Sick Leave Duration

Permanent employees are granted sick leave at the end of every two weeks, having 4 hours per pay period which equates to 13 days per year. Non-executive part-time employees are granted a sick leave period of 78 hours per year, which is similar to the non-executive full time employees.

Terms and Conditions for a Sick Leave

Employees should not work elsewhere during their sick leave unless they have obtained written approval from USPS. Those granted sick leave include:

  • Employees who are ill
  • Employees who are pregnant
  • Employees with a serious health condition ..

If an employee is debilitated by sickness, they are allowed to take a maximum of three days bereavement leave. This leave is for family members who fall within the bereavement leave definition, which includes dental or eye checkups. If an employee has an appointment with their doctor, such as a dental or eye checkup, they are not allowed to take bereavement leave. When a doctor certifies that an employee may infect others with an illness they have or as a result of taking care of a sick relative, then the employee is not allowed to take bereavement leave. If an employee is sick and notifies USPS in advance on the number of days, they will be absent while seeking treatment. ..

Stepchildren are biological or adopted children of parents who are also their step-parents. Daughter-in-law and sons in law are also biological or adopted children of parents who are also their daughter-in-law or sons in law’s husbands, wives, or sisters. Grandparents are biological or adopted grandparents of children who are also their grandchildren. Parents Mother or father in law are biological or adopted parents of children who are also their mothers, fathers, or siblings. Brothers and sisters in law are biological or adopted siblings of children who are also their brothers and sisters.

Difference between Sick Leave and Other Leaves

Sick leave is specifically given for medical reasons. Conversely, other leaves cover wider areas such as vacations, holidays and personal absence. Employees obtain sick leave days faster than other types of leaves. However, sick leave is unpaid as compared to other leaves. And while the other kinds of leaves expire at the end of the year, sick leave accumulates with no expiry.

Procedures for Obtaining a Sick Leave

An employee should fill out the PS form 3971 and submit it to their supervisor. Also, one should detail the reason for their leave in the remarks sector. The request should be in writing and photocopied. After that, the supervisor may approve or deny the form. However, if one’s illness is abrupt, they can call the supervisors instead. In this case, the supervisor will fill out the employee’s sick leave form on their behalf to account for their absence.

A supervisor may disapprove of a leave. The supervisor should give reasons why they disapprove and give an alternative leave such as annual leave. One of the reasons a supervisor can decline to give a sick leave is when an employee fails to prove their illness.

Postmaster Leave

If a postmaster is taking a leave, they should notify the relevant authorities in advance. If their leave exceeds 3 days, they should account for their progress regularly, such as after a month. Alternatively, they can submit a PS form 3971 for a shorter leave. The form should be submitted within 2 days. ..

How to Substantiate Sick Leave 

An employee should submit a signed document by their doctor or someone in the same capacity as their doctor explaining the employee’s illness and that it hindered them from performing their normal duties. Employees should avoid general statements such as “under my care” or “received treatment”, which do not disclose the nature of the illness.

Sick Leave May be Limited if

At the discretion of management, they may believe that the employee is using their sick leave in an unauthorized manner. The management may review the employees’ absent file and the number of times a file has been absent. If the management determines that the employee is using their sick leave in an unauthorized manner, they may place the employee on a restricted sick leave.

Employees are now required to provide medical documentation in order to take sick leave. This is in response to concerns raised by employees about being unfairly denied leave. ..

Sick leave is a type of leave that is only given for medical reasons. Unlike other types of leaves that expire at the end of the year, employees can use accumulated sick leaves in the coming year. However, the management can deny an employee a sick leave after reviewing it with their supervisors and with the employees.

The Postal Service informs employees about their accrued number of sick leaves in a variety of ways. Some employees receive notices in their mail, while others may be told through verbal announcements or postings on the company’s website.

Employees are notified through the writing of the accumulated sick leave policy.

Yes, an unused sick leave can be used in the next year.

An employee can use the software in the next year to improve their work process.

The Postal Service is asking a federal court to decide whether it can limit the number of hours an employee can use sick leave if they already have accumulated sick leave from the previous year. The Postal Service argues that limiting employees’ hours would save money and improve the service.

An employee may only carry over 56 hours of sick leave if it exceeds the limit set by the company.

The USPS does not pay employees who terminate their contract from the accrued sick leave.

Employers are not required to pay employees for any accrued sick leave. This rule was released by the Department of Labor in order to help employees who may have been unaware of their rights.