OPM Updates Operating Status For DC Area Federal Employees On Thursday

WASHINGTON, DC — All federal offices in the Washington, D.C., region will be opening with a two-hour delay on Thursday, according to an alert from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Federal employees who are eligible may take unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework on Thursday. Otherwise, all employees are expected to report to work within two hours of their scheduled arrival time.

In addition, non-emergency employees will receive weather and safety leave for up to two hours past their expected arrival time on Thursday to allow them to safely arrive on time.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the D.C. region from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters expect snow accumulations up to 2 inches. Precipitation is expected to begin as rain and transition to snow in time for the Thursday morning commute. Another slight winter storm threat is possible Friday night into Saturday.

Related: Snow To Hit DC, NoVA, With More Possible Early Saturday

Non-emergency employees who follow all applicable agency procedures and requirements and notify their supervisor, have the option to use one of the following, according to OPM:

1. earned annual leave, compensatory time off, credit hours, or sick leave, as appropriate;
2. leave without pay;
3. their flexible work schedule day off or rearrange their work hours under flexible work schedules; or
4. unscheduled telework.

All personnel who are considered emergency employees must report to their worksite on time unless directed otherwise by their agency.

Employees who are participating in a telework program, either regularly or on an ad hoc basis, may choose to telework rather than report to their worksite. However, they must be prepared to work or take unscheduled leave, paid time off, or any combination that equals a full workday. Weather and safety leave is not typically available to employees who are teleworking and don't report to a worksite.