In the type of guidance that would apply as well to other city areas experiencing transit disruptions, OPM has told agencies to plan for making greater use of telework and other workplace flexibilities due to scheduled maintenance work on the Washington, D.C. area’s Metro rail system.
Certain portions of track and certain stations will be closed in segments starting in June and lasting into next year, causing expected disruptions in commuting as well as in getting around the city during the day.
“Agencies should immediately begin working with their supervisors, employees, and union representatives to discuss the use of workplace flexibilities and policies for the use of annual leave, leave without pay, previously earned compensatory time off, and/or earned credit hours under a flexible work schedule to alleviate the impact,” OPM said.
“Agencies should carefully review their current telework arrangements, determine whether employees are eligible to telework, renew telework agreements older than one year, and establish written agreements with interested employees who are eligible to telework. This may provide an opportunity for agencies to review and reassess their telework eligibility criteria to determine if changes are needed to their existing programs,” said OPM. “Similarly, agencies should review their policies for alternative work schedules.”
For their part, employees should plan on altering their commuting patterns if needed, it said.
OPM said it “does not anticipate the need for the widespread use of excused absence, and agencies are reminded that any excused absence provided should not be for an extended or indefinite period or on a recurring basis.” It further urged agencies to monitor the use of telework and other workplace flexibilities during the project, using the same criteria used for annual telework reporting.
