3.28.16 – (LUS) – Leave of Absence Reminders

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Monday, March 28, 2016

 

Leave of Absence Reminders – LUS

Absence & Return Center (ARC)

The Absence & Return Center, formerly known as Absence Management, will support you throughout your leave of absence and the return to work process. If you are submitting a Sick Verification form or Return to Work form, all must be faxed to the ARC at 817-967-1382. Other contact information includes: 

Address:
Absence & Return Center
4333 Amon Carter Blvd.             
MD 5132
Fort Worth, TX  76155

Phone:
817-967-6700

Hours:  
Monday – Friday, 0730 to 1800 (Central Time)

Email:
[email protected]

Any questions related to the administrative aspect of your leave (e.g. contract questions, re-coding your line, bidding questions, etc.) should be directed to PHX Flight Service Administration at 800-327-0117, prompts, 2, 5, 4; or via email at [email protected]. 
 
FMLA Certification Process

Within two (2) business days from the origination of the absence, the Company will send the Flight Attendant a letter notifying them of possible FMLA eligibility. The Company has created an FMLA Certification form to simplify the leave request process. The FMLA policy and the form can be found on Wings. Flight Attendants will be asked to furnish certification of the FMLA qualifying condition within seventeen (17) calendar days of the Company’s request letter of certification.

Expect to receive a response within five (5) business days from the date the Absence & Return Center receives your completed medical documentation. Insufficient information could result in the delay of your FMLA leave request. 

You can verify the status of your leave request by accessing the FMLA Status page via Jetnet.

FMLA Block Information

When requesting FMLA block leave, please be sure your health care provider indicates the start date of injury based on the actual first day you would not be able to work, regardless of the schedule.

Sick Verification Process

A Legacy US Airways Flight Attendant who is unable to report for duty for twenty-one (21) or more consecutive days following the origination of a sick call will be required to notify her/his Flight Service Manager (FSM). For injuries or illnesses of twenty-one (21) or more consecutive calendar days, you will need to fax a completed Sick Verification form to the ARC at 817-967-1382. A case manager will be assigned to you once your medical documentation is reviewed for medical eligibility. The Sick Verification Form may be found on Wings. 

Intermittent FMLA – Already Designated 

Flight Attendants must notify a Supervisor/PHX Admin no later than two (2) calendar days from the date you return to work when an absence is related to your FMLA leave. The preferred method of communication is by email at [email protected]. By using this method, you will be able to maintain an effective record of your request(s). The intermittent hotline (480-693-5410) may be used to check on a request, but the voicemail capacity has limitations. Messages are retrieved multiple times throughout the day. Check your line in CATCREW, not the Crew Portal, to ensure it has been re-coded correctly. The re-coding process should be completed within seventy-two (72) hours.

Return to Work Definitions

• Flying a Trip
• Reserve Day or Stand-by (even if not flown)
• Attending Training 
• Special Assignment/Company Business/APFA Business

Return to Work Policy

The Return to Work policy provides information related to your return to work, including required documentation from your treating health care provider to ensure you are able to perform the essential functions of your job, with or without an accommodation. Again, the Return to Work forms are available on Wings.

Clearance by your treating health care provider is necessary if one of the following applies:

• Hospitalization (admitted to the hospital), surgery (in or outpatient) or emergency room visits
• Medication that can affect alertness, mental function, or affect public safety
• Absent from work for 30 or more consecutive calendar days
• Injury to the eyes, ears and/or head
• Blocked ears 
• If you are unable to or unsure if you are able to perform the essential functions of your job. Flight attendants currently on injury who have been cleared by a physician must contact their injury coordinator at the base or Flight Service Manager. 
• Following clearance, the Flight Attendant Service Center will contact you regarding any training and/or fingerprinting/drug testing requirements.

Fly Safe and Be Well,

Catherine Sharp
APFA National Health Chair
[email protected]