Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) works closely with a number of federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of State, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) at the Department of Labor to provide updated information to Federal agencies and employees as it becomes available.

The following guidance has been shared with Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) on HR flexibilities and authorities related to reentry and the continuing impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We will share additional tools and guidance for strategic human capital management as agencies implement plans under M-21-25, "Planning for a Safe Increased Return of Federal Employees and Contractors to Physical Workplaces, and for Effective, Efficient, and Inclusive Post-Reentry Work Environments,". Employees should contact the human resources office at their employing agency if they have further questions on specific authorities and flexibilities.

(February 19, 2021) - OPM COVID-19 Safety Plan
(April 23, 2020) OPM Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Resumption of Normal Workforce Operations
(April 14, 2020) OPM Statement re: Local Shelter-In-Place Orders
(March 7, 2020) OPM Memorandum - Additional Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on human resources policies for Federal agencies.
(March 3, 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.
(February 7, 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 3, 2020) OPM Memorandum - 2019 Novel Coronavirus - Links to CDC, OSHA, and Department of State resources.

(April 29, 2021) OPM Memorandum - COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave
(December 30, 2020) Application to Federal Employees - OPM Summary of Statutory and Regulatory Requirements in Connection with the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA)
(June 18, 2020) OPM Memorandum - Annual Leave and Other Paid Time Off Guidance
(May 27, 2020) OPM Fact Sheets: The Use of Flexible Work Schedules in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and The Use of a Maxiflex Work Schedule in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
(May 22, 2020) OPM Q&A Treatment of FFCRA Leave
(May 13, 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
(April 7, 2020) OPM Fact Sheet - Federal Employee Coverage under the Leave Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

(March 29, 2021) OPM Memorandum – Extension of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Excepted Service Hiring Authority
(March 27, 2020) 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 will be completed between the host agency and home agency for those who wish to participate.
(March 25, 2020) OPM Memorandum Temporary Procedures for Personnel Vetting and Appointment of New Employees during Maximum Telework Period due to Coronavirus COVID-19
(March 24, 2020) OPM Memorandum On-boarding Processes for New Employees During the COVID-19 Emergency
(March 20, 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

(April 14, 2020) OPM Memorandum - Waiver of the Premium Pay Limitation and Aggregate Pay Limitation for Employees Working in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
(April 3, 2020) OPM Fact Sheet - Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention incentive waiver requests for COVID-19 pandemic health crisis
(March 20, 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 19, 2020) OPM Fact Sheet - Coronavirus Fact Sheet containing additional guidance and answers to frequently asked questions regarding evacuation payments during a pandemic health crisis.

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