A woman wearing a protective face mask walks past an American flag in front of a closed business in Florida on Monday. Lynne Sladky/AP
GovExec Daily: What Can Feds Do if They Feel They Are Called Back Too Soon?
Joanna Friedman, a lawyer who specializes in federal employment law, joins the podcast to discuss how public servants can adjust as federal offices follow "opening up" measures.
The COVID-19 crisis is into its fourth month and more state and local governments are lifting restrictions meant to safeguard public health. But, what about public servants employed by federal agencies in various states? The federal government has offices in every state, so as more and more states ease restrictions, there is no one-size-fits-all guidance.
In fact, OMB and OPM released a joint memo last month, telling agencies leadership that “state and regional assessments should be the starting point for discussions and decisions” about bringing feds back to offices. Employees with chronic health conditions and those who feel unsafe, however, will certainly have decisions to make and concerns.
Joanna Friedman, a partner at the Federal Practice Group, joined the show to discuss what feds can do if they are called back to an unsafe work situation.
