General

Employees are expected to report for work and perform the normal duties of their position as directed by an agency, unless in an approved leave status. If an employee fails to report for duty without an administratively acceptable reason for their absence, the employee could be considered absent without leave and be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service. The agency makes the determination as to whether the employee has an administratively acceptable reason for their absence.

An agency may determine that circumstances justify excusing an employee from duty and allowing the employee to use accrued leave or approving telework (if the employee is telework eligible) because of circumstances unique to the employee. In evaluating the circumstances, agencies should be mindful of Executive Branch policy regarding return to the workplace and the steps the agency has taken to implement safety plans relative to health, safety, and workplace operations pursuant to Executive Order 13991 – Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing.