DOD extends telework flexibility through summer
- By Sherkiya Wedgeworth
- Dec 03, 2020
In support of efforts and best practices to help the Department of Defense minimize risk to its civilian personnel and their families, DOD employees may continue to telework with a child or family dependent at home, the agency recently announced.
The Office of Personnel and Management has released several guidance documents during the coronavirus pandemic advising federal agencies on how to navigate and develop workforce contingency plans.
OPM advised agencies to take into account factors such as school closures, the age and care needs of employee dependents, whether there were other capable adults in the household and the employee's ability to perform work when not needed for other care duties. Under normal circumstances, civilian teleworkers may not care for others while working from home.
The work flexibility was set to end Dec. 31, 2020, but last week the agency extended it through June 30, 2021.
“Employees must still account for work and non-work hours during their tours of duty and take appropriate leave (paid or unpaid) to account for time spent away from normal work-related duties,” the memorandum states.