OPM closed - still have to telework?

[Anonymous]

For those who are able to telework when the fed govt is closed but have young kids to take care of, what do you do? Do you take leave?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

No one actually knows the answer. The answer, like alien life, might be out there somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Get a high school babysitter to come over, or use leave.

[Anonymous]

OPM can post on its website REMOTELY.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids..most people can do some work...respond to emails...work during nap..early morning etc. Older kids can watch a movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids..most people can do some work...respond to emails...work during nap..early morning etc. Older kids can watch a movie.

This.

[Anonymous]

At my agency, if you have a telework agreement, you have to telework when the government is "closed".

Personally, I don't need child care any more because my kids are too old (MS and HS). As a manager, I figure any work my employees can do during this time is better than the nothing they would do if they had to take leave for child care reasons, so I have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy with regards to child care arrangements with my employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my agency, if you have a telework agreement, you have to telework when the government is "closed".

Personally, I don't need child care any more because my kids are too old (MS and HS). As a manager, I figure any work my employees can do during this time is better than the nothing they would do if they had to take leave for child care reasons, so I have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy with regards to child care arrangements with my employees.

Exactly, the policy in my office is kind of vague, but if I'm forced to take annual leave because I don't have childcare for my elementary school age kids I'm not doing the 5 conference calls I have tomorrow. I think it's probably better for my boss if I'm not penalized because my kids are in the house.

[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.

+1, same at my agency.

[Anonymous]

Our agency says that if it is your regularly scheduled telework day, you have to work. Otherwise, you can, but don't have to and don't have to use leave. For those who regularly telework, but have their normal child care arrangements that allow the telework disrupted, I assume most do the best they can to work with the kids around. I can't imagine too many people are deducting time if they have to do the occasional kid thing.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

Unfortunate, but that is the price you pay MAYBE a few times per year for having the opportunity to telework. Some of us don't get to do so. I'd love to telework instead of having to haul myself to work or take leave.

[Anonymous]

Our policy is deliberately vague -- you must work, but supervisor can grant admin leave for extenuating circumstances such as power outage.

My boss is very reasonable and I don't abuse the policy, so when I have no childcare options for my small children, I get admin leave under that "extenuating circumstances" clause. I do try to make arrangements if I can -- have had MIL stay overnight, DH and I split the day, etc. I have been teleworking for years, and pre-baby I always put in a full day on OPM-closed days.