The Office of Personnel Management is encouraging agencies to let federal employees telework on hot days this summer.
OPM acting director Margaret Weichert issued a memo in which she reminded agencies of workplace flexibilities as the Washington, DC area faces an intense heatwave this week.
Weichert said in the memo:
During days with severe heat and humidity, agencies are reminded of OPM’s workplace flexibilities that may be used to reduce health risks. With supervisory approval and to prevent work disruptions, a telework-ready employee may telework from home on a day when air quality conditions are poor. Additionally, if permitted by agency policy, an employee working a flexible work schedule may choose to adjust arrival and departure times to avoid commuting during the hottest periods of the day. Employees may also request annual leave, earned compensatory time off, or credit hours on a day when severe heat and humidity are threatening to the employee’s health and welfare.
A copy of the memo is included below.
