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

[Anonymous]

Wow the DC government was open today and required people to come in at normal time!

wtf. They didn’t even plow the side streets until like 8am today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There is a policy. Why aren’t you aware of it?

All of these posters are aware that the policy is that they take annual leave. They don't like that policy so they are complaining or feigning ignorance, but it's not complicated.

Nope. OPM has said they won't make a blanket policy it is up to each agency.

This is what is currently posted on OPM's website:


Status: Office Closure
Federal Offices in the Washington, DC area are Closed. Maximum Telework is in effect.

Telework Employees are expected to work. Generally, telework employees may not receive weather and safety leave.

Remote Workers are expected to work. Generally, remote workers may not receive weather and safety leave.

Non-Telework Employees generally will be granted weather and safety leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. However, weather and safety leave will not be granted to employees who are on official travel outside of the duty station or on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) day off or other non-workday.

Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.

Employees on Preapproved Leave (paid or unpaid) or other paid time off generally should continue to be charged leave or other paid time off and should not receive weather and safety leave.


So if you can telework, you do. Otherwise take annual leave because you may not receive weather and safety leave. If you can't ever telework you get weather and safety leave. There is your uniform policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

If only that were true.

+1 tell me you treat your older children like free childcare without telling me . . .

[Anonymous]

If you want your snow days back, give up your telework agreement and go into the office 5 days a week.

[Anonymous]

Oh hush about inequity. Parents with young kids are struggling enough. Jesus.

I have a teen I don’t need to watch and would not begrudge a colleague with young kids the day off. I needed that when I was younger and was in the hole with leave.

[Anonymous]

You take leave/vacation like every single other person on the planet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You take leave/vacation like every single other person on the planet.

Wrong. Most employers that close offices down don’t charge leave if schools are closed etc. you do your best that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

NP here. You are so wrong!

Those of you agreeing with this poster, I’m just curious what sort of trouble your elementary aged school kids would get into without close supervision? I couldn’t do a 2 hour zoom call without interruption, but there definitely wouldn’t be any disasters brewing most days, so long as I let them watch TV, that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You take leave/vacation like every single other person on the planet.

Wrong. Most employers that close offices down don’t charge leave if schools are closed etc. you do your best that day.

have you surveyed most employers? Everyone I know who is a professional can either take leave or work from home. It doesn't really matter what our anecdotes are, OPM has a policy for federal employees that we follow and it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You take leave/vacation like every single other person on the planet.

Wrong. Most employers that close offices down don’t charge leave if schools are closed etc. you do your best that day.

Most employers do not close offices. State/local/federal governments close, but rarely does the private sector close.

[Anonymous]

Look at your agency's EAP program. Mine has a back up care program that you can sign up for. Then, if you are really that worried about it, you can take them there.

[Anonymous]

The policy is this: If you need to take unscheduled leave to care for your children, then take unscheduled leave. It's not hard. I don't know why you need a policy unless you're someone who thinks it's not fair that adults with children are allowed to telework while their children are in the house. In which case, go F yourself.

[Anonymous]

My boss is such a psycho I can’t telework and pay attention at all to my kids. The moment the teams status goes idle, she calls. Can’t have a flipping conversation about dinner without her knowing about it. Much less shovel snow off of my car. Better put in for leave to do that too.

All of the micromanagers out there need to calm tf down.

[Anonymous]

26 minute drive Reston to Potomac just now and left at 510 pm.

Lots of lazy bones. 95 dead empty crosses American Legion Bridge at 70 mph

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My boss is such a psycho I can’t telework and pay attention at all to my kids. The moment the teams status goes idle, she calls. Can’t have a flipping conversation about dinner without her knowing about it. Much less shovel snow off of my car. Better put in for leave to do that too.

All of the micromanagers out there need to calm tf down.

Use your 30 minute lunch break. The rest of it, keep your hand on your mouse jiggling it while you talk to your kids or discuss dinner.