Company System Access While Disabled
Your rights to access FedEx systems during disability leave
Company System Access While Disabled
One of the important but often overlooked provisions in the CBA ensures you maintain access to company systems while on disability.
Your Rights (CBA Section 27.J.19)
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement:
"During the period that a pilot is on disability, the pilot shall have access to Company communications systems including pilot.fedex.com, PRISM and Company email."
This guarantees your continued access to:
- pilot.fedex.com - Company pilot portal
- PRISM - Scheduling and bid system
- Company email - Your @fedex.com email address
Why This Matters
Stay Informed
Company communications:
- Policy updates and changes
- Benefit information
- Union communications
- Return-to-work opportunities
Critical during disability:
- Changes to benefit plans
- Updates to sick bank policies
- Medical certification requirements
- Company reorganizations
Access Important Information
Through these systems you can:
- View and download pay stubs
- Access tax documents (W-2s)
- Check sick bank balances
- Review benefit enrollments
- Monitor company announcements
Plan Your Return
PRISM access allows:
- View bid schedules
- Monitor seat availability
- Plan return-to-work timing
- Understand current operations
Maintain Connection
Staying connected helps:
- Maintain professional relationships
- Stay current on company culture
- Remain engaged with your profession
- Reduce feeling of isolation
What You Can Access
pilot.fedex.com
Portal includes:
- Company news and updates
- Flight operations information
- Training resources
- Safety information
- Benefits information
- Contact directories
Use for:
- Staying informed on company policies
- Accessing training materials for return prep
- Contacting appropriate departments
- Reviewing operational updates
PRISM
System provides:
- Crew scheduling information
- Bid results and seat assignments
- Trip trading (when applicable)
- Schedule preferences
- Contact with crew scheduling
Use for:
- Planning return to work
- Understanding current seat availability
- Monitoring bid cycles
- Preparing for return-to-duty scheduling
Company Email (@fedex.com)
Email access allows:
- Receive company-wide communications
- Contact HR and benefits departments
- Correspond with chief pilots
- Receive union communications
- Stay connected with colleagues
Use for:
- Official correspondence
- Benefits questions
- Return-to-work coordination
- Maintaining professional connections
What If Access Is Lost?
Common Issues
Your access may be disabled if:
- IT systems automatically deactivate inactive accounts
- Administrative error occurs
- Extended disability triggers automatic lockout
- System doesn't recognize disability status
How to Restore Access
Step 1: Contact IT Help Desk
Phone: [FedEx IT number from internal directory]
Email: [IT support email]
Information needed:
- Employee ID
- Name and contact information
- Systems affected
- Disability start date
Step 2: Reference CBA Section 27.J.19
Inform them:
- You're on approved disability leave
- CBA Section 27.J.19 guarantees access
- Request immediate restoration
Step 3: Escalate If Needed
If IT doesn't restore access immediately:
- Contact your supervisor or chief pilot
- Explain situation
- Reference CBA provision
- Request intervention
- Contact HR/Benefits
- FedEx Benefits Service Center: 1-855-545-4748
- Explain access issue
- Reference disability status and CBA
- Contact ALPA
- ALPA R&I committee
- File grievance if needed
- Request expedited resolution
Documentation
Keep records of:
- When access was lost
- Who you contacted
- When you contacted them
- Responses received
- Steps taken to restore
This documentation may be needed for grievance or to show good-faith effort.
Best Practices While on Disability
Regular Check-Ins
Maintain routine:
- Check email weekly
- Review pilot portal monthly
- Monitor PRISM for relevant updates
- Stay current on company news
Benefits:
- Ensures you don't miss important deadlines
- Keeps you informed of changes
- Maintains your connection
- Eases return-to-work transition
Security Considerations
Protect your access:
- Don't share login credentials
- Use secure connections
- Log out when finished
- Report suspicious activity
- Update passwords regularly
Remember:
- Your access is for legitimate purposes
- Don't violate company policies
- Maintain confidentiality
- Use systems appropriately
Communication Tips
When using company email:
- Maintain professional tone
- Use for work-related communication
- Be mindful you're still employed
- Document important correspondence
Appropriate uses:
- Benefits questions
- Return-to-work coordination
- Policy clarification
- Official company business
Avoid:
- Personal use beyond reasonable limits
- Controversial communications
- Anything that could jeopardize your position
Using Access for Your Benefit
Document Your Employment
Before access is lost (precautionary):
- Download pay stubs (last 36 months)
- Save W-2 forms
- Screenshot sick bank balances
- Save benefits summaries
- Download relevant policies
Store securely:
- Cloud storage (encrypted)
- External hard drive
- Physical copies of critical documents
Monitor Your Benefits
Regular checks:
- Sick bank balances
- Benefits enrollment status
- Life insurance status
- Health insurance status
- Pension contributions
Why it matters:
- Catch errors early
- Verify deductions
- Ensure continuity of benefits
- Plan financially
Prepare for Return
Use access to:
- Review current procedures
- Update emergency contacts
- Review training requirements
- Understand return-to-duty process
- Contact appropriate departments
Special Situations
Long-Term Disability (Years)
Even on extended disability:
- Access should continue
- May need periodic reauthorization
- Contact IT if issues arise
- Reference CBA if challenged
Partial Return to Work
If working part-time or modified duty:
- Full access should continue
- May need adjustment to PRISM based on schedule
- Coordinate with crew scheduling
- Maintain email access
Leave of Absence vs. Disability
CBA provision is specific to disability:
- Other leaves may have different rules
- Disability status gives you stronger rights
- Ensure your status is properly documented
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Password Reset Problems
If you can't reset password:
- Contact IT help desk directly
- May need to verify identity by phone
- Reference employee ID and disability status
VPN Access
For remote access:
- You may need VPN credentials
- Contact IT to verify VPN is enabled
- Follow standard security procedures
Multi-Factor Authentication
If MFA is required:
- Ensure phone number is current
- Set up backup authentication methods
- Contact IT if token issues occur
Mobile App Access
pilot.fedex.com mobile app:
- Should continue working
- May need to re-authenticate
- Update app if not working
Rights vs. Privileges
What's Guaranteed
CBA-protected access:
- pilot.fedex.com
- PRISM
- Company email
Must be maintained during disability
What's Not Guaranteed
Other systems may be restricted:
- Active flight line access
- Certain operational systems
- Training systems requiring currency
- Systems limited to active flying status
Use discretion:
- Access only what you need
- Don't attempt to access restricted systems
- Follow company policies
If Access Is Denied
Grievance Process
If company refuses access:
- Document the denial
- Who denied access
- When and how communicated
- Reason given
- Reference CBA
- Section 27.J.19 is clear
- Access is a right, not a privilege
- Contact ALPA
- File formal grievance
- Request expedited process
- Document impact of denial
- Escalate quickly
- This is an active rights violation
- Should be resolved immediately
Resources
- FedEx IT Help Desk: Internal directory
- FedEx Benefits Service Center: 1-855-545-4748
- ALPA R&I Committee: For CBA enforcement
- CBA Section 27.J.19: Full text of access provision