New Hire Process - Question

New2RCA · May 14, 2018

I had an injury last year and as a result had work restrictions. I no longer have them, but the USPS called and is requiring me to take a pre employment physical. I have a couple of questions:

1) As of now I am responsible for the cost of the pre employment physical. Do I get reimbursed for the cost if hired?

2) As far as I know, ALL RCAs are not required to take a pre employment physical, is this correct?

3) In regard to #2, the reason I ask is that it is illegal, as per the ADA, to single out any individual for a pre employment assessment if said assessment is not part of the universal hiring process (i.e., every potential RCA must be required to take a pre employment physical, as singling out any one person, or group of people, is against the law).

Thanks guys!

btdtret · May 14, 2018

New2RCA -- "I had an injury last year and as a result had work restrictions. I no longer have them, but the USPS called and is requiring me to take a pre employment physical. "

-- Were you an employee of the USPS when the injury occurred?

-- Was it an "on-the-job" injury?

-- Were you let go / fired due to the inability to totally perform you carrier duties after the injury?

-- Has manglement referred to this upcoming "exam" as a "pre employment physical" or a "Fitness for Duty" examination?

-- Might want to Google "EL-860-2000-7". ( 18 pages )

-- Who told you that you are responsible for the cost of the per-employment physical?

-- Per the El-860-2000-7, the Fitness for Duty exam is performed at no expense to the employee.

"As far as I know, ALL RCAs are not required to take a pre employment physical, is this correct?"

-- No. Per USPS Publication 181 -- Join Our Team / Rural Carrier Associate: Employment Requirements -- Medical Assessment: After receiving a job offer, applicants must consent to a medical assessment to determine their ability to perform in the position. ( might as well call a "medical assessment" a physical )

-- A Fitness for Duty exam is to safeguard the employee and coworkers when there is concern about an employee's ability to perform his or her job. Manglement just trying to "protect" the interests of the Postal Service.

-- When you next see a postal official, ask about the application of the ADA to your situation.

-- Search for "fitness for duty" in RI's KNOWLEDGEBASE Section.

Shafted · May 14, 2018

Welcome to the postal service. You seriously don’t want to work here. It is the most disgusting employer on the planet for treatment of its workers. Look at the posts about the employee surveys, and decide for yourself. Please consider looking for a job somewhere else where your employer isn’t going to paint a target on your back before you even walk in the door. Best of luck.