OPM grants excused absences for DC-area feds on Monday

Federal government offices in the Washington, D.C. area will be closed to the public Monday. Non- emergency employees will be granted excused absence (admini...

By Julia Ziegler
Federal News Radio

Federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area will be closed to the public Monday.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, 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, D.C., area,
  • on leave without pay, or
  • on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off.

Employees who are scheduled to telework or who are required to perform unscheduled telework on a day when federal offices are closed to the public must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both, in accordance with their agencies’ policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements.

Emergency employees are expected to report to their worksites unless otherwise directed by their agencies.

Technically, the government won’t be shut down Monday since emergency personnel and teleworkers are still on duty. OPM uses the term “closed to the public” to make that distinction.

OPM Director John Berry sent a memo to federal human capital heads reminding them of flexibilities in place to help feds facing a natural disaster.

Many public transportation outlets used by federal employees in the D.C. region have already canceled service for Monday. Some federal buildings outside of D.C. are also closed. View the full list of closures and delays.

The New York City Federal Executive Board also has decided to close federal buildings in that area on Monday. FEBs in Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore are also recommending closures for Monday. Federal News Radio is contacting all Federal Executive Boards in cities outside of D.C. to determine federal operating statuses for those regions as well.

If your agency’s operating status is affected by the storm, please let Federal News Radio know by email, Facebook, Twitter (use hashtag #fedclosings) or by commenting on this story. Sign up for Federal News Radio’s breaking news email to be alerted if/when we learn of agency operating status changes.

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