I have 3 years before I can retire, I have carried all kinds of routes, including a 10 year stint on a walking route. My back is, as my doctor says, completely unstable. This happened over time and I never filed for worker's comp. The last year+, I've had a weight limit and need help most days with 4 or 5 packages. I have been doing 8 hours a day on my route, everything but a few packages. Management has been very good about helping me.. 2 weeks ago I was called into the office at the end of my shift. I was told that I was being put off the clock until I can get worker's comp. No one in my town handles Federal Worker's Comp. It is my understanding that this will be the new normal, those of us with a lot of seniority with any restrictions are being pushed out. The PO wants nothing but non career people running the routes to cut back on costs.
What can we do? I've been there over half my life! This feels wrong! I filed an EEO and I'm trying to find help with this Worker's Comp mess.