OPM Guidance During 2016 Nuclear Security Summit
/United States Office of Personnel Management
Monday, March 14, 2016
CPM 2016-05
From: BETH F. COBERT, ACTING DIRECTOR
On Thursday, March 31 through Friday, April 1, 2016, President Obama will welcome world leaders from more than 50 nations and four international organizations at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. This historical event will be one of the world’s largest gatherings of Heads of State and is designed to enhance international cooperation to prevent nuclear terrorism. For more information on the summit, see www.nss2016.org [1].
Significant traffic disruptions are expected on March 31 and April 1 as a result of road closures and restrictions associated with the Summit. The Federal Government in downtown Washington, DC, will remain “OPEN” as usual during this period. Due to road closures, mass transit changes, motorcades, and the establishment of security perimeters, Federal employees who work in downtown DC should expect significant commuting delays and travel disruptions. Information on street closures is available at www.secretservice.gov/press/releases [2]. Information on DC public transportation changes and delays is available at www.wmata.com [3].
To help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is urging agencies to permit employees to use their workplace flexibility options. Accordingly, OPM strongly encourages agencies to allow employees to telework to keep the Federal Government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and support law enforcement efforts during this event. Employees may also request to use their alternative work schedule day off, annual leave, leave without pay, previously earned compensatory time off, and/or earned credit hours under a flexible work schedule.
Those employees who must commute should allow extra time going to and from work whether by private vehicle or public transportation. Employees are encouraged to monitor local news media for announcements on street closures for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, disruptions to public transportation, building closures, or any possible changes to the Washington, DC, area Federal Government operating status. Agencies should use all communications tools they have in place, such as hotlines and website updates, to inform employees of any relevant, agency-specific issues.
Additional Information
Agency headquarters-level human resources offices may contact OPM’s Pay and Leave office at pay-leave-policy@opm.gov [4]. Employees should contact their agency human resources office for further information on the workplace flexibilities available during the Nuclear Security Summit.
CC: Human Resources Directors
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