The Office of Personnel Management is encouraging agencies to allow federal employees in the Washington, DC area to telework starting today through the end of next week due to the presidential inauguration ceremonies taking place.
OPM said in a new memo that because of expected traffic congestion from January 15 to January 22 that may lead to commuting problems, federal agencies should permit federal employees “who might otherwise report to the normal agency worksite during this period to use all available workplace flexibility options.”
Federal employees in the capital region will get two paid holidays next week which will help. Monday, January 18 is the Martin Luther King Day holiday and Wednesday, January 20 is a holiday for Inauguration Day.
But for the other work days, OPM’s memo added, “OPM strongly encourages agencies to allow such employees to telework, where possible, to keep the Federal Government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and support law enforcement efforts during these events. 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 on January 15 through 22.”
OPM also said that any federal employees who do head into the office should allow extra time for their commute and ensure that they have proper identification to gain access to their office buildings.
