NTEU Monitors Agency Reopening Plans, Raises Employee Concerns

NTEU-represented agencies are in varying stages of their plans to reopen buildings and call back employees. Where agencies have not shared their plans with NTEU, the union is seeking specific return to work actions and briefings with management.

NTEU's overriding message continues to be that specific health and safety conditions must be met before federal employees are required to return to the workplace, and that agencies should continue maximum telework or weather and safety leave for those who are at high risk.

Here are updates on where things stand at several NTEU-represented agencies:

The IRS announced the first phase of returning employees starting June 1 in Kentucky, Texas and Utah. According to the agency, it is starting with these three states based on their current reopening status and the need to complete filing season work while ensuring employee safety. The IRS is calling this the first phase, but there are no immediate plans to bring employees back in other areas of the country.  

While many Customs and Border Protection employees have been reporting to work during the pandemic, the agency is developing its return-to-work plans for non-uniformed employees and has committed to working with NTEU on the implementation. In its plan, the Department of Homeland Security indicated it will continue to use all available flexibilities for leave, scheduling and telework.

NTEU has requested a briefing on the Department of Health and Human Service's Return to Normal Operations Implementation Guidance. The union is gathering employee concerns and questions on the guidance, which outlines a phased, three-step return.

The union is also seeking a briefing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to begin returning employees to their worksites in several regions. In a letter to the EPA administrator, National President Tony Reardon raised concerns that the agency failed to detail workplace safety plans and has not provided its return to work plan to employees and NTEU. 

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency indicated it will extend its maximum telework policy until at least June. The next phase will be an expanded telework policy once management has procedures in place to properly clean and sanitize offices. Under expanded telework, employees will have the option to report to work or continue teleworking.

At the Securities and Exchange Commission, mandatory telework for most employees will remain in effect until at least July 15.

Get more agency-specific updates on our members only coronavirus page.

OPM Releases Memo on Emergency Leave

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo with additional information on emergency leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The May 22 memo explains that these FFCRA leave payments are not considered basic pay for the purposes of other payments and benefits under laws administered by OPM.  It also provides additional information and examples to help employees better understand the impact of these FFCRA payments on employee benefits and overtime. Get more information on different types of COVID-19 leave.

New Temporary Rules on TSP Accounts Announced

There are new temporary loan and withdrawal options for Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants to help ease financial burdens from the coronavirus. The new loan options, included in a coronavirus relief bill signed into law, will be available by June 22 and the new withdrawal option will be available in mid-July. Individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements and have been impacted financially by COVID-19.

The changes increase the maximum loan amount and allow participants to apply to temporarily suspend loan payments. Participants can apply for a TSP loan worth up to $100,000 rather than the usual $50,000 maximum. Participants can also withdraw 100 percent of their available TSP balances instead of the usual 50 percent. In the meantime, participants still have access to existing withdrawal options, including hardship withdrawals and in-service withdrawals for current federal employees who are at least age 59 ½. The IRS will waive the 10 percent additional tax on early distributions if you designate your withdrawal as a coronavirus-related distribution when you file your taxes. Get more information on TSP options.