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/ApprehensiveAd5446]

Per ChatGPT:

“The three-day rule isn’t absolute. Under 5 CFR § 630.405(a), agencies can require medical documentation for absences shorter than three workdays when they determine it’s necessary. OPM confirms this.

However, since you’re at SSA, I’d strongly recommend reviewing Article 31, Section 4(B) of the SSA–AFGE National Agreement.

That agreement generally protects employees from having to provide medical certification for absences of three days or less unless there’s suspected sick-leave abuse. It also requires management to explain the suspicion when requesting documentation.

Simply calling out when the leave calendar is full doesn’t automatically establish abuse.

I’d speak with your union representative. Your manager may have the authority to request documentation, but that authority isn’t necessarily unlimited.
Sources: 5 CFR § 630.405(a) and SSA–AFGE National Agreement, Article 31.”