CDC backtracks on remote work ban for employees with disabilities

"Approved employees with qualifying disabilities and medical issues were previously allowed to work from home for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC if their condition demanded or justified it. However, a recent HHS telework policy issued on Aug. 13, but not enforced until Sept. 15, repealed that option in what the agencies described as compliance with President Donald Trump's return-to-work memorandum issued on Feb. 7, as previously reported by USA TODAY."

"As of Friday, Sept. 19, the CDC has reversed course on the measure, at least temporarily. In emails reviewed by USA TODAY, employees were told by the CDC Office of Human Resources (OHR) that the implementation of the new policy had been "put on hold" and employees could continue their telework agreements until further notice. One email from the OHR sent to CDC supervisors and management told them to hold off on taking immediate action on the policy announced last month."

"Union president: 'Sweeping civil rights violation' Yolanda Jacobs, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, one of the unions representing CDC staffers, said dozens of people who already had longstanding accommodations to work from home due to conditions like multiple sclerosis, compromised immune systems, or high-risk pregnancies, also had their existing, permanent approvals revoked the week of Sept. 15."

HHS issued a telework policy on Aug. 13, enforced starting Sept. 15, that repealed prior allowances for employees with qualifying disabilities to work from home, citing compliance with a presidential return-to-work memorandum. On Sept. 19, the CDC temporarily reversed implementation and told employees via the Office of Human Resources that the policy had been "put on hold," allowing existing telework agreements to continue until further notice. The CDC instructed supervisors to hold off on immediate action while it seeks clarification. Union leaders reported dozens of long-standing accommodations were revoked the week of Sept. 15, with some employees told to return immediately.

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