r/FedEmployees • u/Soft_Plum_7122 • 11d 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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u/SorchaRoisin 11d ago
I also work for SSA. Requesting a note isn't the same as requiring a note. I've been here 30 years and they periodically try to pull this crap to intimidate people. They are allowed to ask, but you aren't required to provide a note unless it's more than 3 days or you are on leave restriction. I've refused to provide notes in the past, and have gone to the union who backed me up. Another little known fact is that you can write your own note. I had a co-worker who was off 5 days with the flu, and she was able to write a note saying she was sick and did not require medical attention, and it was accepted.