Management

Bipartisan Legislation Would Direct Federal Agencies to Allow Full-Time Telework

Senators from both parties said the Trump administration’s guidance encouraging agencies to allow their employees to work remotely proved inadequate to protect employees and the public from the coronavirus outbreak.

Management

Social Security Institutes Fulltime Telework for Most Employees

Some workers will temporarily be provided weather and safety leave until the agency can increase its supply of equipment, while others could be recalled for short periods to handle non-portable work.

Management

OPM Highlights 'Evacuation Pay' Authority As a Way Agencies Can Expedite Telework

The Office of Personnel Management on Thursday clarified a number of issues for both agencies and federal employees as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Management

Senators Urge Trump Administration to Publish Agency Contingency Plans

Democratic lawmakers said that making agencies’ continuity of operations plans public could put the minds of both federal workers and members of the public at ease.

Pay & Benefits

Social Security Closes All Local Offices Amid Coronavirus Threat

Although officials said the agency is working to expand telework as much as possible, union leaders disputed that, describing “Kafkaesque” inaction.

Management

USDA Allows Voluntary Telework Following Positive Coronavirus Test at Headquarters

The Agriculture Department has closed a section of its main office in Washington for "deep cleaning."

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Telework Best Practices From a Manager

As the coronavirus pandemic forces more Americans to work from home, Katherine McIntire Peters talks with the podcast about how she manages a remote staff.

Workforce

White House Calls for 'Maximum Telework Flexibilities' for D.C.-Area Employees

It also gives agency heads more discretion to offer paid time off for those who cannot telework.

Management

Social Security Restores Telework to Previous Levels, But Continues to Resist Expansion to Combat Coronavirus

Union filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday accusing the agency of forcing employees to work in an unsafe workplace.

Management

White House Recommends Telework for Certain Feds

The Office of Management and Budget "encouraged" agencies to sign up federal workers that are members of high-risk populations for telework, and to coordinate with state and local institutions.

Management

Some Agencies Reluctant to Embrace Telework and Take Other Precautions, Despite Growing Coronavirus Concerns

Although some agencies have stepped up to protect their workforces as the novel coronavirus outbreak widens, many federal employees report a resistance to remote work and a lack of basic sanitary measures.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: How the Coronavirus Scare is Changing How Feds Work

Nextgov's Heather Kuldell and GovExec's Eric Katz join the podcast to talk about agencies' plans for the workforce as the COVID-19 epidemic grows.

Management

SEC Institutes Telework-Only Thanks to Robust Remote Work Program

The Securities and Exchange Commission quickly implemented mandatory telework for D.C. workers to protect them from the potential spread of coronavirus, but unions say other agencies have been reluctant to support the practice.

Defense

OPM and Defense Dept. Issue Guidelines for Civilian Employees on Coronavirus

New memos spell out expanded telework flexibilities, leave policies, alternative work schedules and more.

Pay & Benefits

House Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Protect Telework at Federal Agencies Amid Coronavirus Fears

The measure would prohibit agencies from making across-the-board cuts to telework programs, and require annual goals for participation in such programs.