Sick leave documentation requirements are set by the ELM (Employee and Labor Relations Manual) in section 513.36.  Often, the Postal Service will not accept  your doctor's written excuse because it does not explicitly state your inability to work.  I suggest printing a copy of the ELM regulation from below or making a copy of the appropriate FMLA form from the APWU pamphlet and give it to your doctor when requesting medical documentation.  Note: if it contains a medical prognosis or diagnosis it should only be submitted to the medical unit and not to your supervisor or postmaster.  Another good reason to use the APWU's FMLA forms.

ELM
513.36    Documentation Requirements

513.361  Three Days or Less
               For periods of absence of 3 days or less, supervisors may accept the
               employees' statement explaining the absence.  Medical documentation or
               other acceptable evidence of incapacity for work is required only when the
               employee is on restricted sick leave (see 513.37) or when the supervisor
               deems documentation desirable for the protection of the interests of the
               Postal Service.

513.362  Over Three Days

               For absences in excess of 3 days, employees are required to submit medical
               documentation or other acceptable evidence of incapacity for work.

513.363  Extended Periods

               Employees who are on sick leave for extended periods are required to submit
               at appropriate intervals, but not more frequently than once every 30 days,
               satisfactory evidence of continued incapacity for work unless some
               responsible supervisor has knowledge of the employee's continuing
               incapacity for work.

513.364  Medical Documentation or Other Acceptable Evidence

               When employees are required to submit medical documentation pursuant to
               these regulations, such documentation should be furnished by the
               employee's attending physician ot other attending practitioner.  The
               documentation should provide an explanation of the nature of the employee's
               illness or injury sufficient to indicate to management that the employee was
               (or will be) unable to perform his or her normal duties for the period of
               absence.  Normally, medical statements such as "under my care" or "received
               treatment" are not acceptable evidence of incapacitation to perform duties.
               Supervisors may accept proof other than medical documentation if they
               believe it supports approval of the sick leave application.

513.365  Failure to Furnish Required Documentation

               If acceptable proof of incapacitation is not furnished, the absence may be
               charged to annual leave, LWOP, or AWOL.
 

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This site was created by Jack Ball.
Please address all comments and corrections to him at apwuqcy@adams.net