A power outage in Hartford has closed at least the 165 Capitol Ave building and the 505 Hudson St building. Any A&R employee who is scheduled to be in the office today and who can't work in the office because they get notice that their building is closed cannot be required to telework (this time is not charged to Vac/Sick/PL, it will be charged to LWWTR or LWGOV or some other code as directed by your agency). The agency CAN ask you to work from home, however, the employee has the option to decline such a request (again, not charged to Vac/Sick/PL). If an employee wishes to decline such a request, employees should make a clear written record of their choice to their chain of command. If they are ordered to telework regardless, they should comply with that order. We will grieve.
If power is restored and employees are ordered to report to the office as originally scheduled they should comply. If an employee is scheduled to telework then continue to telework.
Final Telework Agreement
8.3.2.In addition, teleworkers may be requested to telework on non-telework days as operational needs dictate or in the event of an emergency (e.g. power outage, flooding/water damage at official duty station etc.). Acceptance of such request shall be at the option of the employee.