With the recent inclement weather, it has come to the attention of the Union that some managers are providing inaccurate information about employees’ obligations in the event of a snowstorm. Below is a brief discussion of your obligations under our current Collective Bargaining Agreement in the event of a closure, delay or if you are not able to come to your office due to a storm.

If your office is closed or subject to a delayed opening due to a storm, you are not obligated to come in to the office to work until it reopens, and you will be given administrative leave. Pursuant to clear advice provided by OPM on its website, you are not required to perform unscheduled telework under such circumstances. So, if you were scheduled to come in to the office, you also are not obligated to telework from home if the office is closed or subject to a delayed opening. You may, however, request permission for unscheduled telework under such circumstances if you have a recurring or ad hoc telework agreement on file, and you have the necessary equipment at home to telework. Indeed, the Union encourages you to request such unscheduled telework if you are able to do so, to demonstrate the value of telework to the federal government and to the taxpayers we serve.

If, alternatively, your office is neither closed nor subject to a delayed opening due to a storm, but it is difficult or impossible for you to get into work due to a storm, you may request unscheduled leave. Alternatively, you may also request unscheduled telework as an option under such circumstances, provided that you have a recurring or ad hoc telework agreement on file, and you have the necessary equipment at home to telework. Again, the Union encourages you to request such unscheduled telework rather than unscheduled leave under such circumstances, to ensure as much continuity in fulfilling the SEC’s mission as possible. If you request unscheduled telework under such circumstances, and you are denied by your manager and compelled instead to take unscheduled leave, please inform a Chapter 293 steward so that we may consider taking appropriate action.

Thanks very much for your continued to service to the SEC, even in the event of a major snow storm. At NTEU, we appreciate your service to our nation.