It has come to our attention that a water main break is occurring near the Department of Labor (Folly Brook facility). As a result of this, management has instructed all personnel to they leave the building due to the water being shut off. The instructions further state that for those who have the means to telework, please continue working remotely. The interoffice memo also indicates that employees do not need to extend work hours and that the commute home will be covered as work hours. We remind A&R members that under the terms of the telework agreement, accepting a directive to telework on a non-telework day is at the option of the employee.
We remind all A&R members of the following:
- The telework agreement addresses such situations. Section 8.3.2 of that Agreement states that "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."
- Work now/grieve later requires no translation (if a perceived contract violation occurs, members should follow the directives of management, as long as safety is not compromised. Grievances pertaining to the contract violation should be filed subsequent to the event)
During this building shutdown: any day that is a scheduled telework day you must continue to telework as normal, any day that is a scheduled "office" day is at the employee's discretion as to whether they choose to telework that day (it is not required that you report to duty when your duty station is closed).