WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo to agencies releasing telework and alternative work schedule guidance for Federal employees who will be affected by the upcoming Platform Improvement Project by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The memo encourages agencies to communicate these procedures to its workforce and use them in a manner that has minimal impact on its mission and service to the American people.

OPM is encouraging agencies to permit excepted employees to telework more frequently and permit flexible start and stop times under a flexible work schedule. Agencies are being reminded of the policies and procedures on workplace flexibilities that were established during the 2016 and 2018 WMATA SafeTrack project and update them as necessary.

“OPM has the best interest of the Federal workforce in mind. While this project will be an inconvenience for the time being, streamlined communications between WMATA and OPM will help ensure Federal employees are able to keep up the same level of service to the American people,” said Acting Director Margaret Weichert.

OPM is taking several options into consideration for communicating language and messaging to the Federal workforce in hopes of having an informed population by the time construction begins.

WMATA will begin major platform work on May 25^th to the six stations south of Reagan International Airport, along the blue and yellow lines, and continue until September 8^th. WMATA will begin single tracking after September 8^th to stations that have not yet been completed. WMATA acknowledges thousands of riders, many of whom are Federal employees, will be affected by this project but are taking measures to ensure riders still arrive to work in a timely manner. WMATA will be providing free shuttles to affected riders to metro stops just north of Reagan International, where riders will continue on rail lines from there.