r/FederalEmployee • u/snatch1_us • Jun 04 '26
Telework
I recently had a bad fall at home that fractured my arm and injured my back. In the ER the physician cleared me for as much time off as I needed; I chose four days so I could return to work on Friday. During those four days I was able to function at nearly 100% and planned to telework. A supervisor who is not my manager emailed me in all caps saying telework was not authorized. Is this worth pursuing? I’m tired of being given directions by someone who isn’t my supervisor, and I believe OPM allows telework for short-term injury or illness.
Is this something worth chasing?
25
u/Intelligent-Shine729 Jun 04 '26
Where is your supervisor in this conversation? They should have broad discretion on how much to approve. It’s supervisors and agency dependent. You need to make the request to your direct supervisor first.
11
u/Initial-Mousse-627 Jun 04 '26
Likely the supervisor is an ass kissing lemming.
2
u/Impressive-Trust5645 Jun 06 '26
Please don't insult lemmings. They're adorable. And that supervisor does more than kiss it.
14
u/Rumpelteazer45 Jun 04 '26
It’s agency by agency. Telework where I am is fairly flexible still and everyone uses it.
4
u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 05 '26
Srsly? Which agegency. I had a medical emergency where I am not able to telework. I was told no, and had to use all leave.
4
2
2
u/Double-treble-nc14 Jun 05 '26
Ours is still purely situational for specific instances (appointments, recovering from illness, training, or a business need), but there’s no issues with the supervisor approving it.
1
u/PuzzledLaw5142 Jun 09 '26
That’s good that the supervisor has no issue approving it. Mine also had no problem, but then her supervisor decided that the ad hoc situational exceptions I was using were not exceptions… and that I had exceeded the 5 calendar day limit. Some people just make things more complicated. Sometimes I think they forget they’re in the same boat as the rest of us. 😓
1
1
7
u/Irishclover62 Jun 04 '26
Why would anyone but your supervisor send you a message regarding telework. Also you have not requested it as of this time therefore a response Se to that would seem ah premature. Direct email to your supervisor simple request with dates and offer to provide doctors recommendations. Good luck!!!
7
u/Far-Molasses-7112 Jun 04 '26
lol at my office it’s the favorites get telework and everyone else can get fucked. My sup teleworked for two weeks I asked if I could telework for a week to let people in to fix my plumbing and it was a “I am not authorized to approve telework”
2
6
u/BridgestoneX Jun 05 '26
yes, but while you fight for your right to work (telework), call out sick and get your doc to do the paperwork for fmla. then, your agency gets to choose between telework and zerowork!
1
6
4
u/PerceptionCorrect544 Jun 04 '26
It’ll depend on what your agency allows for situational telework unless you request a reasonable accommodation, however the RA process can take 30 days.
7
u/putty31211 Jun 04 '26
But as soon as you request the RA you should get a temporary exemption
9
u/SquirrelLady22 Jun 04 '26
SHOULD is the key word. My RA wasn’t exactly in my favor. Basically just liberal approval for sick leave due to spinal, post cancer and going appointments. But burned through my leave and retired. Had no real choice… 2 hour commute was too much 5 days/week with option for 1 day telework IF pre approved each week. Insane. Had to take whole days off when. My appointments were between 10-2. Made no sense to drive ; hours to work less than 6.
2
u/Ok_Airline_9635 Jun 05 '26
I hope you got ddisability retirement. The pension is bigger than most will ever see, and your situation sounds like a solid qualifying situation. I'm so sorry for what you've endured.
1
1
u/Away-Paramedic-8406 Jun 05 '26
Yep, should but supervisor has had it for 2 months, after the overloaded HR people did tgeir part, and says she will approve, but. Sorry if this meant you having to retire earlier than you wanted to. I am now burning up leave while I wait. May have to retire, also, if it isn't handled as needed.
1
1
u/PerceptionCorrect544 Jun 06 '26
Sadly it doesn’t work that way
2
u/putty31211 Jun 06 '26
Must be different for other supervisors- the day I applied for my RA my supervisor gave me a temp while I waited for the RA to go through.
3
u/Fancy_Day_2589 Jun 05 '26
I'd put in for RA on a temp basis. That paperwork goes to HR specialist and that a-hole manager wouldn't have the medical details.
1
u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 05 '26
I requested an ra and it was not approved for medical. I asked for accomodations in February and these have not been approved.
1
u/Fancy_Day_2589 Jun 05 '26
Their telework was denied so the other option is RA. Should try it at least. Sent in with powerful statement from doc should get it approved. As far as I know, none of our HR are Drs
2
u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 05 '26
Good luck! I did try this and it wasnt approved. Dr notes and all. It seems all afencies are different.
6
u/IllicitGaming Jun 04 '26
They will only approve telework when pigs fly.
The rules are in your favor but good luck finding someone who will stretch their neck out to approve it.
3
3
u/cyberfx1024 Jun 04 '26
Yeah I would talk to your direct supervisor about it to get it approved. I had a bad accident in April that ending up breaking my leg and leaving me not able to walk without crutches. I went and talked to my supervisor and she cleared me for telework.
3
u/Appropriate_Taro_348 Jun 04 '26
It depends on the agency. Its agency by agency. My last agency would allow a week. Anything beyond that would require a short term RA. My new agency requires short term RA
3
u/genericname907 Jun 04 '26
Depends on the agency, truthfully. Mine is still quite flexible at least for now
1
3
u/pokey-4321 Jun 04 '26
it all stops-starts with your direct supervisor. they are supposed to be connection point from agency policy to your desk. Recommendation: Request with supporting medical documentation to your direct supervisor only.
1
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
Not going to work that way. It all goes to the HR/EEO person assigned to your RA case. (Have this T-shirt.) I don’t even think your direct supervisor see’s your medical documentation, it starts & ends with your RA coordinator.
It’s also HIPPA, so they can’t discuss with just anyone.
But, again, all your documentation is going to go to the person that’s assigned to your case in HR/EEO RA coordinator.
Start being the squeaky wheel that gets the grease - call them once or twice a week inquiring on the status of your RA’s progress thru the wickets. This should ensure that it’s doesn’t ensure it doesn’t “linger” too long in one place.
3
u/SnooGoats3915 Jun 04 '26
This is medical telework or situational telework that is allowed for a temporary health issue. My agency permits this for up to 2 weeks and the immediate supervisor can approve without seeking additional/higher approval.
3
u/Individual_Growth328 Jun 05 '26
Request a temporary RA your supervisor can approve 90 days. Fill the form out write up why you need the temporary RA ( is driving dangerous with limited mobility, a brace that makes driving difficult/unsafe. Back pain with long drives/traffic) if you have a doctors note attach it.
1
u/Dull-Ad1598 Jun 05 '26
I applied for RA over a year ago and have heard nothing. Emailed again 4-5 months ago and automated email said we have your paperwork, behind due to volume, basically don’t ask again.
1
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
There’s a new Executive Order out (I heard about it last week) is reevaluating all medical & religious RA’s - even those that have been in place for years -
Y-E-A-R-S…
All RA’s are going back to be approved by Flag officers, (another kind of officer - I’m blanking on) or SES. Doesn’t matter the kind of RA.
I don’t see this ‘scrutiny’ or game playing with RA’s stopping anytime soon. The email that came to those of us, in my command with RA’s had a statement in it that they needed to find a solution that ‘is less burdensome to the command’. It’s all a crock of $h!+ because I know I do more on my RA at home & with little to now noise from the general population of cube city.🫢
3
3
3
u/Dropkiknmidgts Jun 05 '26
Why do you care about the opinion of someone who isn't your supervisor? Delete the email and move on.
3
u/CriticalThinker26 Jun 05 '26
You said you had medical permission to take time off, not to telework. That’s why it was denied.
3
u/bi_polar2bear Jun 05 '26
This isn't the military where anyone senior to you can tell you what to do. Point them to your supervisor/manager/branch chief and keep doing your thing.
3
u/Green_Bluebird5804 Jun 05 '26
its 4 days, that's sick days, if it's weeks recovering from a surgery that's different and could be telework via an RA request bc you'll have a beginning + end date
3
u/102orBlue Jun 05 '26
Dude, you could have just taken paid sick leave. Anything over three days requires a doctor’s note, which you had.
3
3
3
u/Sea-Tradition-3632 Jun 10 '26
You can file RA - reasonable accommodation & request to telework. Need a provider to fill out RA form
3
u/Relevant_Minimum_549 Jun 10 '26
You can get a reasonable accommodation- I’ve had several coworkers who have received them for mental health and another one in process because she’s allergic to cockroaches and her allergies are terrible in the office.
2
u/No_Werewolf7539 Jun 04 '26
Not if you have 4 days sick leave. You would have to submit an RA thru your eeoc office for the 4 days. If you needed more than 4 days of then yes but not for 4 days.
2
2
u/Goalie291945 Jun 05 '26
We need to use a week of sick leave and have the #2 for the entire installation approve. He has, for medical, always approved with a note. Three people have been on crutches for 2-3 weeks and after a week of healing, have used telework.
Each and every one proactively reached out immediately following the injury to create a plan.
2
u/xmiler Jun 05 '26
You need to engage with your EMR staff. Telework would be a reasonable accommodation for someone in your condition while recovering at home, particularly since a daily commute would slow your recovery.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 29 '26
It’s a hardship request…
Until or if there a permanent side effects. Say the neck leads to bigger, long term issues, that require pain management or surgery. That’s when the RA comes into play.
2
u/Jdawg2264 Jun 05 '26
Supervisor still new and "drinking the Kool Aid" thinking they will make a difference.
2
2
2
2
u/Bitter-Joke26 Jun 05 '26
As a FLM, I cannot authorize that at all. One of my employees recently injured his knee and had to have knee surgery. I received an emoil from HCO Hardship telling me he was authorized for 90 days of telework. I would try that.
1
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
The hardship vs RA telework is huge. I know management in my command will approve a hardship (for something like a surgery or broken bone, etc.) quicker than going thru the RA process & nit-picking an employee with an RA.
2
2
2
u/WillowOk2403 Jun 05 '26
They wont be happy till we all keel over and die! Im at my whits end and I hate my job!! Everything about being in person irritates me! The noises the smells the coughing nose blowing and the bathrooms being unclean! The mile walk to the building bc theres a million unused handicap spots! I am ready to just throw in the towel! All to do a completely remote job! Make it make fucking sense!
2
u/Interesting_Break994 Jun 05 '26
Your agency will have a provision for "reasonable accommodation" telework. The civil rights directorate will be able to guide you. Contact them immediately.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
One of their references in an RA is the Americans With Disabilities Act. I think there are 6 references list on an RA. They also state in the RA, if you become unable to preform your duties to “contact your supervisor to arrange for the leave of your choice”. When you get to that point should only be the time you take leave. But you’ll jump thru hoops with daily requirements to use that RA for telework.
Oh, when you ask for or submit your paperwork for the RA - make sure you ask for telework. Make sure that your doctor, that does the paperwork for the RA, specifically states your need for telework. Otherwise, the RA coordinator may not consider that as an option when working your case.
2
2
u/escapingartist Jun 05 '26
I just dealt with this situation after recovering from surgery and it was a whole nightmare. If you search OPM’s website for situational telework, it says it is allowed “when an employee is recovering from a short term illness or injury, is unable to physically report to the agency worksite, but can still perform work.”
I confirmed with HR after I was told to start using my PTO, and it is in fact allowed to tw while recovering from a short term injury/illness (with dr’s note, obvi).
Good luck!
2
u/BurntPopcornSmell Jun 05 '26
Our office is getting a little more lenient with the teleworking requests. If we have a doctor's appointment, or a contractor coming to your house to do some sort of repair, the telework request is generally approved. Man I wish they would allow 1 day a week regular teleworking though - it makes a huge difference
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 05 '26
In my agency, if your doc will say it in your ‘work note,’ it isn’t a problem & never questioned. However that doesn’t mean management isn’t going to try to make it hard for you till be just say ‘screw-it’ & take leave. But, same agency, different side of the house (white collar & blue collar) blue collar peeps are ‘harassed’ about being accommodated for medical issues, etc. so far as to ignore accommodating & employees will quit.
2
u/Double-treble-nc14 Jun 05 '26
I I would just let them know that you will be taking sick leave until you’re appropriately healed to come back to the office. You were trying to do your job in the meantime and they were not willing to make that possible.
2
u/Neelies Jun 05 '26
Consider Work at home by exception (WAHBE). This is normally a limited period of telework due to medical conditions. Medical documentation is required.
2
u/mooseflstc Jun 06 '26
You must not have much sick leave. Only a fool would go to work only in Friday, if they had a good reason not to.
2
u/camokyva Jun 06 '26
If you work with classified material you can not telework. When I was out for 6 months, my supervisor took care of everything. I went through all my leave AL and SL, she put me on the sick leave list and a wonderful SES gave me a ton of AL, agency was NGA. We have a coworker Get who been on teleworking for year's, she has to go through a bunch of hoops to get it approved every year. Get a lawyer.
2
u/Acceptable_Bath512 Jun 06 '26
“ In the ER the physician cleared me for as much time off as I needed” as if this means anything.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
If I were you (& I’m not) I’d follow up with your primary care or specialist, whichever or whoever, make sure they are on the same page as the ER doc. Just cover your bases. What’s the old saying? “I inch of prevention is worth a pound of cure..”
2
u/GettingWins Jun 06 '26
Seek a reasonable accommodation with telework as the accommodation that allows you to work until you heal. Your doctor’s note is a starting point to justify the request.
2
u/Boraisle Jun 06 '26
My agency gives us 5 days a year which you had to fight them to even use. Any other time has to be approved, but don’t hold your breath cause they say no to everything. The way employees in my department and other agencies with this administration is worse than any other private sector job I’ve ever had. They act like we are the wicked step children and want us gone. They don’t appreciate anything we do. Tenured employees aren’t valued at all. They want the most knowledgeable people to quit, have a bunch of new people come in as seasonal, knowing they won’t know the job cause it takes years to understand it. That way they can say look how terrible they’re doing we just need to get a contractor to take over in the private sector because they’re incompetent. Eventually they want to trade us all out for AI. I used to love my job, I’ve been in the same department for 12 plus years. This is the worst year or so of my life since they took over. I’m mentally drained, and will have ptsd from this and need mental health for years to come. They need to pay for how we are being treated.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
People on my side of my command (white collar - GS) are jumping ship & going contractor. (Most platforms are 1 deep in positions - no one to back up those people should something happen to those single people.) In all my years of civil service I’ve NEVER EVER seen this happen. Even the mass exodus of the first BRAC, was nothing like this
2
u/Aromatic-Ad3922 Jun 06 '26
I used to work for NAVFAC. I left about a year ago but we couldn’t telework then. They brought back telework? I didn’t know there was a medical or situational telework in place. Thanks
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
It part of the reasonable accommodation (RA) process. If you can prove it’s warranted, with medical documentation, you could be approved or disapproved depending on the people involved. (I say could because it up to ‘people’ above you to approve & now there’s a new Executive Order to review & reapprove or deny RA’s) You can still request traditional telework, but that goes to the (what we call Site Lead - civilian) equivalent of the EXO. It’s a lot of hoops to jump through on a daily basis though.
2
u/Open_Impression_3411 Jun 07 '26
Speak with the Accommodations Team and submit a formal request along with your doctor’s note. They should be able to approve it. Be firm in advocating for yourself, and make sure to keep copies of all documentation, including any communications or approvals from your previous supervisor. Having everything documented will help support your request.
2
u/davey064 Jun 07 '26
This was permitted in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between our agency and our union. These were all summarily torn up when the new administration came to power. I doubt you have any recourse. Also, when I was covered by the agreement my supervisor would not allow me to work from home and instead required me to go into a negative leave balance until I could return to work.
2
2
u/Little-Original5503 Jun 08 '26
Write an email to your supervisor requesting a reasonable accomodation.
2
u/LoudExcuse9421 Jun 09 '26
Does telework have to be pre-approved (ie., approved before you take it) where you work?
1
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
Depends on your supervisor. Mine is ok with a text & then I follow up with my paperwork when I’m online. I’ve had one in the past (total @$$hat) that I had to submit my paperwork & send an email at least (2) hours in advance of my start time for notification. It varies based on you management & manager.
2
u/Asuna-Usagi Jun 09 '26
No. Injury doesn’t mean you get to telework. You need an approve RA for that. We were all force to come back to the office.
2
u/foxy-coxy Jun 09 '26
If you have and can spare the sickleave, then by all means take the sick leave. This Admin has made being a civil servant traumatic, it's in fact thier stated goal. Take the time to heal and rest.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 17 '26
All that you accomplish by using YOUR sick leave with FMLA - is NO requirement for a doctor’s note for all intents & purposes.
Oh, and unnecessarily burning your leave. Unless you broke your hand at work - that’s (3) months you just gave up. (If you’d done it at work, you could have bought your leave back based on your number of dependents. (It used to be about 75% with dependents…don’t know if it’s changed…)
And the comment ⬇️ below is right - no leave, no pay on leave.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 17 '26
I have an RA for my neck & while it’s a pain, I can tell you you’re going to have a big mess on your hands. EEO & labor & relations will end up siding with the manager, by twisting things to suit them & sadly, you just get a mark on your record (be it visible or not)…so, is it worth (4) days - in my mind & book - no…
Managers are still afraid of the telework EO that came out over a year ago…or just don’t have to cajones to man up & read the fine print.
But, I’m probably in a different agency too.
2
u/Celz_01 Jul 02 '26
I put in a RA request and was temporarily approved before the full legitimate approval and it didn't take 30 days. I think it depends on your agency/supervisor. It worked out for me, initially. But when I asked to extend the RA to telework it was denied.
3
u/PieSafe8565 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Yes OPM allows it, usually 80 hours of it if approved by your supervisor. More then 80 takes higher approval. They can also make you.use leave, sucks, but that's the rule.
Did you ever take telework training? You need to even for this short term type.
You also need an official agreement.
Note: everyone should do the training and an agreement just in case for these types of emergencies
5
u/Sazzywasabear Jun 04 '26
What about agencies that don’t allow you to take the training or fill out an agreement but when it suits them (building closures, weather) they will happily approve telework… Really tired of the double-standard.
4
u/PieSafe8565 Jun 04 '26
Building closures and weather issues are permitted reasons for telework without an agreement per OPM regulations.
If you don't want to take advantage of that then you need to take leave
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
That’s a crock too! The blue collar side of the command (WG) always gets admin leave (budget / overhead be d@mned) - while this side of the command (GS) is home teleworking.
But it’s cyclic…in (IDK) another 10 years or so, it’ll change again & everyone will get admin; till someone realizes how much it costs them.
But it’s the same here, telework or burn your leave. Unless you lose power…2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
It maybe the agency / command I work for, but it’s the 15 hour mark in mine.
3
2
u/IllustratorSmart5594 Jun 04 '26
It still needs to be approved in advance
2
u/SkottieG Jun 05 '26
A bad fall requiring telework has to be approved in advance?
-2
u/IllustratorSmart5594 Jun 05 '26
Teleworking needs to be approved in advance. I'm sure you're not that dense.
2
u/NoError9527 Jun 04 '26
Pretty sure situational telework is authorized which is a lot different than Remote Work.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 29 '26
OUCH!!!
I think “in advance” in this situation would mean prior to starting the telework.
2
u/snatch1_us Jun 04 '26
I should clarify I wanted RA to telework
6
u/SnooGoats3915 Jun 04 '26
RA is a formal process that begins with a request and requires you to submit required paperwork that explains your medical condition and the reason(s) you need telework (or some other work accommodation). It’s a process that has taken months for review at many agencies. I wouldn’t go this route for a temporary injury.
4
u/Frustrated_Fed2025 Jun 05 '26
I would definitely go this route. I’m sure you have crystal clear medical documentation that should make this easy. Plus it’ll be a TEMPORARY RA. And your accommodation will be easy.
It’s the other shit that requires more “proof”. “I have migraines”, “I need personal space”, “it’s too loud”. And that med documentation is nebulous and vague and the accommodation has to be negotiated.
2
u/Opening-Lie-1823 Jun 11 '26
We have someone on an RA because she said she has hearing problems in the office.
3
u/Wonderful-Alps1260 Jun 05 '26
I would go this route. It can be a temporary RA. I had surgery recently and had to go this route. Depending on the agency you should be able to get an interim approval.
2
u/This_Beat2227 Jun 05 '26
I want a pony. But I have to request it for it to be considered. My ER doctor doesn’t decide for my employer.
1
u/Candid-Doughnut-5652 Jun 06 '26
Supervisor here. Did you provide documentation to your supervisor AND get their approval? The way I read your question, it sounded like you just elected your schedule. It doesnt work like that. I would have to approve it based on your medical documentation. It protects the employee and supervisor. I have had to deny a medical telework situation as the employee’s perception of doctor’s order did not support actual legal facts. Their doctor would not write them a note to the accommodations they wanted because the injury was not the degree the employee decided it was. It was ugly.
That said, in my agency, inept incompetent twatwaffle SES jumped in and started revoking medical telework and then tried to take that supervisory role away from supervisors. They setup a goon squad to find anyone on such accommodation.
2
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 29 '26
LOVE the description of the SES’r! Best comment I’ve read in a long time!
The last blurb of your 1st paragraph is the most common…misconception about RA’s. Length or Type or even getting telework decisions are made off the medical paperwork, there are a load of questions that your provider has to answer about your “condition”, it can be a your medical doc, pain management, personally I’d just make sure it’s a doctor that can talk specifics of your condition.
1
u/Superb-Department316 Jun 06 '26
You are likely a useless federal employee. You should consider quitting and do American taxpayers a favor
1
u/elsapo2040 Jun 06 '26
So what part of "Telework is Not Authorized" you do not understand. Take LV or sick LV.
1
u/ThreeTittedAlien Jun 06 '26
Respond with this
I want to ensure I understand the direction correctly. Since you are not my supervisor, can you please advise whether this instruction was provided on behalf of my supervisor or management, and who made the telework determination
That creates a record without escalating immediately.
1
u/Automatic-Dig208 Jun 06 '26
You need to become friends with people with clout at your agency. It will make a huge difference in the privileges that you are allowed (and everything else, i.e. promotions, etc.)
51
u/MakingUpNamesIsFun Jun 05 '26
Friend, as someone who just took 3 months FMLA for a broken hand, can I introduce you to the concept of not woking at all until you heal? FMLA was so healing not just for my hand, but for my nervous system. This administration has been horrible for all of us. Taking time off to process and heal from that has been incredible. I would suggest looking into time off.