by Brianna Crandall — December 12, 2012—The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently held its annual briefing on Washington, DC, area dismissal and closure procedures in anticipation of the winter weather months. The agency released explanations of the procedures so federal employers and employees are prepared ahead of a winter weather event or other emergency, and understand the dismissal/closure status as broadcast by the media. Changes in the procedures reflect the growing incidence and importance of teleworking in the federal government.
During the briefing, OPM discussed revisions to previous status messages and announced a new policy addition to the list of dismissal options that instructs employees to stay off of the roads until a certain time because of unsafe conditions. This option was informally implemented during the 2011-2012 winter season to help ensure the safety of federal employees preparing to commute into work and to ease the effect of the vast number of federal drivers on DC-area congestion.
Further, OPM stressed the need for agencies and employees to discuss telework policies and agreements to ensure government operations continue even if government offices are closed. Additionally, the previous “Federal Offices are Closed to the Public” option was edited to “Federal Offices are Closed—Emergency and Telework-Ready Employees Must Follow Their Agency’s Policies” as a result of feedback from agencies and employees during Hurricane Sandy.
Teleworking is currently a voluntary option for federal employees, but a written agreement prior to commencing regular telework includes the requirement to work if already scheduled on days that government offices are closed. Other federal employees have agreed to “unscheduled teleworking” on days the government is closed. OPM is encouraging federal agencies to increase this second group by incorporating a third group of workers who are telework-prepared but not required to work when offices are closed, so that the third group will also work during closures and thus ensure greater continuity of federal services.
“The concern in deciding the operating status of federal offices in Washington, DC, is to ensure the safety and well-being of the federal workforce community during emergent events and continuity of operations while continuing critical services the American people depend on. As we saw last winter, it can be important to advise employees as early as possible to stay off the roads until it is expected to be safe,” said OPM Director John Berry. “We’re also counting on each of you, our employees, to proactively plan what each status will mean for your workday and commute. Take the opportunity now to review the status updates and speak to your supervisors about telework options and requirements. Do not wait for an emergency to find out what to do.”
Additionally, OPM reviewed the process for making dismissal decisions, and emphasized that the dismissal decisions are made in conjunction with many other partners in the region, including DC, Maryland and Virginia governments and WMATA. This collaboration ensures that Director Berry has all of the information necessary before announcing the status of the federal government in the National Capital Region.
The National Weather Service discussed the forecast for the upcoming winter weather season, and they predict a typical winter for the National Capital Region, which often entails ice-covered roads.
For more information on OPM’s Washington, DC, Area Dismissal and Closure Procedures, or to view the current operating status, visit the OPM Web site.
