This is in response to your February 22 letter requesting the identification of circumstances in which the Postal Service may terminate Continuation of Pay (COP) benefits exclusive of subchapter 545.51 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM). In response to specific inquiries, the Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP) on two occasions (September 28, 1978, and February 22; 1983) provided the Postal Service with policy interpretations. These letters are enclosed for your review. We believe these situations, while not addressed in ELM 545.51, are incorporated in ELM 545.56 and 545.62. Also, on February 5, 1979, the OWCP stated that it would not, be unreasonable for the Postal Service to require a medical report to determine if an employee should be placed in a COP status. Such a medical report would be necessary to substantiate a job caused traumatic injury and disability in instances where there are unwitnessed or highly questionable alleged job-related injuries.
Document Type: USPS Position Letter
APWU National Grievance Number: None