OPM closed - still have to telework?

[Anonymous]

DH and I both will telework and trade off of we need to. They're will be lots of movies watched, and we may stagger our start times. I don't usually have to be on calls very often so if he's on a call, I'll take DD to another part of the house. It's not a great system quite frankly, and i used to take admin leave but am now scheduled to telework every day until i go into labor with our second.

[Anonymous]

It's a cluster*ck. I have to either telework or take leave, and sometimes I have calls so I really can't take leave without putting that work on someone else and often no one else would be able to do it.

It is just me with a kid at home. I get up really early to get in work before the kid is up, then we do lots of TV. Sometimes I am able to get a teenage sitter or trade playdates with a neighbor. This has all gotten much easier as the kid has gotten older and more interested in screens.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. My boss is a total pain about telework, we can't take regularly scheduled telework - even though others at my agency can. So do I have to work tomorrow just because once every 2-3 months I can telework?

[Anonymous]

If you have telework agreement, you must put in 8 hr. But those 8hr don't necessarily have to be from 8-5... In my mind, you can still work AND watch your kids, as long as you put in 8hrs... I don't telework, but my boss and people sometimes get my emails at 4AM, or 11PM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have telework agreement, you must put in 8 hr. But those 8hr don't necessarily have to be from 8-5... In my mind, you can still work AND watch your kids, as long as you put in 8hrs... I don't telework, but my boss and people sometimes get my emails at 4AM, or 11PM.

Agree with this in theory and this is what I do. My boss doesn't care. However, technically, our CBA doesn't allow working in the middle of the night. There are certain hours that employees can work. I'm sure there are managers who are more strict and care if I say I work from 6am to 7am instead of 4am to 5am, because that time period isn't permitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. My boss is a total pain about telework, we can't take regularly scheduled telework - even though others at my agency can. So do I have to work tomorrow just because once every 2-3 months I can telework?

Your agency sets the rules for telework when the gov't is closed. I'm surprised that those rules weren't trumpeted all over your office last week--they were in mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FDA has a policy mandating telework when the government is closed even with children at home and out of school. Employees are expected to put in 8 hours around their childcare duties. There is no administrative leave granted.

Census is the same.

[Anonymous]

My work has telework but won't allow us to use it because it's not our regularly scheduled telework day. If you can't come in, you have to take leave.

[Anonymous]

My office did not close today and my boss scheduled a meeting - in the office - for 9am tomorrow. I swear he has it out for the employees with kids! Schools are all closed tomorrow. How will this work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FDA has a policy mandating telework when the government is closed even with children at home and out of school. Employees are expected to put in 8 hours around their childcare duties. There is no administrative leave granted.

Census is the same.

what about employees who can't telework, like a bench scientist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. My boss is a total pain about telework, we can't take regularly scheduled telework - even though others at my agency can. So do I have to work tomorrow just because once every 2-3 months I can telework?

Your agency sets the rules for telework when the gov't is closed. I'm surprised that those rules weren't trumpeted all over your office last week--they were in mine.

My agency didn't clarify and neither did my managers. I think there was some vague reference to agency telework policy without clarification. Already wasted time dialing into calls none else bothered to be on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My work has telework but won't allow us to use it because it's not our regularly scheduled telework day. If you can't come in, you have to take leave.

I don't think they can do that. You should check with the union the govt is closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My work has telework but won't allow us to use it because it's not our regularly scheduled telework day. If you can't come in, you have to take leave.

I don't think they can do that. You should check with the union the govt is closed.

What union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My work has telework but won't allow us to use it because it's not our regularly scheduled telework day. If you can't come in, you have to take leave.

I don't think they can do that. You should check with the union the govt is closed.

They can absolutely do that. One of the primary benefits to an agency of instituting a telework policy is to allow for continuing operations during weather or other emergency. May telework policies (negotiated and agreed to by unions) require employees to telework when the government is closed, in exchange for telework when the government is open. If you do not work according to policy, your best case scenario is to burn annual leave. You could also be subject to minor disciplinary action or revocation of your telework eligibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My work says if you're unable to telework because of work conditions (eg, no childcare because of weather or no electricity), you can take the administrative leave and don't have to telework.

Think different agencies have different rules though.

I wish our agency offered the leave option. I asked TPTB several times what we're supposed to do when schools are closed because childcare obligations are expressly against our telework agreement and all I heard was crickets. Thankfully, my supervisor is a don't-ask-don't-tell type of person, but everyone else seems to be carrying on as normal and the last couple of days have been a frustrating juggle.