The postal reform bill also imposes a three-day waiting period before employees can begin receiving FECA workers compensation benefits for temporary disability, including compensation or continuation of pay.
USPS, whose huge labor force registers a significant number of injuries, has tried for years to limit workers compensation costs, and won a bit of ground with the continuation of pay provision.
However, while most state and other workers comp programs have waiting periods, the provision effectively creates a two-tier system inside the government since the clause doesn’t apply to the executive branch.
The bill says postal employees are to use annual leave, sick leave, or leave without pay during that three-day period.
However, if the disability exceeds 14 days or is followed by permanent disability, leave or pay for the time spent on leave, can be reinstated.
