These programs may apply to the same period of time. Having more than one program does not necessarily mean you receive additional weeks away from work.

FMLA and Voluntary Short-Term Disability

FMLA is not the same as Voluntary Short-Term Disability. This is one of the most important distinctions to understand:

• FMLA provides job and benefit protection. It does not provide pay.
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability may provide income replacement. It does not provide the same job protection as FMLA.

If you qualify for both, they generally run concurrently. For example, if you are out of work for eight weeks because of your own qualifying medical condition and are approved for both FMLA and Voluntary Short-Term Disability, those eight weeks may count toward your FMLA entitlement while you receive Voluntary Short-Term Disability benefits for the applicable period.

Voluntary Short-Term Disability does not give you an additional eight weeks after FMLA ends. The programs serve different purposes and can apply during the same absence.

FMLA and PTO

FMLA is unpaid, but BAYADA requires you to first use your accrued sick, vacation, and holiday time while you are on FMLA. That paid time counts toward your FMLA leave and does not extend your FMLA entitlement.

For example, if you are approved for FMLA and use two weeks of accrued paid time during your absence, those two weeks still count as part of your FMLA leave.

If you also receive Voluntary Short-Term Disability or state disability or paid family and medical leave benefits, the use of PTO may affect those payments. PTO may reduce, offset, delay, or otherwise affect your benefit, depending on the applicable program. Contact the applicable program to understand how PTO affects your payments.

These are not necessarily separate leaves. If you have a qualifying medical condition and are eligible for FMLA and Voluntary Short-Term Disability, those programs may apply to the same period of absence.

Maternity Leave Is Not the Same as Voluntary Short-Term Disability

If you are giving birth, your leave may involve more than one type of leave.

Your Medical Leave may cover the period when you are unable to work because of pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery. If you elected Voluntary Short-Term Disability coverage and meet the plan requirements, you may also qualify for Voluntary Short-Term Disability benefits during the portion of your leave when pregnancy or childbirth prevents you from working.

Your Parental Leave is different. It provides time to bond with your newborn, newly adopted child, or foster child.

For maternity leave, you could have Medical Leave + Voluntary Short-Term Disability + FMLA during the medical portion of your leave, followed by or overlapping with Parental Leave + FMLA for bonding, depending on your eligibility and the applicable programs.

Parental Leave does not become Voluntary Short-Term Disability simply because the leave follows childbirth. Voluntary Short-Term Disability applies when you have a qualifying disability that prevents you from working.

State Leave and FMLA

Some states provide disability, paid family, or paid medical leave benefits. If you work in a state with an applicable program, you may qualify for state benefits at the same time as other leave programs.

If your state program provides income replacement and you also qualify for FMLA, FMLA may provide job and benefit protection while the state program provides payment.

You should still file for FMLA if you may be eligible. Receiving state benefits does not replace the need to establish FMLA protection.

Intermittent Leave Works Differently

Not every leave is one continuous block of time. If your leave is approved as intermittent, you may take leave in separate periods when you need it, rather than being away continuously. For example, you may need occasional time away for medical appointments or treatment.

For intermittent FMLA, MetLife tracks your approved leave through your claim. Each time you need to use intermittent FMLA, you must report the time to both your manager and your MetLife claim manager. You cannot work during the time you are using intermittent leave.

A Simple Way to Think About Your Leave

Your leave may involve three different questions:

Am I allowed to be away from work?
Your applicable leave program may provide the time away and, if applicable, job protection.

Will I receive income while I am away?
PTO, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, state disability, or paid family and medical leave may provide pay, depending on your eligibility.

Will my benefits continue?
Benefit continuation depends on the type of leave and whether your leave is benefit-protected.

These questions are related, but they are not the same thing. You may have one program providing job protection, another providing income replacement, and another determining how your benefits continue during the same absence.

Example: How Types of Leave May Work Together

If you need eight weeks away from work because of a serious medical condition and you meet eligibility requirements, your eight-week absence could include the following:

• FMLA protects your job and eligible benefits
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability may replace part of your income
• PTO may provide pay as required under BAYADA's leave process and may affect disability payments
• State Leave may provide income replacement if you qualify under your state's program

Those programs may overlap. They are not necessarily eight weeks of one program followed by eight weeks of another.

Important Note

Do not assume that one type of leave automatically gives you another type of leave or benefit. FMLA, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, PTO, parental leave, and state leave have different eligibility requirements and purposes.

When you report a leave, MetLife and BAYADA Leave Management can determine which programs may apply to your situation and what steps you need to take.

Need Help?

MetLife — Leave and Claim Questions
Call 877-638-8262 for questions about your leave, including whether your leave has been approved and when you can expect payment, if applicable.

BAYADA Leave Management — Leave Program Support
Email LeaveManagement@bayada.com for additional assistance understanding your leave options, leave requirements, or BAYADA’s leave process.