Weather Policy Revised

OPM has released its annual update of agency operating procedures in severe weather conditions in the nation’s capital area, guidance that serves as the model for policies in other areas, as well. While the policies are largely unchanged, one notable difference is that one of the options no longer will be for employees to stay off the roads until a designated time. Instead, employees will be expected to report to work no later than a designated time; they may arrive earlier. The former policy, which was put into effect only last year, caused confusion during a weather event early this year, OPM said. The other options range from agencies being open as normal to being fully closed. The new guidance also once again stresses that agencies should make sure that employees whose jobs lend themselves to telework have an agreement in place and that they actually telework at least occasionally in order to be ready for an emergency situation.