General

As with any illness, any medical diagnosis by a supervisor is very problematic and shouldbe avoided.  However, when a supervisorobserves an employee exhibiting signs of illness, he or she may express generalconcern regarding the employee’s health and remind the employee of his or herleave options for seeking medical attention, such as requesting sick or annualleave.  Employees on approved sick orannual leave will continue to be paid during their absence.  Although leave is generally voluntary, anagency may direct an employee to take leave.Directing an employee to take leave may constitute enforced leave, whichis an adverse action (see discussion in next question).  Also see discussion on alternative workarrangements in Part II-A.