Post Hybrid Work Environment Guidance
For the past several months, OPM has been consulting with stakeholders from within and outside of Government on post-reentry personnel policies and the work environment. Federal agencies have been preparing for the “Future of Work” for many years, driven by changing missions, increased talent demands, and evolving technology. As agencies consider the transition to this new work environment, OPM offers the following core principles, which have been developed through extensive stakeholder engagement: Promote a flexible and agile workforce, Empower agency decision-making, Strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our workforce and Consider our communities.
Recent Guidance
Guidance to support the continued efforts of Federal agencies to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and support the transition of the Federal workforce to a hybrid work environment. The Safer Federal Workforce site also contains critical information for the Federal workforce and Federal workplaces.
- Frequently Asked Questions on Federal Workforce Management Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- OPM Memorandum- Leave policies related to COVID-19 Vaccination Boosters (December 2, 2021)
- OPM Memorandum - 2021 Guide to Telework and Remote Work in the Federal Government (November 12, 2021)
- OPM Memorandum – COVID-19 Vaccination of Children Ages 5 and Older (November 3, 2021)
- OPM Memorandum - Guidance on Enforcing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirement for Federal Employees – Executive Order 14043 (October 1, 2021)
- OPM Memorandum - Guidance on Applying Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirements to New Hires – Executive Order 14043 (October 1, 2021)
- OPM Memorandum - Additional Guidance on Post-Reentry Personnel Policies and Work Environment (July 23, 2021)
Historical Guidance
Guidance issued prior to 2021 addressing the initial phases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This guidance is archived here to provide information on the human capital management authorities and flexibilities implemented to address the pandemic.
Pandemic Guidance:
- OPM Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Resumption of Normal Workforce Operations (April 23, 2020)
- OPM Statement re: Local Shelter-In-Place Orders (April 14, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - Additional Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF file) on human resources policies for Federal agencies (March 7, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - Preliminary Guidance to Agencies during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance on telework and Federal mission resilience, workplace safety, domestic travel and international travel for Federal employees, and visitor access to Federal offices and buildings (March 3, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - Human Resources Flexibilities Available for Federal Employees Impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Guidance on human resources flexibilities and authorities, including leave and other paid time off, work schedule flexibilities, and hiring and pay flexibilities (February 7, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - 2019 Novel Coronavirus - Links to CDC, OSHA, and Department of State resources (February 3, 2020)
Telework and Remote Work:
- OPM Fact Sheet - Options for Telework-Eligible Employees with Caregiving Responsibilities (March 27, 2020)
Leave and Work Schedules:
- OPM Memorandum - COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave (April 29, 2021)
- Application to Federal Employees - OPM Summary of Statutory and Regulatory Requirements in Connection with the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) (PDF file) (December 30, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - Notice of the Determination that the National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Constitutes an Exigency of the Public Business for the Purpose of Restoring Forfeited Annual Leave (August 27, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum - Annual Leave and Other Paid Time Off Guidance (PDF file)(June 18, 2020)
- OPM Q&A Treatment of FFCRA Leave (May 22, 2020)
- OPM Q&A Which agency is responsible for enforcing compliance with the provisions of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) for Federal employees? This Q&A describes OPM’s role in adjudicating employee claims related to EPSLA paid sick leave (May 13, 2020)
- OPM Fact Sheet - Federal Employee Coverage under the Leave Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (PDF file) (April 7, 2020)
Hiring and Onboarding:
- OPM Fact Sheet - COVID-19 Excepted Service Hiring Authority (March 27, 2020)
- COVID-19 Surge Response Program – This program will use Open Opportunities, a governmentwide platform offering professional development opportunities to current federal employees. The platform provides a centralized location where federal agencies can post details, microdetails, and/or temporary rotational assignments available to assist with COVID-19.
An MOU (Fillable PDF file) will be completed between the host agency and home agency for those who wish to participate. (March 27, 2020) - OPM Memorandum Temporary Procedures for Personnel Vetting and Appointment of New Employees during Maximum Telework Period due to Coronavirus COVID-19 (March 25, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum On-boarding Processes for New Employees During the COVID-19 Emergency (March 24, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum Coronavirus (COVID-19) Schedule A Hiring Authority this memorandum gives agencies the flexibility to fill positions on a temporary basis for up to 1 year as needed in response to, or as a result of, COVID-19 using an excepted service hiring authority (March 20, 2020)
Pay and Payments to Employees:
- OPM Memorandum - Waiver of the Premium Pay Limitation and Aggregate Pay Limitation for Employees Working in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (April 14, 2020)
- OPM Fact Sheet - Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention incentive waiver requests for COVID-19 pandemic health crisis (April 3, 2020)
- OPM Memorandum Dual Compensation Waiver Requests for COVID-19 Emergency this memorandum invites agencies to submit a request for a delegation of authority for dual compensation reduction (salary off-set) waiver to reemploy individuals needed in response to COVID-19 (March 20, 2020)
- OPM Fact Sheet - Coronavirus Fact Sheet containing additional guidance and answers to frequently asked questions regarding evacuation payments during a pandemic health crisis (March 19, 2020)