OPM Guidance on COVID-19

[Anonymous]

I?m a permanent teleworkers. The scenario about which I am most concerned is one where my son?s preschool closes due to someone in the community testing positive but there is no quarantine . I would have to burn through my leave to take care of my kid but we would have to stay in the house because he and I are carriers. FTR, I have no problem taking care of my kid, but a 3 year old needs to go outside to run and play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I?m a permanent teleworkers. The scenario about which I am most concerned is one where my son?s preschool closes due to someone in the community testing positive but there is no quarantine . I would have to burn through my leave to take care of my kid but we would have to stay in the house because he and I are carriers. FTR, I have no problem taking care of my kid, but a 3 year old needs to go outside to run and play.

Apt? Explain to your neighbors now that they will hear him running indoors which is better than walking through the halls shedding virus.

House? Do whatever you can. During a blizzard, my kids ran the stairs until they were breathless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

It?s not just to save older white collar workers. It?s to save the 60 year old admin who is raising her grandkids or the 60 year old cleaner whose family abroad is dependent on her remitting her wages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I?m a permanent teleworkers. The scenario about which I am most concerned is one where my son?s preschool closes due to someone in the community testing positive but there is no quarantine . I would have to burn through my leave to take care of my kid but we would have to stay in the house because he and I are carriers. FTR, I have no problem taking care of my kid, but a 3 year old needs to go outside to run and play.

Yes...a nice long lunch time outside and a few short breaks during your workday. I can't imagine anyone is going to complain about that if there are quarantines. Now that it is light later there is after work too.

[Anonymous]

we're what, two weeks away from a quarantine? virus is loose in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

It?s not just to save older white collar workers. It?s to save the 60 year old admin who is raising her grandkids or the 60 year old cleaner whose family abroad is dependent on her remitting her wages.

Okay, but still. I think it?s a hard sell getting people to use personal leave because of a virus that will have a more adverse affect others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we're what, two weeks away from a quarantine? virus is loose in the DMV.

Which means a lot of people probably already have it and think it is a cold. Just not convinced a city wide quarantine is needed, as if you could get Americans to buy in anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:So I have carefully saved my leave and my coworker constantly uses it for all kinds of things. She now gets free leave for claiming Corona and I spend my leave. Advancing leave is fine but just giving it out seems a bit out of control.

What free leave? I?m also not sure what you are implying- is your coworker using sick leave improperly, i.e. for reasons other than illness or doctors appointments?

Worker 1 takes full days of for a 20 minute dental appointment, mental health days, etc. Worker 2 schedules appointments on her off days and only uses sick leave for illnesses. Worker one is nowpaid to stay home because she is now actually sick but has no leave. Worker 2 is using the sick she carefully saved. Now I realize there are people who just started or are recovering from a major illness that have legitimate reasons for not having leave...but many people do not save it for an actual sickness.

+1. People use leave extremely liberally and then bitch and moan they are all out. I?m careful about saving my leave for times when I really need it and I therefore have hundreds of hours saved after only five years of service. I shouldn?t be punished for being prudent.

Congratulations on never getting sick or having a baby I guess?

I am a Fed with two kids and have had cancer. I have purposely stocked my leave because I am concerned about another round of chemo. Please spare me the whiny babies who can?t manage more more than two weeks of sick leave at a time with 15+ years in. They didn?t spare me their colds when they used their sick leave for headaches.

Well then I really hope you don?t get hit with this- can totally understand why you would prefer to save your leave for something more serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

NP. I had exactly -24 hours left after my second maternity (you have to burn them all before LWOP...). I came to work sick and Dh stayed home with the kids that year. I tried to avoid people and washed my hands a lot. It is what it is. My boss doesn?t allow telework more than 1 day a pay period. I would have loved to have teleworked. One time I threw up at work. Sure I?m evil but I couldn?t afford LWOP with 2 in daycare. I burned through annual leave too. I have some leave now, but not more than a weeks worth.

Not to hijack, but I took LWOP with plenty of leave left. No one checked my hours as I was approved for LWOP. It really helped when I went back to work to not be in the negative. Like everything else, it seems like the response is dependent on the individual HR person or supervisor you?re dealing with. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I have carefully saved my leave and my coworker constantly uses it for all kinds of things. She now gets free leave for claiming Corona and I spend my leave. Advancing leave is fine but just giving it out seems a bit out of control.

What free leave? I?m also not sure what you are implying- is your coworker using sick leave improperly, i.e. for reasons other than illness or doctors appointments?

Worker 1 takes full days of for a 20 minute dental appointment, mental health days, etc. Worker 2 schedules appointments on her off days and only uses sick leave for illnesses. Worker one is nowpaid to stay home because she is now actually sick but has no leave. Worker 2 is using the sick she carefully saved. Now I realize there are people who just started or are recovering from a major illness that have legitimate reasons for not having leave...but many people do not save it for an actual sickness.

+1. People use leave extremely liberally and then bitch and moan they are all out. I?m careful about saving my leave for times when I really need it and I therefore have hundreds of hours saved after only five years of service. I shouldn?t be punished for being prudent.

Congratulations on never getting sick or having a baby I guess?

I am a Fed with two kids and have had cancer. I have purposely stocked my leave because I am concerned about another round of chemo. Please spare me the whiny babies who can?t manage more more than two weeks of sick leave at a time with 15+ years in. They didn?t spare me their colds when they used their sick leave for headaches.

But that poster does not represent the majority of federal employees.
Well then I really hope you don?t get hit with this- can totally understand why you would prefer to save your leave for something more serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

NP. I had exactly -24 hours left after my second maternity (you have to burn them all before LWOP...). I came to work sick and Dh stayed home with the kids that year. I tried to avoid people and washed my hands a lot. It is what it is. My boss doesn?t allow telework more than 1 day a pay period. I would have loved to have teleworked. One time I threw up at work. Sure I?m evil but I couldn?t afford LWOP with 2 in daycare. I burned through annual leave too. I have some leave now, but not more than a weeks worth.

Not to hijack, but I took LWOP with plenty of leave left. No one checked my hours as I was approved for LWOP. It really helped when I went back to work to not be in the negative. Like everything else, it seems like the response is dependent on the individual HR person or supervisor you?re dealing with. Sigh.

I did this too for maternity leave. I did not want to come back with zero leave.

[Anonymous]

^So crazy. My Department was adamant that I couldn't take LWOP unless I exhausted all of my sick and annual leave. I started at 22 and had my 1st at 30, 2nd at 32. Apart from maternity leaves, I cared for my dying relative for 3 weeks once and that was it. I never played hooky with leave, nor was I sick often. I just don't have much leave now though. Sick leave doesn't accumulate quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

It?s not just to save older white collar workers. It?s to save the 60 year old admin who is raising her grandkids or the 60 year old cleaner whose family abroad is dependent on her remitting her wages.

The lack of understanding of public health measures is really troubling here, and shows the need for much, much better communication. Mandatory telework and school closures are NOT quarantines. They are social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus. The reason to slow the spread of the virus is not "just" for 60+ year olds. It's to keep the medical system from being completely overwhelmed ... which would mean that NOBODY could get ANY emergency care. Break your leg? Get cancer? Kid has a bad croup attack and needs medicines? Good luck with that while the hospitals are dealing with thousands of COVID19 patients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.chcoc.gov/content/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-additional-guidance

Highlights:

In the event of school and building closure, agencies could decide to suspend the no telework with kids in the house rule. You would be required to work and account for your time caregiving through use of leave.

If you catch this virus you have to use leave.

Basically it puts a lot of the burden on the employee if this thing hits hard.

+1 - this is a public health emergency. Fed gov't should set the example by giving USG employees leave in case of quarantine or schools closing and passing legislation to extend same to private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would everyone who can't possible take any sick leave do if they were sick with something else? Wouldn't you have to take an advance, LWOP, vacation?

Honestly, probably apply for for the voluntary leave transfer program, but now the program is going to get flooded with requests.

Also, it?s one thing to use up my leave (or advance leave) for my own and my children?s health. But being essentially forced to use leave because of quarantines in order to save older people seems unfair. Why should I burn up my accrued leave because of a virus that isn?t even likely to harm my family? The older people can use their leave to stay home, they have use or lose any way

It?s not just to save older white collar workers. It?s to save the 60 year old admin who is raising her grandkids or the 60 year old cleaner whose family abroad is dependent on her remitting her wages.

The lack of understanding of public health measures is really troubling here, and shows the need for much, much better communication. Mandatory telework and school closures are NOT quarantines. They are social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus. The reason to slow the spread of the virus is not "just" for 60+ year olds. It's to keep the medical system from being completely overwhelmed ... which would mean that NOBODY could get ANY emergency care. Break your leg? Get cancer? Kid has a bad croup attack and needs medicines? Good luck with that while the hospitals are dealing with thousands of COVID19 patients.

Who are you suggesting provide the communication?