BREAKING: OPM operating status in DC now drives Tuesday plans after winter storm
Federal workers in the Washington, D.C., area woke up to a rare clear call on Monday. OPM closed federal offices across the region after heavy snow and ice. The next decision is the one that matters now. OPM’s Tuesday status will set who must report, who can telework, and who can take leave. I am tracking that call and laying out what it means for your work, your rights, and your commute. ❄️
Who OPM covers, and what the status controls
OPM sets the operating status for Executive Branch agencies in the D.C. area. That includes most cabinet departments and many federal offices. Congress, the courts, and some independent agencies set their own policies. District of Columbia Government also makes its own decision for city agencies.
When OPM posts a status, it carries legal and payroll effects. It decides who gets weather and safety leave, who must telework, and which emergency staff must report. Agencies then issue instructions under that status. If you are a federal employee in the region, your manager follows OPM’s code and your agency policy.
What Monday’s closure meant on the ground
Here is what Monday looked like under the full closure order. Non telework eligible staff were placed on weather and safety leave. They were excused from duty and paid. Telework ready employees were generally expected to work from home, if they had a valid agreement and were not on approved leave. Emergency employees, as designated in advance, had to report as directed by their agency. Many did so with layered safety rules, including staggered times and protective gear.
DC Government operated in a modified posture. Some in-person services paused or moved online. Many schools across the region closed. We saw slick roads, downed branches, and narrow lanes. That became the basis for Monday’s closure and shapes the risk calculus for Tuesday.
If you are telework ready, sign in early and check your agency notice. If you are not telework eligible, watch for the exact OPM code. Your pay status depends on it.
How to read OPM status codes fast
OPM uses a small set of codes. Each one has clear rules.
- Open. Normal operations. Standard leave rules apply.
- Delayed Arrival. Offices open. Commuters may arrive late. Extra time is excused as stated.
- Early Departure. Offices close early. Extra time after the set time is excused.
- Closed. Offices closed. Only emergency staff report. Telework ready staff usually telework.
- Unscheduled Leave or Telework. Offices open. You may use leave or telework with supervisor approval.
These codes tie to your legal options. They control weather and safety leave, which is paid time off for conditions beyond your control. They also trigger telework duties for those who signed agreements and are equipped to work remotely.
You have the right to use annual leave, sick leave as appropriate, or comp time under Unscheduled Leave. You also have the right to a safe workplace. If roads are unsafe and the status allows flexibility, use it.
Tuesday’s decision, what to expect, and how to prepare
OPM will post the Tuesday status early in the morning on its official channels. Agencies will push out instructions right after. Emergency staff should keep duty phones on. Telework ready employees should plan to work unless told otherwise. Non telework eligible employees should watch for Closed or Delayed Arrival codes. That will set leave and reporting rules.
Schools in the region are announcing delays and closures tonight and early Tuesday. That matters for caregiving needs. Under Unscheduled Leave or Telework, you can request leave or adjust schedules with your supervisor. Document the request in writing. Keep it short and clear.
Here is a simple plan for tomorrow morning.
- Check OPM’s status before 6 a.m.
- Read your agency notice and follow it exactly.
- If you need leave, notify your supervisor as early as possible.
Managers cannot override a Closed status by ordering non emergency staff on site. Agencies can tighten safety rules, designate emergency roles, and set telework instructions. Follow your agency’s lawful orders within the OPM code.
One more legal note
Weather and safety leave does not apply to employees who can and are required to telework. If you are telework ready, make a reasonable effort to work. If you lack power or internet, tell your supervisor right away. Agencies may grant weather and safety leave if you are unable to work due to the storm. Keep records, including time of outage and any ticket numbers from your provider.
The bottom line
OPM’s call controls Tuesday for most federal workers in the D.C. area. Monday’s closure put safety first and set clear pay rules. The same framework will guide tomorrow. Read the code, know your role, and use the rights built into the policy. I will publish the Tuesday status the moment OPM posts it. Until then, charge your laptop, set an early alarm, and stay safe.
