Federal employees in the D.C. region are under maximum telework as the area continues to dig out from Sunday’s winter storm.
Federal offices in the Washington, D.C., metro area will remain closed as the region continues to dig out from Sunday’s winter storm. The Office of Personnel Management says maximum telework will remain in effect for Jan. 27.
Just like on Monday, OPM said in its weather status update that telework and remote workers are expected to work, but “non-telework employees generally will be granted weather and safety leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. However, weather and safety leave will not be granted to employees who are on official travel outside of the duty station or on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) day off or other non-workday.”
Additionally, OPM said emergency employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.
1/27: Federal offices in the Washington, DC area will be CLOSED due to inclement weather. Maximum telework will be in effect. https://t.co/bDdBgk2c1B
— U.S. Office of Personnel Management (@USOPM) January 26, 2026
WTOP, Federal News Network’s partner station, reported that bitter cold temperatures are remaining in the D.C. region, hardening the snow and ice already on the ground and making for slick driving conditions as roads freeze overnight.
Local leaders from Virginia and Maryland told WTOP those who live on side streets may not see plows come through for a while. Meanwhile, all D.C.-area school systems will be closed Tuesday, and some schools, such as those in Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County, will be closed Wednesday too.
For federal employees outside of the D.C. metro area affected by the winter storm, each agency will make their operating status decision, according to the governmentwide dismissal and closure policy, which OPM updated in December.
“Federal field office heads generally make workforce status decisions for their agencies’ employees and report those workforce status decisions to their agencies’ headquarters,” the guidance stated. “Agencies located outside the ‘Washington capital beltway’ should consider governmentwide operating status announcements when developing local operating status announcements. Employees should always check their agencies’ operating status. Agency-issued operating status announcements should include procedures concerning telework, arrival and departure times, and leave requests.”
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