Snow day, telework, and kids at home - why no policy yet?

[Anonymous]

It seems that there is no real policy in the federal government about how to handle this. Same thing at my spouse’s private sector company.

With the withspread adoption of hybrid telework, there is now an expectation that you work during snow days. However, with schools + daycares closed that means kids are home.

Why hasn’t the federal government clarified how to handle this? It seems that the “fairest” thing would be to allow people to dip into either annual or sick leave to care for their kids in the instance when a school district has closed their facilities.

Before COVID, a snow day was a snow day. Now? It’s a work from home day with the kids.

[Anonymous]

I think there is unscheduled leave so you can take leave last minute to deal with childcare.

[Anonymous]

There is a policy. Snow days are also liberal leave days- take it if to need to watch kids

[Anonymous]

If you need to care for children, you should use leave for that time. No one said you’re supposed to care for kids while you’re on the clock!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is unscheduled leave so you can take leave last minute to deal with childcare.

What if you don’t have annual leave banked up (eg, new employee to the Feds)?

It seems like folks should be able to dip into the Sick Leave bank for this fact pattern where a school is closed due to weather. Feds could even request proof to ensure there’s a paper trail.

[Anonymous]

Kindergarten and up age kids don't really need that close of supervision.

[Anonymous]

Why do you want an official policy? Just "work" as best you can. No way would I officially take leave on a day like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kindergarten and up age kids don't really need that close of supervision.

[Anonymous]

our policies at my federal office is clear, you are expected to telework today for 8 hours. If you are unable to do that due to child care responsibilities you are required to take annual leave. This doesn't seem complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is unscheduled leave so you can take leave last minute to deal with childcare.

What if you don’t have annual leave banked up (eg, new employee to the Feds)?

It seems like folks should be able to dip into the Sick Leave bank for this fact pattern where a school is closed due to weather. Feds could even request proof to ensure there’s a paper trail.

Were you hired in the last month? If not you should have a day of leave, you can go negative in your annual leave but you will also likely be put on a leave restriction where your supervisor won't approve anything until you dig out.

[Anonymous]

As others have said, there absolutely is a policy for this: either work or take leave if you can't work. It is a blanket policy that applies in all scenarios. We don't need a specific one for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems that there is no real policy in the federal government about how to handle this. Same thing at my spouse’s private sector company.

With the withspread adoption of hybrid telework, there is now an expectation that you work during snow days. However, with schools + daycares closed that means kids are home.

Why hasn’t the federal government clarified how to handle this? It seems that the “fairest” thing would be to allow people to dip into either annual or sick leave to care for their kids in the instance when a school district has closed their facilities.

Before COVID, a snow day was a snow day. Now? It’s a work from home day with the kids.

What would you do "before COVID" in situations when school was closed for any reason and you were scheduled to work (regardless of location)? Do that.

Simple.

[Anonymous]

Would be interesting to see if you could use FMLA parental leave for these days.

[Anonymous]

I think OP’s issue is that her PTO and sick leave is separate. They are suggesting that they be able to use sick leave similar to if they were caring for a sick child.
I’m not a Fed and I have one bucket of leave hours for illness and vacation, so I just take the hours I need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be interesting to see if you could use FMLA parental leave for these days.

No, you can't. This is not related to care for a sick family member or birth/adoption of a child. Do you not know what FMLA is for?