OPM Stresses Monitoring of Offsite Work (Where It Still Is Allowed)

""Although an effective tool for the continuity of federal government operations in emergencies, telework and remote work policies should not allow federal employees to avoid working full-time, in-person from an agency worksite on a regular and recurring basis. While certain limited exceptions may apply, generally federal employees should be performing their work in an agency office and not from home," it says."

"Exceptions can be made "based on disability, qualifying medical condition (reasonable accommodation), or other compelling reason," it says, adding that agencies are to document their criteria for what they consider to qualify under the last of those. In addition, it notes that military spouses working remotely are exempt from in-person work under the conditions, as are spouses of Foreign Service members assigned overseas who had pre-existing remote work agreements."

""While federal agencies have discretion to approve various types of telework and remote work arrangements, agency telework and remote work policies must be consistent with the PM, OPM and OMB governmentwide policy guidance, and any applicable law or other legal authority when establishing such arrangements . . . Agencies should establish policies and procedures to monitor and verify that employees are working full-time, in-person at th"

OPM revised federal telework and remote work guidance to reflect broad offsite work restrictions and to emphasize productivity monitoring where remote work remains permitted. The guidance directs that telework should not enable federal employees to avoid performing full-time, in-person duties at agency worksites on a regular and recurring basis. Limited exceptions may be granted for disability, qualifying medical conditions as reasonable accommodations, or other documented compelling reasons. Military spouses and certain spouses of Foreign Service members retain specific remote-work exemptions. Agencies must align policies with PM, OPM, and OMB guidance and establish monitoring and verification procedures.

Read at FEDweek