Closure and Dismissal

Telework is an important tool for agencies to continue operations in the case of emergencies, and is a key component of Continuity of Operations (COOP) and pandemic influenza planning governmentwide and at the agency level.

Integrating telework into emergency planning in this way means that agencies may require teleworkers to continue to work when the agency is closed.

Managers and teleworkers should discuss potential situations in advance, and any requirement to telework during an emergency should be integrated into the written telework agreement. Managers should be prepared to be flexible about this requirement, taking into account when individual employees may not be able to telework, for instance due to other circumstances related to the emergency (for example, if dependents are at home due to closure of schools).

Details about emergency dismissal procedures and how they affect teleworkers are available in OPM's Washington, DC, Area Dismissal or Closure Procedures [996 KB]