Situational telework after surgery
I have FMLA approved for an upcoming surgery. The latest memo I can find from December 2025 states that situational telework can be approved for “ When an employee is recovering from a short-term illness or an injury, is unable to physically report to the agency worksite, but can still perform work.”
I am the only person at my facility who does my job, which can be done remotely as I was fully teleworking before RTO. I am asking for situational telework for 2.5 weeks while I recover. My leadership is stating they can’t approve anything outside of an RA. RA officer is stating anything less than 8 weeks is not appropriate for RA and my supervisor can approve anything less.
I have just enough AL and SL that I could take the time off but it will literally harm the agency and who we serve. Is leadership so scared to approve anything that they are willing to cause harm to the agency?
Has anyone else had a similar experience?