TO ALL AGENCY HEADS:

Until a more definitive recommendation can be made by the FEB WEATHER COMMITTEE, I recommend that you determine the best course of action for your agency consistent with your operational requirements, physical location and the OPM HR flexibilities outlined below.

Below is information received from OPM that you may find useful.

• If the Federal operating status should change next week as a result of Hurricane Sandy, announcements on the status of Government operations in the Washington, DC area (National Capital Area) will be available at http://www.opm.gov/status/index.aspx . 
  
  
• NOTE: Keep in mind that the weather impact on the Baltimore area may be different than that in the National Capital Area (NCA).  We are not in the NCA.  The FEB will issue recommendations through the local media (see FEB website for this information).
  

Below is additional guidance on flexibilities available to agencies:

• Preparing for the 2012 Hurricane Season
  
  
• Memorandum to agencies to be familiar with the wide range of human resources (HR) policies and flexibilities that are currently available to assist Federal employees affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters.  http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=4914
  
  
• Handbook on Pay and Leave Benefits for Federal Employees Affected by Severe Weather Conditions or Other Emergency Situations
  
  
• Provides a general summary of the pay and leave benefits available to Federal employees prevented from working, or required to work, in an area affected by emergency situations. http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/2008/HandbookForEmergencies(PayAndLeave).pdf
  
  
• A Guide to Telework in the Federal Government:  www.telework.gov/guidance_and_legislation/telework_guide/

Richard Howell,
Executive Director
Baltimore Federal Executive Board
(410) 962-4047