SSA is denying excepted workers' time off and telework requests, seemingly defying shutdown guidance

""An excepted employee may be excused from duty for intermittent periods during a shutdown furlough," OPM wrote. "While excused from performing excepted duties, the employee will be placed in furlough status unless the employee elects to use paid leave . . . However, if an excepted employee needs to be absent from work for brief periods, agencies are encouraged to explore the use of workplace flexibilities such as alternative work schedules and telework to accommodate the employee's need to be absent. If use of workplace flexibilities is not appropriate for the situation, excepted employees must be furloughed for any brief absence or allowed to request paid leave.""

"But Jessica LaPointe, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220, which represents employees at SSA's field offices and teleservice centers, said the agency appears to be categorically denying requests for telework or time off, instead placing workers in absent without leave status. Employees placed in AWOL status will be denied backpay for the time they miss and carries the potential for discipline or termination."

Office of Personnel Management guidance allows excepted federal employees during an appropriations lapse to use episodic telework or be temporarily furloughed if they need brief absences. Scheduled leave is cancelled at the start of a shutdown, but agencies are encouraged to provide workplace flexibilities such as alternative schedules and telework for those excused from duty. The Social Security Administration appears to be denying telework and time-off requests and placing some excepted employees in absent without leave status. Employees placed in AWOL are denied backpay for missed time and may face disciplinary action or termination. Some employees are struggling to afford commuting costs while working without pay.

Read at Government Executive