Reassignment is a form of reasonable accommodation that may be required if the following apply:
Barring undue hardship, the Postal Service may be required to reassign the employee as a reasonable accommodation of last resort if the RAC determines that no other reasonable accommodation will permit the employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her current position.
Where reassignment is or may be appropriate, the RAC should consult Human Resources (HR) personnel (such as the Field HR manager, Field Labor Relations manager, Complement coordinator, or HR generalist). For reassignments generally, consider the following types of positions:
The RAC must advise the employee that the Postal Service is prepared to explore reassignment to a vacant funded position for which he or she is qualified and for which his or her functional limitations can be accommodated; and invite the employee to indicate his or her preferences concerning the scope of the job search (see Exhibit 543, “Reassignment Questionnaire”).
Specific contractual agreements with the labor organizations control reassignment procedures for bargaining unit employees.
Note: The Postal Service is not obligated to pay relocation costs for a change in duty station that is for an employee’s benefit (see Handbook F–15, Travel and Relocation).
The employee may need reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the new position. You must note efforts to accommodate with reassignment on the Reasonable Accommodation Decision Guide (see Exhibit 213(b)).
Exhibit 543
Reassignment Questionnaire (page 1)
[Date]
[Employee Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Dear [Insert name]:
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, unless it will cause an undue hardship, the Postal Service attempts to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, which will allow them to perform the essential functions of their current positions. Where employees cannot be accommodated in their current positions, the Postal Service, as a last resort, attempts to reassign employees to a vacant funded position for which they are qualified and in which their work restrictions can be accommodated.
The Postal Service has determined that it cannot accommodate you in your current position. Therefore, it is prepared to explore reassignment (i.e., a lateral transfer or downgrade) as a potential reasonable accommodation. By engaging in this interactive process, the Postal Service does not guarantee the availability of a vacant funded position to which you may be reassigned.
Reassignment to nonbargaining unit positions is governed by the rules in Section 414.1 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual, and any other applicable provisions. Reassignment to bargaining unit positions is governed by the seniority provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
To help the Reasonable Accommodation Committee (RAC) identify a position to which you may be reassigned, please complete the attached questionnaire. The information you provide will help determine jobs for which you are qualified and parameters for conducting the job search.
You are advised that if Human Resources identifies and offers you a position based on the preferences indicated and you decline the position, the Postal Service has no further obligation to attempt to reassign you. Please respond within 14 days from your receipt of this letter.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Insert phone number].
[Signature of Decision Maker (Supervisor, Manager, or RAC Chairperson)]
[Typed Name of Decision Maker]
[Title]
cc: RAC file
Exhibit 543
Reassignment Questionnaire (page 2)
REASSIGNMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
- An initial search will be made for all vacant funded positions at your current grade level (or equivalent) within local commuting distance (ordinarily a 50-mile radius from current work location). First consideration will be given to positions at your grade level.
If you wish to alter the local commuting distance of the search, please identify the distance from your current work location you are willing to travel: _____ miles.
- If the Postal Service is unable to identify any equivalent vacant funded positions within the local commuting distance, are you willing to relocate, at your own expense (unless relocation reimbursement is otherwise approved for the position), for an equivalent position elsewhere within the Postal Service?
YES _____ NO _____
If you answered YES above, please identify the geographic locations where you would like the Postal Service to conduct an expanded search for equivalent positions:
_______
- If the Postal Service is unable to identify any equivalent vacant funded positions within your stated preferences, would you accept a voluntary downgrade into an accommodating position either locally or in the expanded search area identified above, with the understanding that you will not be provided any special saved grade or pay?
YES _____ NO _____
If you answered YES above, please identify the lowest grade you would accept and the geographic locations where you would like an expanded search for available lower-grade positions conducted:
___________
- Do you have any special knowledge, skills, or abilities you would like considered in the search for vacant funded positions? If so, please explain. Also, please provide the RAC with a current resumè, HERO Profile, or eCareer Candidate Profile:
_____
I have indicated my preferences above with understanding that a search for reassignment options will be conducted within the parameters I identified. I also acknowledge receiving a copy of this Questionnaire.
Employee Signature:____Date:______
