Battening down the telework hatches

A lot can change in five years. Think back a moment to August 29, 2005: the center of Katrina passes through New Orleans.

Since then, there have been changes in the administration, in policy, and in the way we think about telework.

Last week, Office of Personnel Director John Berry issued a memo to Chief Human Capital Officers about preparing for this year’s hurricane season.

In it, he reminds the CHCOs about “a wide range of human resources (HR) policies and flexibilities that are currently available to assist Federal employees affected by hurricanes and their aftermath,” including telework.

Federal employees can be required to telework from their “alternative worksites,” if possible, on their regular telework days “or on any of their regularly scheduled workdays during emergency situations when the agency is closed.” A lot can change in five years. Think back a moment to August 29, 2005: the center of Katrina passes through New Orleans.

Since then, there have been changes in the administration, in policy, and in the way we think about telework.

Last week, Office of Personnel Director John Berry issued a memo to Chief Human Capital Officers about preparing for this year’s hurricane season.

In it, he reminds the CHCOs about “a wide range of human resources (HR) policies and flexibilities that are currently available to assist Federal employees affected by hurricanes and their aftermath,” including telework.

Federal employees can be required to telework from their “alternative worksites,” if possible, on their regular telework days “or on any of their regularly scheduled workdays during emergency situations when the agency is closed.”

Teleworkers do not have to be designated emergency employees to be required to work during a closure, “however” notes Berry, agencies are encouraged to talk about the policies with teleworkers in advance.

One thing that hasn’t changed though: the Redskins still haven’t won the Super Bowl again. Maybe that will change next year.

Teleworkers do not have to be designated emergency employees to be required to work during a closure, “however” notes Berry, agencies are encouraged to talk about the policies with teleworkers in advance.

One thing that hasn’t changed though: the Redskins still haven’t won the Super Bowl again. Maybe that will change next year.

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