Snowy weather telework and leave rules reissued
- By FederalSoup Staff
- Nov 12, 2019
Wind and snow and icy temperatures have gripped much of the country this week. Perhaps just in time, the Office of Personnel Management just this month is issuing a reminder to help employees across the federal government know what to do in the event of a weather event.
“Weather and safety leave is a form of paid absence provided under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 6329c,” the OPM notice reminds feds. “Agencies may grant weather and safety leave only when employees are prevented from safely traveling to or from, or safely performing work at, an approved location due to an act of God[.]”
What is an “act of God”? OPM defines it as “an act of nature, such as a severe snowstorm, earthquake, etc.” Their list also includes a “terrorist attack.”
In the end, OPM notes, an act of God includes for feds these or any other such “condition that prevents employees from safely traveling to or from, or safely performing work, at an approved location.”
“Employees should contact their agency human resources office for further information on the implementation of the procedures,” the document states.
The rulebook—“Governmentwide dismissal and closure procedures”—actually covers far more than just snow days. It offers links to procedures regarding the four different types of leave: administrative leave, investigative leave, notice leave and weather and safety leave.