On December 9, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja released an updated Governmentwide Dismissal and Closure Procedures document to “assist agencies during emergencies, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, and other incidents or hazards that cause disruptions to Government operations.” Click here to read the updated guidance, or visit FMA’s Resources and Links page.

“In the Washington, D.C. area, OPM issues operating status announcements that apply to employees working in all Executive agencies with offices located inside the ‘Washington Capital Beltway,’” Ahuja wrote. “In the event of an area-wide work disruption, agencies should avoid taking independent action, because changes in the commuting hours of Federal employees can result in significant disruption of the highway and mass transit systems.” The memo notes announcements on the status of government operations in the DC area will be available on the OPM website and the mobile app.

Employees working in Federal agency offices located outside of the DC metro area “must follow the operating status announcements issued by their agency.” Workforce status decisions are generally made by field office heads, who communicate them to the agency headquarters, and employees are encouraged to keep an eye on their agency operating status, including telework, arrival and departure times, and leave requests.