Posted by GAO Study: The Program for Reassessing Work Provided to Injured Postal Employees Is Under Way, but Actions Are Needed to Improve Program Management
In fiscal year 2008, the United States Postal Service (Service) had about 748,000 employees, representing about 25 percent of all federal employees. These employees also accounted for about 42 percent of all federal traumatic workplace injuries and occupational illnesses (injuries).
According to Service officials, the high rate of employee injuries arises largely from the often physically demanding, industrial, and highly repetitive nature of their work. Some injured employees recover from their injuries quickly and return to work without medically prescribed physical restrictions (medical restrictions), while others require long-term, modified work assignments to accommodate their medical restrictions.
Based on our analysis, there were between 50,000 and 60,000 postal employees, or about 7 to 8 percent of the Service’s workforce, in these assignments at some point during fiscal year 2008, the most recent year for which complete data were available. Not included in this number are employees with workplace injuries who have medical restrictions that preclude them from returning to work for the Service in any capacity.
Source: GAO
hello,
a former coworker forwarded this article to me but was unable to identify its origin. i arrived at your site as the result of a Google search
i would like to know exactly who the “Service officials” are who attribute employee injuries to the specified causes. thank you.
The ‘Service Officials’ mentioned in the article are apparently USPS officials. The study was completed by the GAO and they (GAO) were apparently quoting USPS.
I have been off work since 7/31/2009 without any pay. I was told by management that they were canceling my limited duty assignment and they did not have to provide we with light duty work . Please help me because my local union has done nothing. WMAL Transportation Craft Director