OPM clarifies leave policies for feds

The clarification from OPM aims to maintain government productivity in the event of disaster and to avoid a situation where federal workers leave their jobs en masse during inclement weather or another unusual event, creating chaos on the roads.

In late January when winter storms approached the Washington area, OPM encouraged managers and employees to consider teleworking. That guidance was a reaction to criticism leveled at OPM Director John Berry earlier that month, after thousands of federal workers leaving at their designated early departure times found themselves stuck in traffic for hours during the worst part of a snowstorm.

"OPM understands that it will take time to migrate toward incorporating unscheduled telework into their emergency policies, and we strongly encourage agencies to allow as many employees as possible to telework when unscheduled telework is announced," the March 3 memo said.

There are a range of arrival and departure times for federal employees because of the government's policies on flexible work schedules. Employees have staggered early departure times depending on when they arrive for work.

Thursday's memo also eases some reporting burdens for agencies. OPM is no longer asking agencies to provide telework data when it announces certain operating announcements for the government.

"After consultation with various agencies following the last dismissal announcements, OPM has decided to suspend this short-term collection of telework data and migrate toward a long-term approach," said the memo.

Last December, President Obama signed the 2010 Telework Enhancement Act, which gives agencies 180 days to establish a policy for working outside the office, identify eligible employees and inform them of the option. The law also requires agencies to name an official to manage telework programs, and incorporate the policy into plans for continuing essential services during natural disasters or other emergencies.