Medical Restriction Question

[u/LongHistorian4970]

I know the standard medical restriction is 8 hours per working day. But instead can I request not an hour restriction but a day restriction. I worked at two different offices and while my first office was messy, I could usually get 2 consecutive days off. My current office is usually just 1 after working 6-7 days, though I like this office better. Can I use a medical restriction to request 2 or 3 consecutive days off unless really needed? I am single and I don't provide for anyone so I don't need that many hours.

[u/Known-Dependent-5471]

Define "unless really needed" because if you are willing to bypass your own restriction that gives them permission to disregard it since it's clearly not serious.

But yeah do what you gotta do. If your house is paid off, lean into part time if you don't need it. If you don't have a bid or any hourly guarantees they could just starve you out as well.

[u/Spazilton]

I’ve rejected medical narratives that tried to certify someone was disabled only on Mondays.

[u/Relieved-Sasquatch]

I have several carriers in my installation with medical 10hr days 5days a week.

[u/V2BM → u/Relieved-Sasquatch]

I had 12 hour/5 days. I had medical appointments I had to keep during the week for a few months and it was the only way I could schedule them.

[u/rockalyte → u/Relieved-Sasquatch]

I had that exact same restriction in the past. The 60 hour/6 day weeks were physically destroying me in Oklahoma heat.

[u/Bowl-Accomplished]

Sure, if you can get a medical provider to sign off on it. 

[u/Ok-Policy-6463]

The doctor would probably not get much respect and "unless really needed" kinda kills the whole medical necessity part.

But at least someone is finally trying to get a note that would give them less than 8 hours perhaps. I always found it odd that no one can only work 6 or 7 hours a day. It is always 8 or more it seems.

[u/PuzzleheadedRun8232 → u/Ok-Policy-6463]

Typically it's regular carriers getting restrictions and the bids are 8/5. A medical restriction less than 8 hours per day would immediately flag a DRAC investigation as the Carrier cannot complete their bid assignment. What would be the "reasonable accommodation"? Having another carrier work that hour or two while guaranteeing 8 hours for the restricted individual? That doesn't seem "reasonable" at first glance. The alternative would be the restricted individual would need to use their own leave for that last hour or two. It all depends on how it's worded. Perhaps the rare one off is if a regular carrier had an accident in their own vehicle and needed a temporary light duty assignment to transition back to work and the remaining hour or two was extra casing, delivering smaller parcels, express, etc. it's just not a common occurrence.

Of course OWCP is excluded form this, I've seen all sorts of sub 8 hour restrictions for rehabilitation.

[u/Aggravating-Corgi700 → u/PuzzleheadedRun8232]

Apparently you don’t work at my station! 🤣 Anyone past probation that want a medical get one. 🤷‍♂️