NORTON GETS EARLY DISMISSAL FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ON JANUARY 19 - January 12, 2005
January 12, 2005
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memorandum that resulted from Norton’s letter and subsequent call to Kay Coles James, Director of OPM, asking that federal employees be dismissed at noon or one o’clock p.m. on Wednesday, January 19th because of street closings that will occur just before the opening inaugural ceremony on the White House Ellipse. Norton was concerned that the usual serious rush hour congestion in the area of the closings (Constitution to E Street, NW between 15th and 17th Streets, NW) would be compounded because of the rush hour convergence of federal employees and large crowds attending the opening inaugural ceremony on the White House Ellipse at 4:00 p.m.
The memorandum allows agencies to grant excused absences (administrative leave with pay – does not count against vacation time) in light of planned street closures in accordance with the security plan for the inaugural event. However federal agencies are also asked to urge employees to request annual leave, previously earned compensatory time off, leave without pay, alternative work schedule (AWS) hours, or to work at home or at a telework center pursuant to an existing telework agreement.
Norton said she appreciated OPM’s response. The text of the memorandum follows.
January 11, 2005
MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
FROM: | KAY COLES JAMES |
SUBJECT: | Presidential Inaugural Celebration of Freedom |
A large crowd of attendees is expected at the Presidential Inaugural "Celebration of Freedom" event on the White House Ellipse in Washington, DC, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 .
There are planned street closures in an area bordered by Constitution Avenue and E Street, and 15th and 17th Streets, NW., that day to accommodate the celebration. As a result, we anticipate major traffic congestion problems in the downtown Washington, DC, area. These problems will be especially acute for Federal workers who must commute from Washington, DC, to Northern Virginia or vice versa.
To reduce the potential for traffic gridlock, please urge Federal employees whose official duty stations are located in the downtown Washington, DC, area and who are not needed to remain at work for reasons of national security, defense, or other essential public business to request annual leave, previously earned compensatory time off, or leave without pay on Wednesday, January 19. Employees on alternative work schedules (AWS) may wish to schedule their AWS day off or use credit hours (if available) on that day. With supervisory approval under a written or oral telework agreement, employees may work at home or at a telework center on January 19. Any employee who chooses to report for work on January 19 should consider using public transportation and allow extra time for commuting to and from work.
Should circumstances dictate, individual agency heads are reminded that they have discretion to grant excused absence for their employees.
Additional Information
For additional information, agency Chief Human Capital Officers and/or Human Resources Directors should contact their assigned OPM Human Capital Officer. Employees should contact their agency human resources office for assistance.
cc: Chief Human Capital Officers