Inauguration Day Holiday & Other Inauguration Week Details
December 14, 2016
NTEU280
There will be a lot of disruptions in the Federal Triangle area for the presidential inauguration week. EPA sent out an email with details. It's important enough that we're pasting it in total, below....
Message from: Donna J. Vizian, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management
Most Federal employees in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area will have two holidays during the week of Inauguration: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Monday, January 16), and Inauguration Day (Friday, January 20). I said “most” and I will walk you through the nuances associated with this particular day and touch on other, possible work status impacts that week.
Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20, 2017 is a legal public holiday only for federal employees who work in the “Inauguration Day area”, which for the EPA, would be anyone who works at the Federal Triangle and Potomac Yard complexes. Unlike other federal holidays, employees who are not regularly scheduled to work on January 20 because it is their compressed day off, will not be entitled to a day off in lieu of the holiday.
Similar to other holidays, employees must be in a pay status or a paid time off status (i.e. leave, compensatory time off, or credit hours) on their scheduled workdays either before or after Inauguration day in order to be entitled to pay for that day if they do not work. The Inauguration Day holiday does not apply to employees who are on official duty away from the official worksite, or o travel status away from the Inauguration Day area.
Telework
To help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials, the Office of Personnel Management is encouraging telework on Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19. The EPA plans to implement this recommendation. Employees may also request to use their alternative work schedule day off, annual leave, leave without pay or previously earned compensatory time. Newly hired employees will be granted a telework waiver that will enable them to telework on January 18 and 19, 2017.
Commuting During Inauguration Week
Many inaugural activities will take place before Friday, January 20. Federal employees who work in the downtown Washington, DC, area and its vicinity should expect significant commuting delays and travel disruptions on Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19 due to extensive road closures, mass transit changes, motorcades and the establishment of security perimeters. EPA employees who work at the FTC may also experience other inconveniences related to shuttle bus service, sidewalk closures and additional security measures not yet known. Note: The number of visitors, security procedures and leave exceptions will be similar to the Papal visit.
Employees who must go to their office during this time period should allow extra time for commuting to and from work whether by private vehicle or public transportation. Employees are encouraged to monitor local news media for announcements on street closures for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, disruptions to public transportation, building closures, or any possible changes to the Washington, DC, area federal government operating status. Information on street closures is available at www.secretservice.gov/press/releases. Information on DC public transportation changes and delays is available at www.wmata.com.
Meetings with Outside Visitors
If you have planned meetings on January 18 and 19 that will include outside visitors to the FTC facilities, you should consider rescheduling them. Explain why you are rescheduling the meeting and provide them with as much advance notice as possible.
Additional Information
I will share additional information with you as it becomes available. In the meantime, should you have any questions on your ability to telework or telework assignments, please speak with your supervisor.