STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. NEW JERSEY LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION(PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION)

**Workers' Compensation and Benefits Accrual Ruling** This case involved a dispute between the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections and a law enforcement supervisors' union over whether employees receiving workers' compensation benefits should continue earning sick days and vacation time while on leave. The union wanted to negotiate through arbitration whether workers injured on the job could keep accruing paid time off benefits while collecting workers' compensation. However, the state argued this was not something that could be negotiated or decided through arbitration. **The Court's Decision** The appellate court sided with the state, confirming that employees receiving workers' compensation are considered on "leave without pay" status. This means the accrual of sick days and vacation time during workers' compensation leave is a matter of law, not something unions can negotiate through collective bargaining or arbitration. **What This Means for Workers** This ruling clarifies that when you're injured at work and receiving workers' compensation, you won't continue earning sick days or vacation time during your recovery period. This is a fixed rule that employers and unions cannot change through negotiations. Workers should understand that while they receive workers' compensation benefits for workplace injuries, other employment benefits may be paused during their leave.