'Liberal Leave' for Federal Government on Tuesday
Snow blankets the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington on Monday. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg)
Washington-area federal government offices will operate on an unscheduled leave or "liberal leave" status on Tuesday, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
The decision means employees who cannot report for work may request unscheduled leave for their entire scheduled workday. Employees have to notify supervisors of their plans.
Emergency employees are expected to report for work on time, OPM said.
The decision will help parents whose children are out of school because of the weekend blizzard.
Tuesday's return to work follows Monday's excused absence for Washington's nonessential federal employees, the first since 2003.
OPM Director John Berry makes the final decision about the operating status for Washington-area federal offices. Federal executive boards make the decision in other parts of the country. Berry has vowed to make his decision well before workers begin their morning commutes.
Regardless of Tuesday's operating status, this is already scheduled to be a shorter workweek for federal employees, because of Friday's Christmas holiday and an early dismissal scheduled for Thursday.
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By
Ed O'Keefe
| December 21, 2009; 3:22 PM ET
Categories:
Workplace Issues
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Posted by: WashingtonDame | December 21, 2009 3:38 PM | Report abuse
They probably don't do much work even when they show up.
Posted by: brewstercounty | December 21, 2009 4:34 PM | Report abuse
Given the very rough and icy conditions in my neighborhood, and the re-freeze expected overnight,I would think that OPM would at least give us the option of a delayed arrival.
Posted by: Mags3 | December 21, 2009 5:48 PM | Report abuse
How do folks tell when federal workers are on leave or not?
Just curious.
Posted by: oracle2world | December 21, 2009 10:28 PM | Report abuse
How stupid does someone have to be to ask such an idiotic question? Just curious.
Posted by: vztownes | December 21, 2009 10:36 PM | Report abuse
Why do dull people make the same tired jokes about federal employees every year? Just curious.
Posted by: tristesse27 | December 21, 2009 10:38 PM | Report abuse
How do folks tell when federal workers are on leave or not?
You'll know when your welfare check doesn't arrive on time.
Posted by: kguy1 | December 21, 2009 10:49 PM | Report abuse
Given the very rough and icy conditions in my neighborhood, and the re-freeze expected overnight,I would think that OPM would at least give us the option of a delayed arrival.
Posted by: Mags3
---------------------------
It's unscheduled leave. If you need a couple hours delay, tell your supervisor and take 2 hours leave. Unscheduled leave does not restrict the number of hours leave you need.
Posted by: prokaryote | December 21, 2009 11:34 PM | Report abuse
In Washington, DC, the Hess gas station received a fill-up of its tanks [RI Ave at apx S Street, but over 3 stations had run out and many others had only plus gas remaining.
When was the last time we experienced this in DC ???
Global Warming --- NOT.
Posted by: brucerealtor@gmail.com | December 22, 2009 12:21 AM | Report abuse
I work for the private sector and am expected to be to work. I made it in yesterday, no problem.
Poor, poor federal employees, heck, they don't work anyway, even when they show up. Geez, another day off and "early dismissal scheduled for Thursday".
Federal employees don't know what work is!!
No wonder this country is going to hell in a handbasket.
Wimps.
Posted by: Gary12 | December 22, 2009 7:13 AM | Report abuse
Gary12 - Wow, you are awesome. It's too bad we all can't be as great as you, but it's nice to know there are heroes (superheroes even) out there like you looking out for the rest of us. The private sector is certainly a model of hard work. I mean, just look at the recent success of the financial, auto, and health care industry. Keep up your hard work Gary - you rock! Wait, you don't work for the landscaping company that was supposed to plow my neighborhood do you?
Posted by: justanotherguy | December 22, 2009 10:52 AM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Well, if I go to work tomorrow, I definitely won't have any problems getting one of the "good" parking spaces near the entrance doors.