A winter storm anticipated to bring up to 10 inches of snow, followed by freezing rain, has prompted the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to announce a closure of federal offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for Monday. In a decision made late Friday night, OPM stated that while most federal employees will be granted weather and safety leave, emergency employees, as well as those who work remotely or telework, are still expected to fulfill their duties.
The OPM’s weather status update outlined that non-telework employees will receive leave equivalent to the hours they were scheduled to work. However, this does not apply to those on official travel or scheduled for days off under an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS). Emergency personnel are required to report to their work sites unless directed otherwise.
Scott Kupor, OPM director, shared the announcement on social media, emphasizing the importance of safety during the upcoming severe weather conditions. The snowfall is predicted to begin on Saturday night and increase in intensity into Sunday morning, with temperatures remaining in the 20s, complicating travel and safety efforts.
For federal employees located outside the D.C. metro area, individual agencies will determine their operational status in light of the storm. OPM’s recent guidance indicates that heads of federal field offices are responsible for making decisions regarding workforce status and should consider nationwide operating status announcements when developing their local plans.
The flexibility for telework among federal employees has been evolving. According to OPM’s fiscal 2025 telework report, as of 2024, approximately 1.3 million employees—53% of the federal workforce—were eligible for telework, although participation has seen a slight decline from the previous year. The trend highlights an ongoing shift in how federal employees manage their work amid changing circumstances, such as winter storms.
As the D.C. area braces for harsh winter weather, the response by OPM underscores a commitment to employee safety while recognizing the adaptability required in federal operations.