I am going out for around 6 weeks due to a hip replacement starting Sept. 21st. Yes I am working through it and the pain is immense everyday. I can barely walk while casing and delivering to a door is horrible. But I was told by HR that, while using FMLA, I have to call in to that stupid number every morning, going through the tedious process, and call off for each and every day of the recovery. Anyone else have any insight on that? Sounds really dumb, but then again, most things postal, are really dumb.
FMLA Leave
- Thread starter shoe72
- Start date
What I found...
- Continuous Leave: If you are approved for a continuous block of FMLA leave (e.g., 3 weeks off for surgery or recovery), you do not call in every day. Your initial notification and approved PS Form 3971 / FMLA paperwork cover the entire duration of the approved absence.
- Intermittent Leave: If you take leave sporadically (e.g., flare-ups or individual medical appointments), you must use the standard USPS call-in procedures (via the LiteBlue eLRA system or calling the IVR hotline at 877-477-3273) to report each individual absence and apply your FMLA case number. You do not call daily once a continuous stretch is logged, but you must report every new, distinct absence event.
Calling in every day does not seem right. Do you have the form ? Doesn’t it say on the the form when the Dr/Pa, says you will be cleared to return to full duties ? Do not wait on mgt for the form, print it yourself. I am sure ppl with more knowledge on here will be able to help you. 
I'm confused because the HR person told me I had to call in every day, and surprise, my PM had no idea. She said I can only use FMLA sick time and NOT annual, but at least HR said I can use either.
So that says once I call off on the day of the surgery, I am good until return, Am I understanding this right?
So that says once I call off on the day of the surgery, I am good until return, Am I understanding this right?
Be sure you get a few copies of the fmla forms, things at the PO have a tendency to disappear.
Be sure you do your p/t ! I had to have both replaced due to hockey & many other sports, plus, delivering the mail did not help.
Same here Hockey, lifetime of sports plus, when I started at PO, we had dual appointments, city/rural carrier, and I did 14 years of walking an aux city route and doing an aux rural route in the same day. Gave me 8 hours of work a day but destroyed my hip. Things sure have changed in 30 years of PO work.
stingrayiii
Well-known member
As long as you have FMLA on file, the supervisor can add it to any sick leave on the computer. They also have the FMLA case number on the computer while doing it. Depends on how crappy of a supervisor you have really.
Several carriers have used the continual leave process in our offces.
You may use sick leave, annual or LWOP, it's YOUR choice when using FMLA. If you have any questions about the program call the Dept of Labor and they'll answer questions for you. This is a NATIONAL program, not a post office program, so USPS must adhere to the law.
RWHT has a drop down tab for FMLA.
Yep, I used it once for emergency gall bladder surgery. Was able to contact the rare super supervisor before the procedure and he told me to let him know how many days out when able, was submitting FMLA for me, and to expect the paperwork from HR in the mail. He and the PM pushed FMLA when deemed appropriate. Recall one of them telling me that FMLA doesn't count as sick leave numbers on the PFP scorecard lol.
1. Yes you need to use the call in line for FMLA
For those who tell you you don't.. WHY DOES THE CALL IN LINE ASK YOU IF THIS IS REGARDING AN FMLA CLAIM?
2. IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE READ THIS...
You call in for 90 days not 1 day at a time.
WHY?
The PO claims they can write you up for using more than 3 unscheduled absences a quarter. An unscheduled absence is a call in. I know FMLA is a totally separate thing ...BUT... when you come back to active duty do you plan to never take another sick day? What if you get the Flu in the 3 month period after your return to active duty. You are then subject to the PO Policy of no more than 3 call ins per quarter regardless if this is right or not, why put yourself through the aggravation when you can do it right the first time.
As a side note I would do a 90 day call in on any illness or injury that could cause you to be out more than 1 day. This will, if manglement knows what they are doing (BIG IF) generate an FMLA packet being sent to you. If it turns out to be a 1 day injury or illness you can work through, you can just let them know you are better and return to duty.
3. Mark a Callander when you called in and repeat the 90 day call on around the 88th or 89th day
The reason you call in is to take FMLA completely out of the hands of the local management because they know nothing about FMLA but that never stops them from acting like they do.
Shannonboy
Well-known member
Great point.....ouch good buddy. I'm glad you survived those surgeries.
Great point.....ouch good buddy. I'm glad you survived those surgeries.
. I was fortunate both surgeries went really well. One of my new hips is about 13 years old & they last approximately 15-20 years, yikes. The other hip is about 8 
!14 years of aux route, ugh, how many miles ? A city carrier friend of mine (retired), he bid on & delivered a walking route 7-8 miles/day for around 10 years. The weather is ok for a 7-8 mile walking route. Good luck
Just a note. Had a conversation with a District data geek and they reported that even our union is totally data driven now, so they just program the system to highlight anyone with 3 UNEXCUSED sick leave days in 3 months and National is requiring a letter. So if you have FMLA you're covered. OR if your sick days are PLANNED, where a relief carrier can be assigned, they dont count.
So are you saying "The Data" will know you are on FMLA?
Are you further saying they never need to call in to the sick line?
That is incorrect because the sick line asks you if you are calling in for a new or FMLA claim. So you must call in for FMLA#1.
#2 Your "Data" will not know your FMLA call ins and the subsequent Flu Sick leave call in the same quarter don't count as more than 3 in the quarter unless the one FMLA call in is for 90 days.
This is sound advice from experience not here say
from Old Fart who is usually right on the money.
I get it you shouldn't have to do this because you can't be punished for FMLA, but again management is clueless that they have no say over FMLA and will, if an idiot, claim they due.Save yourself the aggravation and do it right the first time.
