Question about "Medical restriction on hours worked in a day"

Mt.Carrier · Sep 17, 2026

Hello everyone! So, I've been dealing with some issues with my feet for quite some time. My family doctor referred me to a Podiatrist/Surgeon who diagnosed me with having plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis, which is a result of being completely flat footed with overpronation. Well, today I went to the doctor after work, and we discussed some options. Now I work a 6-0 Aux that is 5 hours a day, and after discussing my job duties and all the walking and physical activity that the job requires, he thought it was a reasonable option to restrict my work day to no more than 6 hours a day. I especially like that idea since peak season is fast approaching. Now I got the paper work and all today, submitted it to my Union rep (who I'm waiting on to respond), and I'm going to give it to my postmaster tomorrow. Was wondering if there's anything else I should be aware of with a situation such as this? Been with the post office for several years and I'm turning 50 in a couple months, so I'm trying to prioritize my health.

Gotrope · Sep 17, 2026

it's a smart way to do it. but, you have to prove job relation to injury to have the offer accepted.
btw, epsom salt lotion will help with your condition. you can buy it or make your own with coconut oil and dissolved epsom salt.
good luck

ATCBigE · Sep 17, 2026

Eccentric exercises for the Achilles. Just google it.

You will thank me later. Those exercises really help out with it from my experience in the medical field.

Charlie Brown · Friday at 12:48 PM

Just keep in mind that there is no "light" duty in the rural craft. A gotrope pointed out if this is a job related illness or injury then there should be no problem, it becomes "limited duty" which is allowed in the rural craft. If this is not proven as job related then since you are an RCA scheduled less than your limitation management may be willing to work with you. If your postmaster/supervisors are actually human and the office has enough other RCA's then you'll probably be okay. If they're not or the office is understaffed or they don't like you or you pissed them off then they can tell you to go home and not come back until your doctor can certify you fit to do the job.

grant4x4 · Saturday at 3:31 AM

Charlie Brown said:
Just keep in mind that there is no "light" duty in the rural craft. As gotrope pointed out, if this is a job related illness or injury then there should be no problem, it becomes "limited duty" which is allowed in the rural craft. If this is not proven as job related then since you are an RCA scheduled less than your limitation management may be willing to work with you. If your postmaster/supervisors are actually human and the office has enough other RCA's then you'll probably be okay. If they're not or the office is understaffed or they don't like you or you pissed them off then they can tell you to go home and not come back until your doctor can certify you fit to do the job.

So a lot of it really comes down to how the restriction is classified and how much flexibility that office has. It’s a bit like a Winbeast Casino https://winbeast-casinos.fr with different games and slots, the same basic rules can feel very different depending on how much room there is to work within them.

the part where it all hinges on staffing and whether your PM feels like helping is what makes these restrictions such a gamble.

rustygyrfalcon88 · Sunday at 3:06 AM

Mt.Carrier said:
Hello everyone! So, I've been dealing with some issues with my feet for quite some time. My family doctor referred me to a Podiatrist/Surgeon who diagnosed me with having plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis, which is a result of being completely flat footed with overpronation. Well, today I went to the doctor after work, and we discussed some options. Now I work a 6-0 Aux that is 5 hours a day, and after discussing my job duties and all the walking and physical activity that the job requires, he thought it was a reasonable option to restrict my work day to no more than 6 hours a day. I especially like that idea since peak season is fast approaching. Now I got the paper work and all today, submitted it to my Union rep (who I'm waiting on to respond), and I'm going to give it to my postmaster tomorrow. Was wondering if there's anything else I should be aware of with a situation such as this? Been with the post office for several years and I'm turning 50 in a couple months, so I'm trying to prioritize my health.
Work will always be there, but the older I get the less interested I am in proving I can just tough everything out. I’d rather make a few sensible adjustments now and hopefully keep doing the job without constantly paying for it physically later. Same with a Romus Casino https://romus-casinos.fr really, I’d rather enjoy a few games or slots at my own pace than keep pushing just because I feel like I’m supposed to.

Six hours sounds a lot more realistic than trying to grind through peak with both feet acting up. Hopefully management doesn’t turn the paperwork into its own endurance event.

Soccer Playing Carrier · Sunday at 9:31 AM

Worked with an RCA in VA that she was great but pregnancy took a toll on her. She had restrictions put on that management worked with... until another RCA secretly complained that she got preferential treatment since they were working with her. All of a sudden management couldn't work with her anymore and she was gone. Just be aware and careful that this job isn't always able to work with limitations because it takes one manager changing their mind or one person complaining about favoritism. This was during the height of covid times and we needed her so badly just to be there from time to time. The guy that complained didn't like that she didn't work as many days as him. This was a guy who called out almost every week at least one day while some of us worked 6 or 7 days every week. They were allowing her to work 4 days a week

Mt.Carrier · Tuesday at 7:13 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies. The restriction is actually 8 hours maximum a day and not 6, my bad on the typo. Anyways, I had a good private conversation with my PM, and she is being rather nice about it, and also letting other offices know about my restriction when I'm asked to help out at those other offices. I go back for a reevaluation with my doctor in a little over a month and will see what comes next. Thanks again for everyones input, I really appreciate it.