Agencies have discretion to swear in and onboard new employees remotely for the duration of the Coronavirus emergency, OPM has said.
Agencies may administer the oath of office through video connections and require new employees to send an electronic version of the signed document—electronic signatures allowed—preferably within three business days, a memo says.
“Other forms required or used in the onboarding process (e.g., the OF-306), should also be made available electronically, to the extent practicable. The HR specialist or designee will review all electronic documents collected as part of the onboarding process and add them to the employee’s electronic personnel file and Official Personnel Folder,” it says.
Regarding remote onboarding, it says that HR and CIO offices should collaborate “to determine the best options. HR specialists shall request that the employee send electronic versions of all signed forms and documents via e-mail to the agency within three business days of the onboarding process. The HR specialist should review these forms and documents and add them to the employee’s electronic personnel file and Official Personnel Folder.”
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