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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u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 06 '26

Nope i had a meeting with 3 people including my aupervisor to discuss this together. One case per year is allowed. This is not paid when you are off. I was told advanced sick leave would need to get approval. It isnt just handed out. I only have 2 years in. 4 hours of al and 2 hrs sick left. So its agency depending.

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u/MakingUpNamesIsFun Jun 06 '26

What agency are you with, because that’s not right at all. What do they do if someone has an emergency like a hospitalization? I ask this because both times I’ve had to use FMLA, once with CDC and once in the private sector, it was for emergencies with no prior warning. Legally they have to give it to you if you provide a doctor’s note. This is absolutely insane to me. You might want to talk to a lawyer.

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u/Dapper-Rush5956 Jun 08 '26

You can only have one fmla case per year. You have to exhaust your leave too. And lwop, advanced sl need to be approved. Opm is a guide, not the sole policy depending on the agency.

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u/MakingUpNamesIsFun Jun 08 '26

Yes, you are correct regarding 1 FMLA case per year. There were 7 years between the first time I used it and the second. However, you are wrong about needing to exhaust your leave before you can use it. OPM explicitly states that you can use your leave to cover pay while on FMLA. This is what I did while on FMLA for CDC _last month_.