Disability and Workers’ Compensation

Short-Term Disability

Can you survive 365 days without income? Hitachi’s disability plans provide income if you are unable to work due to medical disability (including childbirth) through our Short- and Long-Term Disability plans. Short-Term Disability provides income for the first 365 days and then if you remain disabled it transitions to Long-Term Disability which continues until you are no longer disabled or reach your Social Security Normal Retirement Age.

Due to the importance of this benefit, all employees are automatically enrolled in Short-Term Disability when initially hired and again during annual Open Enrollment. Because this coverage is 100% paid by employees, you do have the option of waiving coverage, but you must actively do so during the respective enrollment period. As the disability landscape in the United States is constantly evolving, there are a number of states which mandate enrollment in plans that meet that state’s minimum. If you reside in a region which requires state mandated disability, you will be enrolled in that plan as well as Hitachi’s STD plan. While you still have the option of waiving the Hitachi STD plan, you will remain covered in your state’s mandated disability plan when required by your state of residence. The Hitachi plan provides the following benefit:

• Benefits begin on your eighth day of disability (or on the first day if you are hospitalized).
• 80% of your salary up to a weekly maximum benefit of $4,077.
• 60% of weekly earnings up to a maximum equal to California’s State Disability Insurance Maximum if you have been employed by Hitachi for less than 90 days as of the date of your disability.
• If you live in a state with mandated disability, that plan’s benefits will be coordinated with Hitachi’s STD plan. No state plan has a benefit as high as Hitach’s maximum of $4,077 so you will benefit by being enrolled in both.

Paid Family Leave (PFL)

There are an increasing number of states that are mandating Paid Family Leave. If you live in a state that requires your participation in a state PFL program, the applicable cost of that program will be deducted by payroll per the laws of your state. Your PFL benefit will be coordinated with the Hitachi PFL benefit if you elect Hitachi’s Short Term Disability (STD) plan. If you do not elect STD through Hitachi, your benefit will be limited to what your state mandates.

To qualify for Hitachi’s Paid Family Leave plan, you must be enrolled in Hitachi’s Short-Term Disability coverage.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

When illness or injury makes it impossible for you to work for an extended period of time, LTD coverage begins after you’ve been disabled for one year.

LTD benefits pay 60% of the sum of your base salary plus your bonus benefit, or your benefit target compensation, up to $15,000 per month. If you remain disabled, this benefit would be payable up to your Social Security normal retirement age (depending on your age when you become disabled).

If you are eligible for other sources of income such as Social Security and/or Workers’ Compensation, your LTD benefits will be adjusted so that your maximum monthly benefit from all sources does not exceed the maximum allowed under the plan.

LTD is administered by Lincoln Financial. However, LTD is paid for by Hitachi, so you don’t need to take any action to participate, and the cost of the coverage will be shown as additional income on your paycheck. You’ll have to pay applicable taxes on this income, but if you become disabled, your benefit will not be taxed.

Workers’ Compensation

Our Workers’ Compensation program provides care and income for you if you get hurt or sick at work. All regular Hitachi employees are eligible for this benefit, and you’re automatically enrolled in it starting on your first day of work. With this plan, you’ll receive:

• Appropriate medical treatment.
• Temporary disability payments while you’re receiving medical care and unable to work.
• Compensation for any permanent disabilities due to your injury.
• Vocational rehabilitation services if you are permanently unable, or are likely unable, to do your current job.

What to Do When You’re Injured at Work

Immediately report your injury to your manager, Human Resources (HR) representative or AskNow. HR will send you a form, which needs to be completed in a timely manner and returned to them. HR will then file a report on your behalf to Broadspire, our worker’s compensation administrator. A Broadspire case manager will contact you within 72 hours to talk about next steps.

How Much Does it Cost?

Hitachi pays for the full cost of this program. In addition, all doctors’ bills and hospital expenses will be paid directly by Broadspire. If you do receive a bill, please send it directly to your Broadspire case representative.

How Much Will I Receive?

If you miss work due to a work-related illness or injury, your payments will generally equal 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum. Because this money is tax-free, federal, state, Social Security, and other taxes won’t be deducted from your payments.

If you report your injury right away and a doctor certifies you’re unable to work, you will receive your first payment within two to three weeks. You will continue to receive payments every two weeks after that until your doctor says you can come back to work.

You’re also allowed to use your Hitachi sick time to supplement your benefit so that you maintain your regular paycheck. If you will be out of work for longer than a week, the Hitachi Short-Term Disability (STD) plan may be available to provide additional income while on leave.