USPS OIG Report: Payments to Injured Employees

Objective Our objective was to determine whether the Postal Service is properly paying its injured employees. Postal Service employees are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers FECA, determines injured employees’ eligibility for benefits, and pays direct compensation to claimants or…

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APWU Offers Help for COVID OWCP Claims

From the Office of President Mark Dimondstein 1300 L Street NW Washington, DC 20005 July 7, 2020 To: All National Officers, State and Local Presidents Re: COVID OWCP Guidance Sisters and Brothers: The work done by postal workers in this challenging time of pandemic has played a major role in keeping the country connected. But…

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Information on FECA Coverage for Coronavirus Disease – 2019/COVID-19

A federal employee who contracts the Coronavirus Disease – 2019, known as COVID-19, while in performance of their job duties would have the full coverage of the FECA for related medical treatment and for wage loss or disability related to that condition or associated complications. However, under 20 C.F.R. § 10.303, exposure to COVID-19 alone…

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DOL Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2020

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Office of the Secretary, Wage and Hour Division, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation…

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APWU Western Region Coordinator: Filing a Stress Workers Comp Claim

Excerpt from APWU Western Region Coordinator Omar M. Gonzalez’ Dealing With Postal Monsters Guidebook Postal workers who are harassed may suffer emotional stress when carrying out their postal assignment duties.  At times employees file Workers Compensation claims and are taken aback by the denial of such claims by the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP)…

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OIG: What actions should USPS take to return injured employees back to work in limited duty assignments?

Project Title: Postal Service’s Limited Duty and Rehabilitation Programs Return to Work Processes Start Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 Estimated Report Release Date: December 2017 The OIG is conducting an audit to assess whether the Postal Service is effectively managing the Limited Duty and Rehabilitation Programs to facilitate returning injured employees that are deemed fit…

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USPS Handbook EL-505 Revision: Proper Completion of OWCP Claim Forms

Effective February 2, 2017, the Postal Service™ is revising Handbook EL-505, Injury Compensation, to clarify how to make changes to Forms CA-1, CA-2, CA-7, and CA-2a, when appropriate. Handbook EL-505, Injury Compensation * * * * * 2 Injury Compensation Office Setup * * * * * 2-3 Supplying Office Equipment — district HR manager…

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USPS: New system tracking workers’ comp costs reduces Philadelphia District expenses

The Philadelphia Post Office has slashed its operating expenses by adopting a new system to track workers’ compensation costs. The office had more than 275 employees who were injured and not available for duty. “We were paying for worker compensation benefits for these employees out of work as well as for their replacements to cover…

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