OPM/Federal Goverment Tone Deaf Weather response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a two hour school delay for anyone outside of DC. And some schools are closed. My manager is forcing me to take vacation time because my kids school is closed. He has no empathy that I am a single mom and that i have no back up today for this kind of thing. Why didn’t OPM foresee the weather delay for its employees outside of DC? They could have offered a delay or telework, but here we are again. No one thinks of caregivers or their families. A pathetic response. And one clearly made by males that don’t think outside the box on these things. Women in my position are shafted once again.

It's not Govt's job to make sure you have a babysitter. Your manager cannot give you 2 hours off and also certify your timesheet. You are supposed to, and you have to use your vacation hours (or other approved means). OPM doesn't consider school closure in their decision making process. What a whiner. Get out of Govt if you don't like it. Can't believe people like you OP.

- a fed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. School is not child care
2. You need to have a backup plan for these situations
3. The federal government literally does not care that some people have children and failed to plan ahead

God this! I am astounded that people think the government (or their private jobs or whatever) need to make accommodations for their individual personal situations.
Personal responsibility has gone the way of the dodo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like if schools are going to do a delay they should at least open the gym so kids can come in and get warm somewhere safe.

The whole point of a delay/closure is that it’s not safe to be out on the roads. If it were safe for people to drive to the school, then school would be open.

[Anonymous]

Why the hate for OP?

Wouldn’t it be a good thing for all of us for employers to have flexibility and consider the impact on workers when kids have delayed school openings and road conditions are poor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like if schools are going to do a delay they should at least open the gym so kids can come in and get warm somewhere safe.

The whole point of a delay/closure is that it’s not safe to be out on the roads. If it were safe for people to drive to the school, then school would be open.

But we all know that this isn't true. A lot of these kids get dropped off by parents on their way to work. When there's a delay, the kids often have no way to get to school otherwise. Do you think your cleaning ladies or nearly any blue collar job has a delayed opening? No.

School needs to stop shutting down and delaying unless there's 6"+ inches of snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate for OP?

Wouldn’t it be a good thing for all of us for employers to have flexibility and consider the impact on workers when kids have delayed school openings and road conditions are poor?

That's what annual leaves are for. OP doesn't like it because she feels she is entitled to 2 free hours (with pay) from the Govt. Does that sound right to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate for OP?

Wouldn’t it be a good thing for all of us for employers to have flexibility and consider the impact on workers when kids have delayed school openings and road conditions are poor?

That's what annual leaves are for. OP doesn't like it because she feels she is entitled to 2 free hours (with pay) from the Govt. Does that sound right to you?

Unfortunately, for a lot of the posters on DCUM, this does sound right.

Once again, personal responsibility is out the window.

[Anonymous]

How about if employers got with the times and allowed more telework? Especially on bad weather days and when the systems are already set up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about if employers got with the times and allowed more telework? Especially on bad weather days and when the systems are already set up.

You aren't allowed to telework with young kids at home. So that penalizes us with kids if they don't close, but force us to telework. It's basically forced annual leave for people with kids under 8. I'd rather they keep the office open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about if employers got with the times and allowed more telework? Especially on bad weather days and when the systems are already set up.

You aren't allowed to telework with young kids at home. So that penalizes us with kids if they don't close, but force us to telework. It's basically forced annual leave for people with kids under 8. I'd rather they keep the office open.

It depends on the office. Most offices do not permit simultaneous telework and child care but if you can swing both -- let's say you and spouse both work from home and split the day -- then you might be able to do some work. My office of lawyers "bills" -- if I set my 4 year old up with a movie and am able to work while he watches, then I work and put in for telework for the hours I actually am able to work. Of course not everyone permits this.

Also, OPM issued regulations last year regarding weather and safety leave. The basic rule is now that anyone who has a telework agreement in place, even a situational (non-regular) telework agreement, must telework when the office is closed, or else take leave. No more days off when the office is closed. You're expected to work and if you can't because of child care or whatever else, you have to take leave. It is very annoying especially with the ridiculous school closures around here (looking at you, MoCo) but it is what it is and there is no point being constantly surprised by it. Do your homework by asking your manager or looking up your agency's policy and be prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry OP. Don't know why you get so many sanctimonious comments this morning. I am a single mom too and I get it. They really should have 3 administrative leave days per year that you could use when schools close.

No....use your AL

Totally agree. Snow flakes

[Anonymous]

It is less than an inch of snow! JHC. He is right.

[Anonymous]

No wonder Feds get such a nasty reputation. Sounds crazy entitled!!

[Anonymous]

Did you imagine you are in Norway, OP? Where your can take loads of time off? Oh, wait, in Norway, they would never close anything to this snow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a two hour school delay for anyone outside of DC. And some schools are closed. My manager is forcing me to take vacation time because my kids school is closed. He has no empathy that I am a single mom and that i have no back up today for this kind of thing. Why didn’t OPM foresee the weather delay for its employees outside of DC? They could have offered a delay or telework, but here we are again. No one thinks of caregivers or their families. A pathetic response. And one clearly made by males that don’t think outside the box on these things. Women in my position are shafted once again.

Your manager is not forcing you to take vacation time. Your manager is requiring you to take LEAVE, you know, for the time you aren't at your job. You're a Fed; you get plenty of leave. Use it.