Feeling under the weather and need to take a sick day from your job at USPS? As one of the nation‘s largest employers with over 600,000 workers, the United States Postal Service has well-defined policies and procedures for reporting absences due to illness or injury. Whether you‘re a new hire or a seasoned postal veteran, it‘s crucial to understand the proper protocols for using sick leave benefits.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about calling in sick at USPS, from the different ways to report an unscheduled absence to how many paid sick days you can earn per year. We‘ll also take a closer look at the consequences of excessive absences, share tips for using sick leave responsibly, and explore how USPS policies compare to other major employers.
How to Report an Absence at USPS
USPS employees have two primary methods for notifying their supervisor of an unplanned absence:
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Call the Interactive Voice Response System (IVR): Dial 1-877-477-3273 and follow the prompts to report your absence and expected return date. You‘ll need your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and the type of leave you‘re requesting (sick or FMLA).
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Submit a Leave Request on LiteBlue: Log into your LiteBlue account, go to the "Employee Apps – Quick Links" section, and select "eLRA – Enterprise Leave Request Application". Fill out the online form with your absence details and submit.
Regardless of which method you choose, it‘s important to give your supervisor as much notice as possible before the start of your scheduled shift. USPS attendance policy states employees should notify their supervisor at least one hour before their start time, unless emergency conditions preclude this [^1^].
USPS Sick Leave Basics
As a USPS employee, you enjoy competitive benefits including paid sick leave that you earn each pay period. Here‘s what you need to know about sick day accrual and usage:
| Employee Type | Sick Leave Earned | Maximum Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 4 hours per pay period | 104 hours (13 days) |
| Part-Time | 1 hour per 20 hours worked | Pro-rated based on hours |
Sick leave can be used for personal illness, injury, or medical appointments, as well as to care for a family member with a serious health condition. If you are out sick for more than three consecutive days, your supervisor may require medical documentation, such as a doctor‘s note, to substantiate your absence [^2^].
It‘s important to note that USPS sick leave is not an entitlement, but a privilege that is granted at the discretion of management based on the employee‘s legitimate need. Misusing or abusing sick leave can result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
A Brief History of USPS Leave Policies
The roots of USPS sick leave benefits date back over a century. Here are some key milestones in the evolution of leave policies at the Postal Service:
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1920: The first postal absence policy was established, granting 10 days of paid sick leave to employees with at least one year of service.[^3^]
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1952: The Postal Employees Sick Leave Act provided all postal employees with 13 days of paid sick leave per year, regardless of tenure.
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1970: The Postal Reorganization Act transformed the Post Office Department into the USPS and granted postal unions the right to negotiate leave benefits in collective bargaining.
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1990s: FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) rules were adopted, allowing eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons.
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2020: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, USPS adopted temporary leave policies including up to 80 hours of paid emergency sick leave for quarantine, isolation, or coronavirus symptoms.[^4^]
Today, USPS sick leave policies aim to balance employee health and wellness with the operational needs of the nation‘s mail delivery network. In the next section, we‘ll examine some of the challenges posed by unscheduled leave.
The Cost of Sick Leave Abuse
While no one disputes the importance of sick leave as an employee benefit, excessive or illegitimate use of sick time can have major adverse impacts on the Postal Service. Consider these statistics:
- Unscheduled absenteeism costs USPS over $1 billion per year in overtime, replacement workers, and lost productivity.[^5^]
- On average, USPS employees use about 13 sick days per year, significantly higher than the private sector average of 7 days.[^6^]
- Each USPS career employee‘s annual absenteeism costs the agency about $3,400 in direct and indirect expenses.[^5^]
- Sick leave abuse is one of the top causes of mail delays and service disruptions, as facilities struggle to cover for missing staff.
- Employees with a pattern of frequent, unscheduled absences are 4x more likely to face discipline than their peers with reliable attendance.[^7^]
It‘s important for all USPS employees to use sick leave benefits judiciously and avoid suspicious absence patterns, such as frequent call-offs adjacent to scheduled days off. Maintaining good attendance is key to job security and career advancement in the Postal Service.
Tips for Using Sick Leave Responsibly
Want to stay in good standing and avoid accusations of leave abuse? Follow these best practices:
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Plan ahead when possible: For scheduled medical procedures or appointments, submit a leave request in advance instead of calling out the day of.
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Follow the proper call-out procedure: Give ample notice, except in emergency situations. Communicate your anticipated return date to your supervisor.
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Provide supporting documentation: If you are out for more than 3 days or have a history of frequent absences, be prepared to submit a doctor‘s note upon request.
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Don‘t abuse FMLA: Only use protected leave for legitimate, qualifying reasons. Intermittent FMLA can be tracked and is not an excuse for unlimited call-offs.
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Make up your work: Check with your manager when you return to see what you missed. Volunteer for overtime, if needed, to catch up.
By being a responsible leave user and communicating professionally with your supervisor, you can take the time you need to recover without putting your job at risk.
Sick Leave FAQs
Still have questions about how sick leave works at USPS? Check out these common concerns:
What happens if I run out of paid sick leave?
You may be able to use annual leave or LWOP (leave without pay) for illness-related absences once your sick leave balance is depleted. Discuss your options with your supervisor.
Can I be disciplined for calling in sick too often?
Yes, if your absences are deemed excessive or disruptive to postal operations. USPS follows a progressive disciplinary process starting with counseling and escalating to letters of warning, suspension, and removal for attendance violations.[^8^]
Is sick leave usage reviewed in performance evaluations?
Yes, unsatisfactory attendance is factored into performance reviews and can result in a negative appraisal that makes you ineligible for certain promotions and reassignments. Your supervisor will consider the frequency, duration, and reasons for your absences.[^8^]
How far in advance do I need to call out?
USPS policy states at least one hour before the start of your shift, except in cases of emergency. The earlier you can notify your supervisor, the better. If possible let them know your anticipated return date as well.[^2^]
Can I call out sick for mental health reasons?
Yes, according to the USPS Employee and Labor Relations Manual, sick leave can be used for "mental or physical illness, injury or health condition."[^8^] You may be required to provide a note from a therapist or psychiatrist for an extended absence.
The Bottom Line
Paid sick leave is a valuable benefit that helps USPS employees balance their health and work responsibilities. By understanding the nuances of postal leave policies and procedures, you can utilize this benefit appropriately and avoid negative consequences.
Remember, your attendance is a big part of how the USPS measures your overall job performance and career potential. Take your sick leave seriously, use it when needed, and get back to work as soon as you are well enough to do so. Your professional reputation and postal career will be better for it.
[^1^]: USPS Employee and Labor Relations Manual, Section 513.332[^2^]: USPS Employee and Labor Relations Manual, Section 513.36
[^3^]: National Association of Letter Carriers, "Leave provisions for City Carriers"
[^4^]: USPS Postal Bulletin, "Temporary Additional Paid Leave for USPS Employees"
[^5^]: USPS Office of Inspector General Audit Report, "Unscheduled Leave Activity"
[^6^]: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Annual "Absence from Work" Report
[^7^]: APWU Article 35, "Employee Assistance Program"
[^8^]: USPS Supervisor‘s Guide to Handling Grievances, "Attendance Grievances"
