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Show 16 Dec. 7, 1995 Hilltop Times MAILHANDLER PARTICIPANTS I mm Ni II Call 621 - 1740 HOURS: 9:00 Or. Kevin A. Roberts, iy p HEADACHE Fri. J FAIN BETWEEN SHOULDERS . lx I 1 ... II I STIFFNESS OF NECK - MWFW. JOINTS Workers compensation claims, problems Civilian Personnel Division PAIN M ARMS OR LESS NFlSSSl M NERVOUSNESS The quality goes in before the name goes ori tv I g I S Entitlements and Benefits Office handles by Gaylene Brown 924 24th St., Suite 2 Ogden DC mi WARNING Roberts Chiropractic Center Palmer Graduate I 8 DANGER SIGNALS P.M. AM-5:0- 0 Mon.. Tues., Wed., stkl l I 5 On-Scre- en MenuDiSla RtcetvofAMomtor VINtMM Remote Control 181 Cnatwel Tuning Sleep Tim Audio. Video Input Jacks Most workers' compensation claims are legitimate and employees return to work as soon as possible. However, for employees who think compensation is a "free ride," there's a high probability program abuse will be discovered. The Federal Employees Compensation Act provides workers' compensation benefits to federal civilian employees for injury or illness that occurs at work. Anyone injured on the job should notify a supervisor immediately. The Entitlements and Benefits Section of Civilian Personnel forwards the claim to the Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP). OWCP is responsible for approving or disapproving claims, medical bill payment and compensation payment. The Entitlements and Benefits Section and OWCP help employees with their injury or illness, assure proper medical treatment and work toward a successful return to job-relat-ed work. y ' VCR with 1VHS1 u 'r-Jf-- r Timw Owe Sun loMnfl RwnoCoTt WianlTmlteSfO'AaioDqiiaiPaaniliaouaj $k null " "N- I I 1 J KT" no ms. mi aaeH hi MtoMcM.t ' III . n. wcirv hoot lafiivwaiw j f)ini..-r- r .upw. circuuiwi nnriM - M li IH nea' L-- Y trVftimvftw ixnu M. Smm SCQO ONLY ww w for toe paw -- J 1 HfTM woffw wtcuwtui Y mm S wcamit i . lir Y 14 -- '- MtatM.k.cM srsssr Ma T "" ... iioit Mile,' inter ones. rr '? I 3 mi i f -- 1,17 CmliitrW a Jbr - I T n file. GEHeavy Duty Washer & Dryer Pair! ---- pg I ' I iliHn 79" 77 ? 1 SHAWM t ITp II 9MckT&(P T AXfT Rwwt Control VHSVC1IM0'fti-SenPwii'lfBDiMii.Un- rr"""-"-Ti Surround wfth TVVCft SUPER Pllpll Control HQ & Remote Many injured employees are placed on a "light-duty- " position. Medical documentation that the employee may return to their present position or isn't expected to return to full duty is required for continued light-dutplace ment consideration. If there is any question regarding the medical information or recommended treatment, other medical personnel a second-opinioreferral, district medical director or a medical specialist may evaluate the employee or the medical LMOI OVEN 3Tst & Washington Blvd. ""'"" 23cSJ?r3II?M 394-888- 3 The Office of Workers Compensa- tion has contracted with local registered nurses and may assign team can answer questions or problems the claimant may have with the compensation program. Recent home visits resulted in five claimants being reemployed, three referrals for investigation and 12 referrals for second medical opinions. OWCP, the Inspector' General's Office and the Office of Special Investigations are active partners in maintaining the integrity of the injury compensation program. Additionally, the Air Force has authorized a special investigator at each air logistics center to help contain rising compensation costs. Claimants convicted of fraudulently claiming or obtaining benefits will lose entitlements, wage loss compensation and other benefits payable under FECA. Federal law provides a fine of up to $10,000 or up to five years imprisonment, or both, or a fine of $10,000 and 10 years for conspiracy to commit fraud. Anyone convicted could also be subject to Air Force disciplinary action, including removal Rules on restored leave tougher by Nancy Valenskl Civilian Personnel Division This is the time of year when many employees and supervisors begin the "use or lose shuffle." Employees may have put off using their leave, either for their own reasons, or at management's request, and are now faced with trying to use the leave during a peak or continuing heavy workload. Supervisors are reminded of the Ogden Air Logistics Center commander's policy letter dated March 20, stating that with proper scheduling and use of leave, there should not be a need to restore leave for exigency purposes. Numerous requests from the 1994 leave year showed a lack of proper scheduling and little effort to reschedule leave where necessary. This year, base officials expect few requests for leave restoration will meet the approval criteria. Heavy workloads, special projects, manning reductions, and areas with no back-uor alternates have become a way of life. It is imperative that supervisors manage resources effectively. Restoration of annual leave compounds workload and leave scheduling problems because employees are required to use the restored leave, as well as ine next years accrual. Restored p S3 them to help an injured employee, the private physician and the employer. Nurses accompany the injured employee to all medical appointments and treatments. The nurses program was established in 1993 and has been very successful in assuring proper medical treatment and return to work for the injured employee. Another service, the Home Visit Program, allows the OWCP to stay in touch with injured employees and provide positive contact. Agency personnel, OWCP claims examiners and representatives from the Office of Special Investigations meet with claimants in their homes. The Home Visit rial burden in civilian payroll dollars if employees decide to retire before using the restored leave. An article on page 1 of the Nov. 2 Hilltop Times advised employees who were saving their use or lose leave in anticipation of separating or retiring under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority or the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment and didn't separate or retire, regardless of the reason, would forfeit their use or lose leava The use or lose leave won't be restored or carried over. An exigency should be a rare occurrence. Management must look for ways to effectively manage workload with a reduced workforce and allow employees to use scheduled leave. Employees must schedule leave effectively throughout the year, rather than approaching the year end with a large number of use or lose hours. Employees who find themselves in a use or lose crunch might also consider an alternate solution donating their leave to who have serious medical problems. Excess use or lose leave can be donated through the Voluntary Leave Share Program to approved recipients. Donor forms are available in the Entitlements and Benefits Office, Bldg. 1245. rur more lniormation call Nanette DAMAGED COPY j - rs loimes. Ext. |