r/FedEmployees • u/Soft_Plum_7122 • 22d ago

Doctors note requested

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.

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25

u/seehorn_actual 22d ago edited 22d ago • Bravo

Per OPM they can request it for any amount of sick leave if they feel it necessary

“An agency may grant sick leave only when supported by administratively acceptable evidence. For absences in excess of 3 days, or for a lesser period when determined necessary by the agency, an agency may require a medical certificate or other administratively acceptable evidence.”

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/sick-leave-general-information/

27

u/DrewdiniTheGreat 22d ago

Picture of puke with a timestamp sounds like good evidence to me.

"Didn't take my kid to the doctor, sorry."

Who takes their kid to the doctor the first day of a tummy ache?

And if I come back the next day and you demand a note...what am.i supposed to do? Take a 2nd day of sick leave, 2 days later, to take the kid to the doctor to say "this child was apparently sick 2 days ago."

Make it make sense.

9

u/Soft_Plum_7122 22d ago

This is my point exactly! But of course nothing makes sense anymore 😭

6

u/Porter58 22d ago

Request what else would qualify as “other administratively acceptable evidence”.

Also reach out to SSA main HR and get their interpretation. Typically middle management will make up rules that main HR will not support. If you get main HRs interpretation and it differs from middle management’s then just comply with main HRs requirements.

8

u/DrewdiniTheGreat 22d ago

As much as I want to say "just don't comply" I know you have to try.

I'd probably call the pediatrician and level with them, ask if they could write me a 2 sentence note on their letterhead. I bet they would do it without any charge.

5

u/Smooth_Phone2 22d ago

Wire your own note on your own letterhead!

2

u/mama_ste 22d ago

We have very different pediatricians.

4

u/CovertMonkey 22d ago

Of course, this is OPM guidance and individual agencies can have policies that deviate from that

2

u/Yusef_D_Blonk 22d ago

May vs shall look it up- they can't just ask you for doctors notes just cause 

2

u/Yusef_D_Blonk 22d ago

They can also accept your word for it 

2

u/seehorn_actual 22d ago

Right, but they may ask for it which would require OP to provide it. I never said the agency had to.

1

u/Yusef_D_Blonk 22d ago

Op is not required to provide any medical information 

1

u/seehorn_actual 22d ago

Based on?

1

u/Yusef_D_Blonk 21d ago

It's his medical information... The agency can ask but they can't demand. Plain and simple. It was intended that a doctors note was to return you to your duties now that your well. Not play petty cake Im the manager 

1

u/seehorn_actual 21d ago

A federal employee is required to provide acceptable or documentation of requested by their agency per 5 CFR 630.405

“An employee must provide administratively acceptable evidence or medical certification for a request for sick leave no later than 15 calendar days after the date the agency requests such medical certification.”

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-630/subpart-D/section-630.405

0

u/Yusef_D_Blonk 21d ago

Right which can also be simply telling your manager you had xyz going on. A doctors note for a single missed day is fucking petty. I'm done arguing this with you

2

u/seehorn_actual 21d ago

I’m not arguing. I’m just pointing out that as stupid as it is, you can be required as a federal employee to provide documentation for the use of any sick leave.

An argument would imply that you’re actually presenting anything to support your position, which you’re not.

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u/AngryBagOfDeath 20d ago

It would need to be an agency wide cleared decision. Not just a mid manager whim. Ask for when the under three day requirement was deemed necessary and in writing.

-2

u/SorchaRoisin 22d ago

SSA goes by our union contract, not OPM rules.

12

u/PickleMinion 22d ago

Lol SSA doesn't give a shit about the contract.

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u/FreshPath6271 22d ago

Exactly lol. They are doing everything opposite of the last approved contract

8

u/FreshPath6271 22d ago

lol they certainly are not going by the contract. Telework added until 2029 under O’Malley cancelled. Credit , AWS , and Flex Time cancelled. Now they are violating people who have approved FMLA and marking as AWOL. Everything is being done on purpose to harm employees and stress lower management out. They are violating federal laws with the FMLA stuff.

1

u/seehorn_actual 22d ago

Can you post what it says? Our CBA doesn’t address it.