Federal (temporary) medical telework- what is required?

[Anonymous]

I've asked my supervisor about this and she's not been able to get back to me yet. I'm considering surgery on my feet that would keep me out for at least 2 weeks, possibly 6 or more, I guess depending on the surgery and recovery. From my understanding, I would need to be off my feet for awhile, but would otherwise be fine.

My supervisor said she thought you had to exhaust all your sick leave first before they would allow you to telework.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure you aren't required to blow through all your SL before you can TW. Forget what your supervisor knows or doesn't know... What does HR and/or OPM say?

I think you do have to blow thru your own leave before you can get into the leave donation program.

Good luck!

Signed, long-time fed who has had multiple foot surgeries

[Anonymous]

I was approved to telework when I broke my foot and did not have to use sick leave. I had a preexisting telework agreement, but only for episodic telework. A coworker did medical telework for several weeks after back surgery and did not exhaust sick leave either. It would defeat the purpose of having medical telework if you had to use sick leave first. Just because you can't walk doesn't mean you can't work!

I think your supervisor has no clue. Talk to someone in HR.

[Anonymous]

And it is all dependent on your agency's policies on telework. If you ask OPM, that's what they will tell you. Tomorrow at work look for your agency's policy in internal regs, on internal websites, etc.