Linda M. Springer, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued the following statement on OPM's role in managing and protecting Federal employees and the vital operations they perform. Its release coincides with President George W. Bush today issuing the Federal government's implementation plan to prepare for a potential pandemic influenza event.

"The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been tasked with leading two initiatives in the President's Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. One action step is to provide guidance to Federal departments and agencies on human capital management and COOP planning criteria related to pandemic influenza. The second lead action step is to update the guides for telework to provide direction to Federal departments regarding workplace options during a pandemic. Both of these action steps are to be completed within three months.

"We have established an internal pandemic workgroup which will partner with agencies and Chief Human Capital Officers to develop and provide the guidance to ensure government services proceed without interruption should there be a pandemic influenza outbreak. We are evaluating issues for which guidance exists, needs revision or should be developed, and are identifying communication vehicles for getting information out to Federal employees.

"I am confident we will meet the timeline specified in the President's Implementation Plan."