OPM has sent a reminder to agencies of the work scheduling flexibilities that may be used to reduce health risks to employees at times of severe heat and humidity, saying the government should “be proactive in protecting the health and well being of our employees.”
“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,” says a memo to agencies.
Also, agencies were encouraged to remind their employees of the need to remain adequately hydrated during severe heat. “Providing immediate and ready access to potable drinking water will help to protect the health and well-being of federal employees during severe heat and humidity,” the memo says.
It adds that 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.”
The memo directs attention to telework, leave and work scheduling policies on OPM’s site, as well as to government information about heat stress and related topics. OPM has issued similar memos in the past, most recently in 2012.