HHS Limits Telework; CDC Urges Employees to Skip Accommodation Process
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing significant challenges due to a recently implemented policy by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding telework for employees with disabilities. This policy introduces strict regulations, requiring that all telework, remote work, or reassignment requests receive approval from officials at the assistant secretary level or above. This change is expected to slow down the accommodation process for those employees who depend on such arrangements.
New HHS Telework Policy Sparks Concern
The HHS policy limits the use of telework as a temporary accommodation while processing requests for reasonable accommodations. The CDC, currently handling a backlog of over 3,000 such cases, has started to allow temporary medical telework in certain situations, adopting an informal approach. Four CDC employees revealed that supervisors have instructed staff to send medical documentation directly to Lynda Chapman, the agency’s chief operating officer, to expedite decisions on interim telework requests, which can last up to 30 days.
- CDC employees can request temporary telework by emailing medical documentation to Lynda Chapman.
- This informal process aims to bypass traditional review systems mired in backlog.
- Interim telework is granted primarily for surgery recovery, pregnancy, and chemotherapy cases.
Concerns About Policy Implementation
Several employees expressed concerns about assigning a non-medically trained official to evaluate health needs. Employees noted that during recent “office hours,” CDC officials shared details about the new reasonable accommodation process but instructed supervisors against engaging in legal discussions regarding disability rights. This limitation has raised questions about compliance with federal disability laws.
Under the new HHS policy, existing telework agreements, especially those granted as interim accommodations, will not be renewed. Employees may have to either return to the office or take leave, a situation that many supervisors equated to a denial of their requests. During the sessions, supervisors were also encouraged to consider obtaining professional liability insurance due to concerns of legal exposure.
Reactions from Senate Democrats
In response to these developments, several Senate Democrats, led by Senators Tim Kaine and Raphael Warnock, issued a letter expressing serious concerns about the HHS policy. They argue that the policy will disproportionately affect employees with disabilities, including those with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems. Specific incidents highlighted in the letter include a case of an employee with a high-risk pregnancy whose telework accommodation was revoked just before her return to work, causing a medical emergency.
The senators emphasized that the federal government must adhere to laws preventing discrimination against workers with disabilities and to actively promote their employment. They demanded a comprehensive response from HHS to address these troubling issues.
CDC Statement on Accommodations
An HHS spokesperson clarified that although interim telework accommodations can be provided, there are stringent processes in place. They affirmed the commitment to processing reasonable accommodation requests swiftly.
The ongoing adjustments by the CDC amidst the new HHS telework policy reflect the need for careful balancing of operational requirements and employee rights. As the situation evolves, the impact on employees needing accommodations remains a vital issue for stakeholders at all levels.
