(But They Definitely Do)
Everyone expects to miss a day or two of work now and then, maybe for a nasty cold, a flat tire, or a surprise visit from the in-laws. But what happens when a few days off turn into a week or even months?
We’re talking about things like surgeries, serious illnesses, pregnancy complications, car accidents, and cancer treatments. This is the kind of stuff that turns life upside down fast. And when someone can’t work, their paycheck stops. But rent? Still due. Bills? Still coming. Groceries? Don’t just magically appear in the fridge.
That’s where short-term disability insurance comes in. It’s like a financial life jacket your employees didn’t realize they needed…until they’re treading water without it.
What It Actually Covers (No Fancy Terms, We Promise)
Short-term disability (aka STD) is also called “paycheck protection insurance,” because that’s what it does. It protects people from having to go without a paycheck if they can’t work. STD is there when employees can’t do their jobs because of a medical problem that didn’t happen at work. Think: torn ACL from a pick-up basketball game, mental health challenges, complicated pregnancies, a disease with an unpronounceable name they picked up while traveling on vacation, or anything that sidelines someone from doing their job.
Work-related injuries? That’s workers’ comp territory. This? This covers the rest.
Most plans replace about 60–70% of someone’s paycheck. Not the full burger, but enough fries to keep everyone fed while they recover. There’s usually a waiting period of about one to two weeks before the money kicks in, and the coverage lasts a few weeks to a few months, depending on the plan.
Why This Matters Now
Look around. Health challenges are way more common than you think. Maybe you’ve seen someone on your team go out for surgery and vanish for six weeks. Or someone had postpartum complications. Or burnout hit them like a freight train. Or your neighbor needed a kidney transplant or your friend’s cousin’s boyfriend got into a car accident and spent six weeks in the hospital recovering.
This isn’t rare stuff. This is life in the modern world.
Without short-term disability, people often rush back to work too soon or try to power through because they literally can’t afford not to. That’s a recipe for burnout, extended illnesses, and more time away later on. And it’s brutal on morale.
If employees can’t physically push themselves back to work, then they go into debt, default on mortgages, have cars repossessed, and struggle to provide even basics for themselves and their families. Savings doesn’t go very far when the paycheck evaporates overnight.
Giving your team this kind of safety net tells them: “You matter. Not just your output.You.” That kind of message goes a long way.
It’s Way More Affordable Than You Think
A lot of employers hear “disability insurance” and immediately imagine dollar signs. But short-term disability is one of the most budget-friendly benefits out there, especially considering what it protects.
You’ve got options:
- You cover it? Awesome for retention.
- They cover it? Still a great benefit to make available for those who value it, at no cost to you.
- Split it? Everyone wins.
And because this benefit is for short-term situations, it is more affordable than many employers think. This covers weeks, not years. It provides enough to cover life’s big “uh-oh” moments, until life and work can resume.
How to Get Your Team to Care
Here’s the thing. Most people don’t know what short-term disability even is. They think it’s for people who fell off a roof or got abducted by aliens. Your job? Make it real.
Here’s how:
- Call it paycheck insurance. Because that’s what it is. “Income insurance” is another term that quickly conveys what you’re talking about.
- Keep it simple. No corporate-speak. Just: “If you get sick or hurt and can’t work, this helps keep most of your paycheck coming while you recover.”
- Use real stories (with names changed!) The examples show how it’s helped someone in a relatable way. If you need help with these, a solid employee benefits broker can help you come up with examples to share.
It’s not about scaring people. It’s about showing them they don’t have to choose between getting better and paying the bills.
The Employer Perks? Oh, They’re Big.
When people know they’re protected, they’re more likely to take care of their health and take the time to actually recover. That means fewer long-term absences, fewer emergencies, and way less chaos for you.
It also tells your team, loud and clear: “We’ve got you.” That builds trust, boosts retention, and helps you stand out in a hiring market where everyone’s trying to be the “cool” employer. If most employers are being honest, they will admit that while providing benefits is something that feels like a nice thing, much of the motivation is creating loyalty. One of the best employee benefits for retention is paycheck protection insurance.
If you’re a smaller business? Even better. Benefits like this give you an edge in the job market. You attract better talent, lose fewer employees, and spend less of your time finding and training replacements, meaning more time you can spend on your business efforts.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis
The worst time to realize your team needs this coverage is when it’s already too late. And trust it’s not a matter of if someone will need it. It’s when.
Short-term disability is simple, affordable, and powerful. It’s not a flashy perk like Free-Taco Tuesdays or casual Fridays but it actually matters when life hits hard and it takes a while to get back up after taking the blow.
So, if you’re ready to add this low-key superhero to your benefits lineup or want to double-check that what you’ve got actually does the job, The Benefit Doctor is here for you. We’ll help you keep it simple, affordable, and custom-fit for your team.
Let’s put together a plan that’s got your employees covered because that’s what having their back really looks like.