It’s is a crime the way federal employees are treated by their own HR offices. The road blocks thrown up and total lack of communication between employee and HR is a bafflement beyond belief. After my forth back surgery since 2010 I found I was unable to perform most of the duties required of my job. Realizing that I was on the road to being dismissed I tried for a reasonable accommodation, of which I was denied by my previous supervisor. I asked a supervisor I respected about the process of a medical retirement and I was shocked to find out he had no information and had me call the HR office. I called and was met with no phone calls returned, and no e-mails answered. After weeks of constant calling, I finally got a call back and was told I had to fill out an immediate retirement request. When I received the form it was a very bad copy of a copy. I read though it and had questions as I saw nothing that pertained to a medical retirement. Going through the cycle of non-returned phone calls and e-mails I was blessed to have a new supervisor, which cared, hired full time in my unit. I approached the new supervisor and explained my situation. She called and got about the same run around as I was given. Fortunately she had remembered a federal retirement firm she went to a seminar for, and handed me his card. Making contact with him, we discussed my situation and he recommended me to the Harris Federal Law Firm.
It was mid April 2014 when I called Harris Federal, and they accepted me as a client. I was totally blown away by the timely, courteous, and sincere concern with my case. Mrs. Richardson took over my account after the previous counselor had moved on. It was seamless. I was given all the required forms to fill out. I was told what documentation I needed to send in. While the medical retirement package was being built, I was contacted at least weekly to update me on progress. All my phone calls and e-mails were answered promptly and courteously as I was never made to feel that I could not call any time with questions. My supervisor was told by the HR rep that processed the package to OPM that mine was the most complete and organized one she had ever seen. It felt like an eternity but it was actually six and a half months from first phone call to notification of my retirement request was accepted. Oct 31 2014 I was retired. There is absolutely no way I could have done this on my own. It was the best money I have ever spent. My eternal gratitude goes out to Mrs. Richardson and the rest of the Harris Federal Law Firm.