Short term disability insurance is typically paid for by the employee, although in some cases, the employer may offer it as a benefit and cover the cost. Employers may choose to offer short term disability insurance as part of their employee benefits package. In these cases, the employer would be responsible for paying the premiums. However, it is more common for employees to be responsible for paying the premiums themselves. This is often done through payroll deductions, where a portion of the employee's wages is deducted to cover the cost of the insurance. It's important to note that the specifics of who pays for short term disability insurance can vary depending on the employer and the terms of the insurance policy. It's always a good idea to review your employee benefits package or speak with your employer's HR department to understand the details of your coverage and who is responsible for paying for it.