This is in response to your letter of March 15 regarding an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruling on partially handicapped employees and their placement in the proper level and step they would have attained had they not had an on-the-job injury.
It is my understanding that the Office of Personnel Management has issued a revision to 5 CFR, Part 353, which concerns restoration rights of employees injured on the job which was effective February 16. Furthermore, the revision only affects those employees who return to employment on or after February 16.
As a result of the OPM revisions, the U.S. Post Service issued directives to the Field advising them of the changes to the law (copy attached). The issue of placement into the proper level and step is appropriately addressed in the directive.
In the directive, subsequent changes will be made to the Employee and Labor Relations Manual, Chapter 546.142, reflecting those revisions in the near future.
Document Type: USPS Position Letter
APWU National Grievance Number: None