The Office of Personnel Management was almost spared from making any tough calls this winter over whether to close federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area ...
The Office of Personnel Managment was almost spared from making any tough calls this winter over whether to close federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area, delay commutes for the federal workforce or have them tough it out with no delay.
On Tuesday, however, one week away from the official start of spring, the agency issued a three-hour delay for feds in the metro D.C. area, the one-and-only operating status alert of the season.
Feds within the Beltway took their winter-weather gripes online, and complained to @USOPM on Twitter about how they felt cheated out of a snow day, considering the hazardous conditions.
“@USOPM really blew it today. Nice work guys,” said Twitter user Charles France.
Tuesday’s operating status alert is the first to be made under President Donald Trump, although the president has yet to nominate his own OPM director. Rather, the decision came down to Acting OPM Director Kathleen McGettigan, who previously served as OPM’s chief management officer.
Thanks @USOPM, can't wait to drive in through the freezing rain. Contrary to what they tell you, some agencies still don't permit telework.
— AAnndi (@AMAddamz23) March 14, 2017
@skoppell @USOPM Actually most feds can telework, contractors like me who are expected to show up on time are the ones upset.
— Lauren (@ybunnygurl) March 14, 2017
While OPM permitted unscheduled telework and leave for federal employees, some Twitter users expressed their frustration with agency-specific work-from-home policies that prevent them from staying off the roads.
“Contrary to what they tell you, some agencies still don’t permit telework,” said Twitter user @AMAddamz23.
Shouldn't really be too surprised @USOPM bungled the call to close. Too much ice/ snow to force people to commute
— Joe Cody (@joecody5) March 14, 2017
Two Texas congressmen, however, aren’t complaining about their commuting woes. Reps. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) both had their flights to D.C. canceled on account of the snowstorm. So they came up with a Plan B: rent a car in San Antonio and make the 24-hour-plus drive back to the nation’s capital. Hurd and O’Rourke have alternated between driving and live-streaming the trip:
Cross country bipartisan townhall
Posted by Congressman Beto O'Rourke on Tuesday, March 14, 2017
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Jory Heckman is a reporter at Federal News Network covering U.S. Postal Service, IRS, big data and technology issues.
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