Federal Agencies Closed in DC on Monday, Dec. 21

Heavy snow in the Washington, DC metropolitan area has resulted in the federal government closing on Monday, December 21st. Here is what this means for readers residing in the Washington metropolitan area.

Those readers who reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area know that it has snowed heavily over the weekend. The storm hitting the Washington region, with blizzard conditions at times, is the greatest December accumulation in more than 70 years.

And, no doubt, many readers are wondering if they will have to go to work on Monday as a result of the snowstorm.

Here is good news for those who may be wondering if they will have to get up and try to go to work on Monday morning. For most readers, the answer is "no." Federal agencies in the Washington, DC area are closed.

Here is the guidance from the Office of Personnel Management:

  • Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are closed. Nonemergency employees (including employees on pre-approved leave) will be granted excused absence for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. This does not apply to employees on leave without pay, leave without pay for military duty, workers’ compensation, suspension, or in another nonpay status.
  • Telework employees may be expected to work from their telework sites, as specified in their telework agreements.
  • Emergency employees are expected to report for work on time.
  • Employees on alternative work schedules are not entitled to another AWS day off in lieu of the workday on which the agency is closed.

Here is a copy of the Washington, DC Area Dismissal or Closure Procedures.