conTaacr TALK eRMS and “Deems Desirable” nioprise Resource Managemen! Sytem (eRMS} isa web-based application that management uses t0 track numerous employee attendancerelated records, Dems Desirable” is a funtion within RMS. The term Doems Desirableis derived irom the Rmployee Labor Management Manual (ELM) Section 513.38, Medical documentation for absences of three days or less, "ven the supervisor deems documentation esirablefor the protection ofthe interests ofthe Postal Ser RMS and the Deems Desirable function are available ‘only to installstionsthat utilize Interactive Voice Response VR Call Agent or Attendance Control Supervisors (ACS) Aorecord employee absences A supervisors able to place ‘an employee in the Deems Desirable category by selecting ‘range of dates for which would be appbeable. As an ex ‘ample, a supervisor may solect a ange of Api] through ‘Ociober 3, indicating thatthe employee willbe required to provide medical documentation forall requests for un- scheduled leave made through IVRor ACS during these lected dine period. Tnaddtion w arange of dates, a supervisor may also se lect specific dates to categorize an employee as Deems Desirable. For example, a supervisor may select June 1 and/or July 5. Ifthe eraplayee calls in on one ofthese days, the Deems Desirable function will be activated and the employee will be instructed to provide medical doci- ‘meatation for the absence, Despite thisnew eMRS function, Deems Desirable does ot supercede nor supplant the National Agreement— specifically Ariel 19, and through i ELM Section 513261, ‘which sates, in por, that medical documentation a other acceptable evidence of incapacity for works not required for absences o three days or fewer unless: the epoyee's on restictd sick leave (see 51339) or ‘he the supervisor deems documentaton desirable forthe protection ofthe inress ofthe Postal Sora. . [and/or whan} substantiation of the family relation ‘tn. soauestod. ‘The two most common disputes arse over the “restricted sick lave” and “desirable fr the protection ofthe Postal Service” portions of Section 513.361, The JCAM provides the following overviews on these tw issu: [NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS Rostricted Sick Leave. Management may lace an om ployee in “resite sic ave” status, requiring medical dacumantation to support avery application for sick leave, ) management has “evdence indicating that an empioyee is abusing sick leave orileges” or () I ‘management reviews te employee’ sick eae usaga on anindviual basis, rst dscusses the mat wit the er lays and tharwse follows the requirements of ELM Section 513.394 Requests for medical ocunertaton for"prtecton ofthe interests of the Postal Service” Numorous disputes hav arisen ovar situations which «suparisor has roquirad an empioyoo notin rosctod Sok lave stats to provide medical documentation or an ines of hae day oF less. General, to change such a docsion successfully th union should damon- ‘tate thatthe supervisor acted abiarly,caprelous)y or nase ot eee eran Ocean a ical documtaton Tho union shaul bproard ip show fat giants a good vals aver and fan employee believes he or she has been incorrecty required to provide medical documentation 2s a result of being categorize as Deems Desirable, he or she should discuss theissue with a steward a soon as possible, Stew- ars willhave to deve into thiselectronie woe and review the various logs, records and other les associated with ‘eRMS and Deems Desirable. Any information request should inch all records, files and/or documentation used in association with eRMS/Deems Desirable as ap- plcabe tothe employee, These reports ine, but are not Tnited to, the Leave Usege Log List, dhe Removed Leave ‘Log List ad the Denied Leave Log List Aitional references regarding whether requests for medical documentation were proper are: 1) Step IN— ‘M0704, 2) MRS—Medical Certiication Section, and 3) JCAM—Articls 10, Leave Medical Certification, pages 10- 2. Stewards should be aware of tis: Just because man agement has come up with anew computer system for hare dling unscheduled absences, it in no way alters the provisions of the National Agreement. a APRIL 2007 | POSTAL RECORD 35