We know that the Federal Disability Retirement process can be a long and stressful one. That’s why we want to remove any confusion that might be standing in the way of your peace of mind. One step that can lead to anxiety for lots of people is the Supervisor’s Statement response form, also called the SF3112B.
What is a 3112B?
The SF3112B is the part of your application for disability where you show that your agency has noticed your medical issue. Your supervisor will have the opportunity to review your attendance, conduct, and performance on the job and determine if it’s been acceptable.
We get lots of questions about this part of the application, so let’s clear up some of the most asked ones now.
Q: What does a good 3112B look like?
A: As strange as this might sound, a really good supervisor’s statement will show that your service has not been up to standard in performance, conduct, and or attendance. This is because you want to show that your agency agrees with your claim that you aren’t able to do your job well.
An example of a good supervisor’s statement might show that you’ve been on LWOP for months because of an illness, so your attendance is unacceptable. Or perhaps your performance is unacceptable because your medical doctor has restricted you to looking at a computer for just 20 minutes at a time and you can’t complete tasks on time.
Whatever the case may be, as long as your supervisor says that you’re deficient in one of these three areas, your form will be more successful.
Q: I’m worried if my supervisor identifies a deficiency in my work, I could be fired – will that happen?
A: Your 3112B is just for the OPM – so if it does show that you’re deficient in some way, it won’t get added to your agency file like a reprimand. And even if it does result in your supervisor writing you up or terminating you – which very rarely happens – it could make your case for Disability Retirement even stronger.
If you’ve been written up for or terminated for a medical inability to perform your job, it’s basically a statement from your agency straight to the OPM that says, “this employee’s medical issues aren’t compatible with work.” It’s strong evidence that your claims are accurate and believable.
Q: What if I’m friends with my supervisor? Or if I don’t know them at all? Will either affect my form?
A: Regardless of your level of familiarity with your supervisor, it’s very important that they fill out the statement.
If you’ve never met your supervisor in person, they’ll still be able to offer feedback from an agency perspective. That means they can help your case by representing the reality of your work capabilities.
On the other hand, if your supervisor is a close friend, you’ll want to make sure they know that their review should be fully honest. It’s vital that your application accurately reflects your abilities so the OPM can make an informed decision. It’s best to talk with your supervisor to explain this or have a legal representative discuss it with them over the phone.
Q: If my supervisor won’t fill out my 3112B, or they say I’ve been performing “fine,” what do I do?
A: Sometimes, despite communication with your supervisor, your 3112B still doesn’t turn out very supportive. Maybe they can’t identify an issue that fits well among the three main service deficiencies. Or maybe they won’t fill it out at all. But don’t worry – we’ve seen cases with weak 3112B’s get approved, so all hope isn’t lost. Remember, the 3112B is just one part of your claim, and your medical evidence and documentation will also pull weight.
Q: Can I see what my supervisor writes before it’s submitted?
A: While you may not always get to review the 3112B before it’s sent, we encourage open communication. If you’re working with us, we can offer guidance on what a supportive statement looks like and help you or your supervisor feel more comfortable with the process.
Q: Should I tell my supervisor what to write?
A: It’s important that the supervisor’s statement is honest and reflects their actual experience working with you. That said, it’s fine to explain the purpose of the form and what kinds of details the OPM is looking for – like how your medical condition has affected your attendance, performance, or conduct. A respectful conversation can go a long way.
Still feeling anxious about the process?
We’ve helped more than 10,000 federal workers with all kinds of medical conditions get approved for Disability Retirement, and we’ve learned what a strong case looks like.
Your 3112B is an important part of your application, and one that we can help you and your supervisor to fill out effectively. If you’re still worried about the prospect of filling out a 3112B, or you’re confused about the process, give our office a call today to set up a 100% free consultation and we’ll help you decide if Federal Disability Retirement is right for you.
