OM 8.1.1 Statutory Benefits

Table of Contents:

Policy Statement

Policy Purpose:

The University is committed to providing employees with benefits; which includes the requirements set forth by federal and state law for statutory benefits; Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, State Income Tax, Non-Occupational Disability Benefits and Unemployment Insurance.

Definition of Terms:

Eligible employees: Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees

Social Security: Taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) are composed of the old age, survivors, and disability insurance taxes, also known as social security taxes, and the hospital insurance tax, also known as Medicare taxes. Different rates apply for these taxes; collected as payroll deductions.

Workers’ Compensation: Workers' compensation or “workers' comp” is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to eligible employees who are injured or who become ill on-the-job in the course and scope of their employment, as the “excusive remedy” and sole recourse for employees against their employer for such injuries or illnesses. 

State Income Tax:  Employees working outside of NYS are generally subject to income tax withholding in the worked-in state as well as in NYS. 

Non-Occupational Disability Benefits: A form of insurance, providing disability benefits coverage to employees who experience off-the-job injuries or illnesses and who are not able to work as a result.  Eligible employees will receive cash benefits to replace, in part, wages lost due to such injuries or illnesses that do not arise out of or in the course and scope of their employment.

Unemployment Insurance: A type of New York State provided insurance that pays money to eligible individuals on a weekly basis when they lose their job and meet certain eligibility requirements.

Policy Statement:

Social Security: The old age, survivors, and disability insurance taxes, also known as social security taxes, cover substantially all employees. The University matches the legally required employee contributions. While employed, all employees will contribute to social security as payroll tax deductions.

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Workers’ Compensation: Workers' compensation or “workers' comp” is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to eligible employees who are injured or who become ill on-the-job in the course and scope of their employment, as the “excusive remedy” and sole recourse for employees against their employer for such injuries or illnesses. The University pays full cost of workers’ compensation as required by New York State Law.

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State Income Tax: Employees working outside of NYS are generally subject to income tax withholding in the worked-in state as well as in NYS. 

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Non-Occupational Disability Benefits: A form of insurance, providing disability benefits coverage to employees who experience off-the-job injuries or illnesses and who are not able to work as a result. Eligible permanent, seasonal, and part-time employees receive wage payment at University cost for weekly benefits to replace, in part, earnings lost because of injury or illness that do not arise out of or in the course and scope of their employment. Other temporary employees (those working more than twenty-five (25) days per year) receive benefits in accordance with New York State Disability Law but the University will make no wage payment. Faculty are not eligible for coverage under the New York State Disability Law. 

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Unemployment Insurance: New York State provided insurance that pays money to eligible individuals on a weekly basis when they lose their job and meet certain eligibility requirements. All employees have coverage under the New York State Unemployment Insurance Law. Eligibility for unemployment benefits requires that former employees are unemployed through no fault of their own, are ready, willing and able to work, but cannot find work.

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Procedures:

Social Security: Automatic payroll tax deduction for all applicable employees.

Workers’ Compensation: If an employee gets injured or becomes ill while at work performing work duties, they must report any work-related injury or illness to their supervisor immediately or as soon as otherwise possible. After reporting the incident to your supervisor, submit a report of the incident within 24 hours to EH&S via Clarkson’s Online Personal Injury/Illness Report Form. Failure to report an injury or illness may result in disciplinary action.

Reported injuries and illnesses will be reviewed by EH&S and Human Resources. Human Resources will be in contact with the injured/ill employee to discuss other potentially applicable benefits, as appropriate, and to provide the necessary documentation needed.  

State Income Tax:  Employees are encouraged to consult their tax preparer concerning how this policy may affect their individual tax situation. For questions about paychecks, please email payroll@clarkson.edu.  

Non-Occupational Disability Benefits: Employees should contact human resources by emailing clarksonhr@clarkson.edu to discuss options available for non-occupational sickness or conditions that result from injury or disease that is not job related.  

Unemployment Insurance: Upon leaving the University, it is the individual’s responsibility to contact NYS Unemployment insurance to set up a claim by phone 1-888-209-8124 or online at ny.gov/services/get-unemployment-assistance. To begin sign in or create a NY.gov ID account and follow the instructions to file a claim. 

Related Information:

Human Resources
Phone: 315-268-6497
Fax: 315-268-4437
Email: clarksonhr@clarkson.edu

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History

Revised November 1986

Revised September 1993

Revised May 2008

Revised March 2023

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