Relax. You have options to avoid the office. We have a half dozen folks in our group who dodged RTO with full time WFH Medical Accomodations. Townes Org.
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If you apply for JA with valid medical documentation in order to work from home, be prepared for management to bend over backwards and spend lots of money to give you ergonomic equipment and a new workspace in the office instead. They would rather have you sit in an isolation chamber at the office than let you work from home.
In my JA, the doctor requested several days off each week for 3 months. HR determined that a JA was not the best benefit to use in my situation, and recommended applying for Short Term Disability. After my Doctor approved this option and completed the paperwork, it was approved. Now I have the time off I need, with pay, to get the recoup time I need to return full time to my job. My sup didn't know about these benefits, so I called HROS, and got a rep who explained both to me. So when in doubt, call HROS and don't take advise from this site.
Ask your supervisor
T rejected my JA 2x bca my sup said it could not be approved as written. Each time my dr charged me to update it, there are a lot of questions only the dr can answer on the form. At over $80 each time it got expensive and i only got a few ours off each week approved for appts that i had to make up.
Keep in mind that every month you must re-certify. They ain't planin'.
Know that a JA has to be supported by your physician first (not a nurse, etc), and that it is not a guarantee for whatever they are requesting. Second, with a doctor requested JA you have to perform the 'essentials of your job' as defined by your department. 3rd, the department is only obligated to make 'reasonable accommodations' (this is all detailed on the government's web site). In the OP's case, and I know of similar ones, the 'reasonable accommodation' was to move the person to the cube nearest the restroom. A doctor supported JA is no guarantee, and a JA has to be renewed every year at a minimum. Most all physicians charge for completing the JA paperwork, which is not covered by insurance. In most all JAs that are approved by the department, few are granted exactly as written in terms of what is requested and for the duration. The system is designed with checks and balances to help those with true medical needs (includes HR and Legal reviews of JA agreements).
Yeah not buying it. I’ve seen people rejected even with dr notice. They don’t care.
Got a medical note from my doctor for irritable bowel syndrome and gave to my supervisor. I told her every time I get on Heidi’s morning call I get the sudden urge to take a $hit. I told her that it was somewhat manageable until recently. Now my IBS kicks in just thinking about the call on my way to work. Yesterday I got as far as Roxboro Rd and was white knuckling the steering wheel. I had to make a beeline to the bathroom. She approved the JA but said I should avoid discussing the details.
We also had some who were denied and told to take medical leave. Depends on who you know I suppose.
I need to get me one of them work accommodations