Social Security's offices in the Baltimore-Washington area remain closed today due to the heavy snowfall. More snow is predicted. There is no telling how long this closure could last.
The Fairfax, VA field office follows the government closings announced by OPM. Check OPM's website at www.opm.gov to find out its status. Today, it is closed.
If I am reading your comment correctly, you are asserting that the cost borne for emergency closures should be absorbed by remaining open during weekends or other holidays (effectively, charging the absence as mandatory leave). While not an unreasonable argument (though I may disagree with it), you support this by stating that "the government" is failing to meet some enigmatic "public expectation", a perceived failure I might suggest transcends personnel attendance and I doubt is much exacerbated by closing federal offices for two or three days.
I don't think anyone would assert that keeping DC-area offices (public or private) open serves the best interests of the public while the area is being lambasted by a blizzard and a major winter storm together dropping a projected forty-some inches of snow in the area.
Personally, I would like to see federal government employees permitted -- to the extent possible without compromising privacy and security mandates -- to work remotely during emergencies so the time off is not a complete loss to the government, a practice common in the private sector. I certainly agree that keeping tens of thousands of employees from working fails to serve the public interest, and understand the resulting public angst. But without an infrastructure for doing so, to grumble about federal employees not travelling to work and insist that they personally absorb the cost of the debacle by working on the subsequent weekend is, with all due respect, misguided.
As i wrote the first response,there is nothing illogical about it's content. If i'm a troll then you know where you stand and it's not in front of me. Fact is many of the public are disatified with the government,particularly social security.
Secondly i agree with:
"Personally, I would like to see federal government employees permitted -- to the extent possible without compromising privacy and security mandates -- to work remotely during emergencies so the time off is not a complete loss to the government, a practice common in the private sector".
Telework seems to be reasonable for emergency situations.
May I ask if you are working today if you are local? It is extremely unsafe to be driving and some streets are completely untouched. Employees would gladly work from home if possible...as stated by someone else, often there are PII and security issues which do not allow for this.
Many millions of people depend on Social Security programs to survive, so until there is something better presented, I am standing by it.
Side note...no vehicles permitted on city roads except emergency vehicles right now.
Not in dc. Not a government employee. But i'm certain that blizzad isn't safe. Regardless,the government needs a better way to function in emergencies. Social security claimants and others who exercise their civil rights deserve more than a government shutdown.
Not in dc. Not a government employee. But i'm certain that blizzad isn't safe. Regardless,the government needs a better way to function in emergencies. Social security claimants and others who exercise their civil rights deserve more than a government shutdown.
I HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WORK SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
ReplyDeleteBAD ENOUGH,THE GOVENMENT DOESN'T MEET SOME PUBLIC EXPECTATION DURING NORMAL OPERATION BUT IT CERTAINLY ISN'T MEETING IT NOW.
Will the Virginia, fairfax area social security offices open. If so, when
ReplyDeleteanother foot expected today, people can't get to work if there is no mass transit or clear roads to dive on, even if they can dig out their cars...
ReplyDeletethat's drive on, sorry
ReplyDeleteThe Fairfax, VA field office follows the government closings announced by OPM. Check OPM's website at www.opm.gov to find out its status. Today, it is closed.
ReplyDeleteFirst Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteIf I am reading your comment correctly, you are asserting that the cost borne for emergency closures should be absorbed by remaining open during weekends or other holidays (effectively, charging the absence as mandatory leave). While not an unreasonable argument (though I may disagree with it), you support this by stating that "the government" is failing to meet some enigmatic "public expectation", a perceived failure I might suggest transcends personnel attendance and I doubt is much exacerbated by closing federal offices for two or three days.
I don't think anyone would assert that keeping DC-area offices (public or private) open serves the best interests of the public while the area is being lambasted by a blizzard and a major winter storm together dropping a projected forty-some inches of snow in the area.
Personally, I would like to see federal government employees permitted -- to the extent possible without compromising privacy and security mandates -- to work remotely during emergencies so the time off is not a complete loss to the government, a practice common in the private sector. I certainly agree that keeping tens of thousands of employees from working fails to serve the public interest, and understand the resulting public angst. But without an infrastructure for doing so, to grumble about federal employees not travelling to work and insist that they personally absorb the cost of the debacle by working on the subsequent weekend is, with all due respect, misguided.
It would be nice if they would let us know sooner than 10pm whether or not we have work the next day...
ReplyDeleteThe entire state is shut down, but Astrue still won't give the green light. F&%^er.
And for the joy of double posting:
ReplyDeleteI love how someone wrote a long, thought out response to an obvious drunken troll. Oh internets, will you ever have normal people?
HQ is closed on wed per inclement weather hotline.
ReplyDeleteNo Saj,
ReplyDeleteAs i wrote the first response,there is nothing illogical about it's content. If i'm a troll then you know where you stand and it's not in front of me. Fact is many of the public are disatified with the government,particularly social security.
Secondly i agree with:
"Personally, I would like to see federal government employees permitted -- to the extent possible without compromising privacy and security mandates -- to work remotely during emergencies so the time off is not a complete loss to the government, a practice common in the private sector".
Telework seems to be reasonable for emergency situations.
May I ask if you are working today if you are local? It is extremely unsafe to be driving and some streets are completely untouched. Employees would gladly work from home if possible...as stated by someone else, often there are PII and security issues which do not allow for this.
ReplyDeleteMany millions of people depend on Social Security programs to survive, so until there is something better presented, I am standing by it.
Side note...no vehicles permitted on city roads except emergency vehicles right now.
Not in dc. Not a government employee. But i'm certain that blizzad isn't safe. Regardless,the government needs a better way to function in emergencies. Social security claimants and others who exercise their civil rights deserve more than a government shutdown.
ReplyDeleteNot in dc. Not a government employee. But i'm certain that blizzad isn't safe. Regardless,the government needs a better way to function in emergencies. Social security claimants and others who exercise their civil rights deserve more than a government shutdown.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you...there should be more done to prevent complete govt shutdown.
ReplyDeleteSocial Security Administration: Friday Morning: 2 Hour Delay
ReplyDelete