Absence Reporting

VERIZON EMPLOYEES

Absence Notification Process for Associates in New England IBEW Locations

Below is a summary of the absence notification process you should follow when you are not at work due to illness or injury. Please save this information for future reference in a convenient location.

1. Absence Notification - Day One Through Day Seven
   Call your immediate supervisor or absence administrator, as applicable for your work group. Please make this call prior to the start of your scheduled work time to let them know you will not be at work due to illness or injury. This gives your supervisor and work group time to make adjustments in the day’s workload.
   • Provide the following information when you call:
   • Date of absence (Note: If you are going to be absent for more than one day, please be sure to let your supervisor know when you expect to return to work. In addition, if your illness does continue for more than one day, be sure to check in with your supervisor each day before your work schedule begins to provide an update on the status of your illness.)
   • Reason for absence (personal illness or injury, care of qualified family member, work-related illness or injury, etc.)
   • Whether your absence is a new absence, or is related to a previously reported intermittent absence (Note: Please provide the FMLA certification start date if there are multiple certifications.)
   • Your can be reached number
   • Your work city and state
2. Absences Beyond Seven Calendar Days
   Call MetLife at (800) 638-4228 if your illness or injury continues for more than seven calendar days (or, is a relapse within 14 calendar days of a previous disability absence). This call should be made on or before the eighth calendar day of your absence. If your absence is a relapse within 14 calendar days of a previous disability, you need to call MetLife immediately.
3. FMLA Claims Process
   The Absence Reporting Center (ARC) is automatically notified of your absence. Either an FMLA application package or an ineligibility letter will be placed in the mail to your home address within two business days. There is no need for you to call the ARC, UNLESS you don’t receive a package within five business days. If you don’t receive a package, you can call 1-877-Ask-VzHR (1-877-275-8947), select the absence administration option from the IVR menu, and follow the prompts to speak to a customer service representative.
   
   NOTE: If you have changed your address in VZESS just prior to your absence, you may want to contact 1-877-Ask-VzHR (1-877-275-8947), absence administration and follow the prompts to talk to a customer service representative to verify that the FMLA team has your most current address as VZESS may take a few weeks to update the FMLA system.
   
   At anytime, you can contact 1-877-Ask-VzHR (1-877-275-8947), absence administration and follow the prompts to talk to a customer service representative with general questions on FMLA or to check the status of your claim.
4. Work-related Absences
   If you are absent due to a work-related illness or injury, your supervisor will notify MetLife at (800) 638-4228 on your behalf on the first day of your absence.

Keep in mind that OSHA and State Workers' Compensation Laws mandate reporting of all occupational injuries/illness incidents. All incidents/accidents must be reported to the Compliance Safety Center within 24 hours. For more information on reporting a work-related incident go to: http://hr.verizon.com/staff/views/accident.shtml.