OPM Provides Guidance on Handling Coronavirus
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released a memo to agencies with guidance on how to assist employees in responding to any concerns about exposure to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The virus is a confirmed public health emergency of international concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The memo outlines leave options for employees and work schedule flexibilities available.
The memo released by the Chief Human Capital Officers Council (CHCO Council) reminds employees that, when appropriate, they may use sick leave, annual leave, advanced annual and/or sick leave, Family and Medical Leave Act leave, leave without pay, donated leave under the Voluntary Leave Transfer and Leave Bank Programs, and other paid time off.
Other time off options include compensatory time off, or time off earned in lieu of overtime pay for overtime work; compensatory time off for travel, or earned time off with pay for time spent in a travel status away from the employee’s official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable; and credit hours, which are hours an employee elects to work with supervisory approval in excess of the employee’s basic work requirements under a flexible work schedule that provides credit hours.
Agencies may also authorize the use of weather and safety leave when certain criteria are met or flexible work schedules.
These flexible work schedules include telework and alternative work schedules. The memo explains, “Telework is a critical tool during emergency situations. OPM has strongly encouraged agencies to maintain a viable telework-ready workforce. This requires determining eligibility for employees to telework, encouraging employees to enter into written telework agreements, communicating expectations before an emergency situation occurs, and practicing and testing equipment and procedures regularly throughout the year, not just teleworking during emergencies that may occur infrequently.”
The memo also reminds agencies of current OPM-authorized government wide direct hire authorities currently in effect, such as for medical officers, nurses, diagnostic radiologic technicians, pharmacists, and others. The memo also refreshes guidance on reemployed annuitants and additional hiring flexibilities.
According to the memo release, OPM has commissioned a working group to determine what human resource guidance was needed in response to the virus. OPM will continue to release guidance based on the working group’s findings and encourages agencies to monitor updates from the Center for Disease Control.
