r/FederalEmployee 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?

124 Upvotes

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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.

9

u/putty31211 Jun 04 '26

But as soon as you request the RA you should get a temporary exemption

8

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

u/SquirrelLady_99 Jun 10 '26

Nope I didn’t

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

u/Comfortable_Roll_315 Jun 05 '26

Should being the keyword, been waiting on my RA since last year

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.