Federal Government in Washington Area Closed on Thursday

Federal agencies in the Washington, D.C. area are closed on Thursday because of a significant winter storm expected to bring snow, sleet and ice to the region overnight and into the morning rush hour.

Emergency workers and employees who telework should follow their agency’s policies, and are expected to work unless told otherwise.

The storm, which has already wreaked havoc in the southeastern part of the country, is expected to morph into a nor’easter as it moves up the East Coast over the next few days. Here is the full announcement from the Office of Personnel Management:

“FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC, area are CLOSED. Emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency's policies, including written telework agreements.

Non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved paid leave) will be granted excused absence (administrative leave) for the number of hours they were scheduled to work unless they are:

·  required to telework,

·  on official travel outside of the Washington, DC, area,

·  on leave without pay, or

·  on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off.

Telework-Ready Employees who are scheduled to perform telework on the effective day of the announcement or who are required to perform telework on a day when federal offices are closed must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both, in accordance with their agency's policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements.

Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.”