WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo to agencies releasing telework and alternative work schedule guidance for Federal employees who will be affected by the upcoming Platform Improvement Project by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The memo encourages agencies to communicate these procedures to its workforce and use them in a manner that has minimal impact on its mission and service to the American people.
OPM is encouraging agencies to permit excepted employees to telework more frequently and permit flexible start and stop times under a flexible work schedule. Agencies are being reminded of the policies and procedures on workplace flexibilities that were established during the 2016 and 2018 WMATA SafeTrack project and update them as necessary. “OPM has the best interest of the Federal workforce in mind. While this project will be an inconvenience for the time being, streamlined communications between WMATA and OPM will help ensure Federal employees are able to keep up the same level of service to the American people,” said Acting Director Margaret Weichert. OPM is taking several options into consideration for communicating language and messaging to the Federal workforce in hopes of having an informed population by the time construction begins.
WMATA will begin major platform work on May 25th to the six stations south of Reagan International Airport, along the blue and yellow lines, and continue until September 8th. WMATA will begin single tracking after September 8th to stations that have not yet been completed. WMATA acknowledges thousands of riders, many of whom are Federal employees, will be affected by this project but are taking measures to ensure riders still arrive to work in a timely manner. WMATA will be providing free shuttles to affected riders to metro stops just north of Reagan International, where riders will continue on rail lines from there.
OPM recently released the Telework and Dependent Care Guidance to Human Resource Directors.
The intent of this guidance on telework and dependent care is to provide Federal agencies with the appropriate tools to serve a contemporary workforce in a manner that meets the needs of employees while being responsive to agency mission requirements. The focus is on the use of telework as a workplace flexibility to support employees with caregiving responsibilities, especially minor children and/or adult dependents for whom an employee provides services essential to their health, well-being, and/or activities of daily living.
For more information, please visit Telework.gov’s Telework and Dependent Care webpage.
OPM recently released a to the Federal Holidays and Human Resources Flexibilities for Employees Located in the Washington, DC, Area during the Week of Inauguration memorandum to the Chief Human Capital Officer Council (CHCO).
In January 2017, most Federal employees in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area will have two holidays during the week of Inauguration: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Monday, January 16), and Inauguration Day (Friday, January 20). In addition, Federal employees who work in the downtown Washington, DC, area and its vicinity should expect significant commuting delays and travel disruptions on Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19 due to extensive road closures, mass transit changes, motorcades, and the establishment of security perimeters.
This memorandum provides guidance on how to administer the two Federal holidays and encourages agencies to allow employees to use human resources (HR) flexibilities to assist in alleviating traffic delays and congestion that may occur during the week's preparation for the January 20, 2017, inauguration events.
As we begin the 2016-2017 winter season, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) would like to take this opportunity to remind Federal departments and agencies of the Washington, DC, Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures guide. These Procedures reflect the principle that the Federal Government's vital business must continue without compromising the safety of our employees and the general public. Although the Procedures are typically issued in the winter, the announcements are applicable for any emergency or significant event that causes a disruption inside the "Washington Capital Beltway."
For more information, review the December 2, 2016 Washington, DC, Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures Memo and the 2015 Washington, DC, Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures guide.
We encourage you to get your annual flu shot this year! Recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for individuals 6 months of age and older, the flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The vaccine is especially important for people who are at increased risk of complications from influenza—young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and those with certain medical conditions—and their close contacts.
Watch OPM's Telework and Performance Management recorded webcasts to learn about necessary tools to successfully manage employees in a virtual environment. The first part of the series focuses on key steps for developing a successful telework strategy to ensure program success. The second part demonstrates how effective performance management can lead to organizational success in a virtual environment.
Managing in a Virtual Environment Part 1
Managing in a Virtual Environment Part 2
OPM recently released the Human Resources Flexibilities and Authorities for Federal Employees Affected by the Zika Virus memorandum. This memorandum has three attachments providing information and/or guidance from OPM, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They present current guidance on protecting workers from occupational exposure to the Zika virus and remind the Federal community of the various human resources flexibilities and authorities that may be available to help affected Federal employees.
OPM's Rebecca Ayers recently released the Employee Engagement On the Move blog. She discusses how as more and more of our colleagues telework or work remotely, it's even more important that we find ways to make them fully included partners in the work we do every day, and offers tips you can use to engage your remote workforce.
With NOAA’s prediction of a potentially active hurricane season, it remains critical that agencies be familiar with the wide range of Human Resources (HR) policies and flexibilities currently available to assist Federal employees affected by severe weather, natural disasters, and other emergency situations and make advance preparations in case use of these flexibilities should become necessary.
Read the Human Resources Flexibilities for Severe Weather, Natural Disaster, and other Emergency Situations Memo to learn about related telework, pay & leave benefits, Emergency Leave Transfer Program (ELTP), emergency critical hiring, and more.
In response to the Metro SafeTrack project, agencies should review their policies and procedures on the use of workplace flexibilities, including telework, to help mitigate commuting disruptions for their workforce. To help agencies during this time, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued Guidance on the Use of Telework during Metro SafeTrack Project.
On May 20, 2016, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memorandum to Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies regarding the impact of the Metro SafeTrack Project on Washington, DC, Area Federal Employees.
OPM recommends agencies review their policies and procedures on the use of workplace flexibilities during the SafeTrack project to help mitigate commuting disruptions. Additionally, OPM urges agencies to take steps to accurately monitor and track the use of telework and other workplace flexibilities during the project.
On Thursday, March 31 through Friday, April 1, 2016, President Obama will welcome world leaders from more than 50 nations and four international organizations at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. The Federal Government in the Washington, DC, area will remain “OPEN” during this period.
To help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is urging agencies to permit employees to use their workplace flexibility options. Accordingly, OPM strongly encourages agencies to allow employees to telework to keep the Federal Government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and support law enforcement efforts during this event. Employees may also request to use their alternative work schedule day off, annual leave, leave without pay, previously earned compensatory time off, and/or earned credit hours under a flexible work schedule.
For more details, read the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC Memorandum
OPM is pleased to present the 2014 Status of Telework in the Federal Government report, the third status report we have published since the signing of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. This report provides an overview of Federal telework programs and shows the continued progress of telework in the Federal Government.
While we know that the weather doesn’t always pan out as forecast, at OPM we try to make the best decision both to ensure your safety and that the work of the Federal government continues. Read OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert's Behind the Scenes blog to learn more about how operating status decisions are made.
"From telework to employee assistance programs to free preventive health programs, there are many resources and tools available to employees to help them succeed in their work and their personal lives."
In this blog, OPM Deputy Associate Director Steve Shih discusses the importance of work-life programs in the Federal Government and shares three ways agencies, leaders, and employees can support and practice work-life success.
Read the Celebrating a Culture of Work-Life Balance and Wellness today!
The 2014 - 2015 Telework Call for Data will be available in early November. The information in the call for data is required in the Telework Enhancement Act and is reported to Congress. Agency telework managing officers and telework coordinators who have been designated as the points of contact for the survey will be notified shortly via email and will be provided individual passwords to enter their data into a web-based form. For more information, review the 2014-2015 Telework Data Call Memo.
President Obama will welcome his Holiness Pope Francis to the Washington, DC metropolitan area on Tuesday, September 22 through Thursday, September 24. The Federal Government in the Washington, DC, area will remain “OPEN” during these 3 days.
To help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials, agencies are urged to permit employees to use their workplace flexibility options. Accordingly, OPM strongly encourages agencies to allow employees to telework to keep the government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and support law enforcement efforts during this event.
For more details, read the Impact of 2015 Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis on Washington, DC, Commuters memo.