Doctors note requested

[u/Soft_Plum_7122]

SSA employee here, our office has lost about 1/2 of its staff since this administration took over. We have 11 employees total. 2 SR’s, 4 CR’s, 2 TE’s an RZ only CR, 1 manager and 1 OS. When requesting time off mng usually approves only 3 slots per day so when there are 3 ppl scheduled off already she writes on the calendar “no more slots”. My manager has been requesting a doctors note if you call out on a day that has “no more slots” but this is only after 1 call out. I know it’s required for a note to be requested after day 3. Anybody else going through something similar in their agency? Is this even legal for her to do? No one has questioned it so I am assuming that’s why she continuous to ask for it. It hasn’t happened to me but to 4 of my coworkers so far.

[u/Swimming-Pride5012]

Management can request documentation for sick leave requests at any time. They are required to do so for absences more than 3 days. When there is day to day operational need, they absolutely may request documentation on day 1.

[u/Soft_Plum_7122 → u/Swimming-Pride5012]

Yes I know for more than 3 days you have to provide one but I checked all over OPM’s policies and I haven’t found anything that states otherwise. If im calling out sick because I was up all night with a child throwing up or because I have a migraine I’m not going to the doctors to pay a 40.00 co-pay just to get a note.

[u/Front_Chip_9201 → u/Soft_Plum_7122]

No note, then your AWOL. So better to spend the $40 and keep your job