Federal government employees were allowed into work three hours late on Wednesday due to chilly weather and a flurry of snow that didn’t settle — a break that D.C. public school children didn’t get.
“Non-Emergency Employees who report to the office will be granted weather and safety leave for up to 3 hours past their expected arrival time,” the Office of Personnel Management said in an announcement on its website. Emergency-related employees were exempted.
The decision was a response to an advisory from the National Weather Service that warned of cold conditions Wednesday and wind gusts of up to 50 mph for D.C.-area residents and commuters.
D.C. Public Schools decided its students were a bit sturdier and scheduled classes as normal on Wednesday. “No, nothing has been delayed,” said a receptionist for the D.C. Public Schools Chancellor’s Office. A spokesman for the OPM could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls.
Federal workers were allowed to leave two hours early on Tuesday; D.C. schools remained open until the usual time, though evening activities were canceled.
The early departure and late start gave federal workers a five-hour break just a day and a half after they returned to work following a 35-day shutdown that left 800,00 workers unpaid but eligible for back pay this week.
OPM made the announcement late Tuesday on its Facebook page. The decision was popular with federal employees. “You guys are making calls early now in 2019! I love it!” responded Troy Trenkle. “Once again hitting it out of the park by calling it early. Thank you!” said Christine Cole.
There were some dissenters. “LOL, a little snow and they cry, try working in Alaska,” posted Tim List on Facebook. David Thoma bemoaned the early exodus on Tuesday: “Over reaction causing traffic delays and problems.”
But others wondered why federal workers should come in at all. “Hope it change[s] to whole day,” Tim Melton posted on Faceook. “3 hours? Let’s just make it an even 8!” tweeted Mark Mackoviak.
