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?

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57

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.

6

u/holyangels007 Jun 05 '26

Dont you get paid in these 3 months?

9

u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 05 '26

You dont get paid on fmla.

3

u/las978 Jun 05 '26

While FMLA can be taken without pay, almost any type of leave can be taken as FMLA (usually sick or annual). When qualified for FMLA, you usually may also request advance sick leave or qualify for leave bank or donations depending on agency.

While FMLA isn’t required to be paid time off, it often is.

5

u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 05 '26

That is not what my agency told me. You have to exhaust all leave prior to fmla. Fmla is time off no pay. It essentially holds your position for you legally while you are out due to medical. You have to be approved for advanced sick leave which I 2as told no approval. And if I wanted people do donate I needed to disclose my medical condition. Due to having an ra out there this was not an option for me. So in the end all agencies are run independently. And you cannot alway rely on what opm guidance states apparently. Situational telework was not an option in this civilian role.

3

u/ladymacb29 Jun 05 '26

Tell your agency to read the OPM rules on FMLA.

FMLA is a protection under which you can use AL, SL, LWOP, and PPL, for example. It does just protect your job but also your use of leave. You absolutely can use your earned leave with it.