How Do You Call in Sick at USPS? (Your Full Guide)
Sick days are a fact of life. Whether you work for the USPS or any other company, there will be times when you need to call in sick. So, how do you do that?
In this blog post, we’ll cover all the details about how to call in sick at USPS, including who you should contact, what information is required, and what policies apply when taking time off due to illness. So, read on for all the details!
Table of Contents
How Do You Call in Sick at USPS?
If you happen to get sick, there are two ways how you can let your USPS supervisor know that you won’t be able to show up at work:
By calling the USPS’s Interactive Voice Response system.
By submitting a request through eLRA online.
Provided you have enough sick days left, you won’t get in trouble for calling in sick. Just make sure to inform your supervisor as soon as possible when you’re feeling too ill to come in and work. That way, USPS can quickly fill your position with a temporary replacement.
How Do You Call in Sick at USPS Over the Phone?
USPS has a special Interactive Voice Response system that allows you to call in sick. This is a quick and easy way to let USPS know that you won’t be able to make it to work.
To call in sick by phone, simply dial 877-477-3273. Once you’re connected to the system, just follow the prompts. Then the system will ask the reason for calling, so select option 4 to request an unscheduled leave.
After that, be ready to enter your employee ID number. This is done to ensure that the call is from an actual USPS employee.
Once you have been identified, the system will ask you the reason for your absence. Again, you can choose from a number of options, including illness or injury, personal emergency, or doctor’s appointment. In that case, just select the option that fits your situation best and provide any additional information that is requested.
Once you have finished all the prompts, you will receive a confirmation number. This is basically a receipt that you can use to refer back to the original request. Make sure to keep this number handy, as you may need it later when you return to work.
How Do You Call in Sick at USPS Online?
Another way to report your absence from work is to submit a request through the USPS’s eLRA online system. This system is available on the LiteBlue portal that USPS employees use to access their pay stubs, insurance benefits, and other important information.
To use the eLRA system to call in sick, simply go to the LiteBlue website, log in to your account using your employee credentials, and find the eLRA icon. You can find it in the “Employee Apps” section, followed by the “Quick Links” section.
Once you have opened the eLRA window, fill out a request with the reason for absence and any additional sick leave details that you may be asked for. When finished, simply submit the request. Your manager will see review it as soon as possible.
This method is usually preferred by both managers and employees, as it is faster and more reliable than calling in. Plus, the information is passed securely to your manager for record-keeping purposes.
Do You Need a Doctor’s Note to Call in Sick at USPS?
When submitting a request for unscheduled leave, you don’t need to upload a doctor’s note or any related documentation. However, your manager may ask for a doctor’s note when reviewing your request.
Since USPS has a “deems desirable” sick leave policy, your supervisor has the legal right to ask for a doctor’s note to prove your inability to come in and work.
Although it doesn’t happen often, it’s best to be prepared in case you are asked for such a note. So, if your illness requires a visit to the doctor, make sure to get a note from them that confirms your visit and inability to come to work. This will help you avoid any conflicts with management.
How Many Times Can You Call in Sick USPS?
The number of paid sick leaves you get depends on your position at USPS. For example, if you’re a full-time employee, you’re eligible for more sick leaves since you work more hours than part-time employees.
In general, USPS employees are entitled to up to 13 paid sick days per year. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t take a day off if the situation requires it.
If you run out of the 13 days, you can use your annual leave or unpaid leave to cover any remaining absences. Just make sure to check with your manager first before taking a leave of absence.
Can USPS Fire You for Calling in Sick?
USPS can’t fire you for calling in sick. However, like any other employer, they can impose disciplinary action if there is a pattern of repeated absences or misuse of sick leave.
If you do accumulate too many unscheduled leaves, your supervisor may impose disciplinary action or require that you provide a doctor’s note for future absences.
However, if you’re using sick time as it is intended, you will not have to worry about being fired. Sick time is guaranteed to USPS employees, and it’s best to use it as needed. Again, just make sure to let your manager know in advance when you need to take a day off.
Can You Request Days Off at USPS?
If you’ve run out of your paid sick days, you can still take a day off from work. How? By requesting unpaid leave of absence.
The process is essentially the same as requesting sick leave. You’ll need to submit your request through the eLRA system on LiteBlue, but you should make sure to indicate that you are requesting unpaid leave.
Once you’ve submitted your request, your manager will review it and get back to you as soon as possible. And that’s it!
Conclusion
So, there are two ways to call in sick at USPS. You can either use the eLRA system or call the USPS call system. Either way, make sure to provide an adequate explanation and a doctor’s note to avoid any issues with management.
As long as you follow the procedure properly and have available days off, there should be no problems.
