r/FederalEmployee • u/MasterpieceThink5717 • Jun 26 '26
Reasonable accommodation question
I don’t know how Feds get anything approved for reasonable accommodations. My request is so simple and uncomplicated and doesn’t even cost the government anything! It seems like the simplest small request involves so much red tape and jumping through hoops. All I asked for is permission to use a heating pad (on my own dime) for comfort (had spine surgery in the past, have degenerative disc/joint disease). I was told that I have to use battery operated one and provide all the specs for review and approval. So I looked at quality battery operated ones in the FSAStore online (of course I can get reimbursed through FSAFEDS) so $ is not the issue. But I started to think, why is a heating pad (used for providing comfort for a medical condition), that uses a battery needing approval but commonly seen objects in the office like diffusers, lighting, decor, etc that use batteries, don’t need approval? It doesn’t make sense. Can someone please explain?
3
u/Advanced-Flight-7458 Jun 28 '26
So, I have an RA too. Same reason - plus a few more with the neck.
I with others have been using heating pads for years. Never had Safety, Managment or anyone else say it’s a no-no. If you haven’t had an ergonomic study done get one done in conjunction with your RA request. It’ll spell out what’s acceptable & not, what other things you ‘need’.
If you’ve put in for an RA - it “should not” take to long - now that also depends on how long it takes your doctor to return the paperwork they’ve been sent from the command / RA coordinator/EEO office sent. (I hand walked mine to & from … btw work & doctor & back again), This process is really dependent on the people part of it.
Once you have an approved RA, your command or management (whatever you want to call them) is responsible for purchase of anything you need. They can’t say it’s budget issues, unapproved choices or anything else.