After being closed on account of snow for four straight workdays, Social Security's central offices in the Baltimore-Washington area are set to reopen on a two hour delay basis on Friday. Local school systems remain closed.
Federal employees did not cause the snow storm. Why should they and their families be penalized?
I am not sure that you really understand the situation here. There are more than 30 inches of snow down. You cannot walk through it. NONE of the side streets have been plowed, so you cannot drive through it. Even the main roads in DC mostly have only a single lane open, so the buses cannot pull over for passengers. Everybody has to stop for every stop. The subway is not fully operational; nor is the bus service, nor is handicapped access service. The commuter trains are not fully operational. Many of the government cafeterias and restaurants are out of food. No claimants can get out either (especially sick ones), so they could not come in to file claims or have hearings.
Yes, it would be wonderful to telecommute and not lose time. All employee unions have been pushing for this for years--it is the AGENCY that will not agree. But you should also be aware that many areas in and around DC are still without power, so telecommuting would be unavailable to them.
Also please notice that the government says we must come to work, but employees with children will have to stay home anyway and use their personal leave to care for their children. The agency refuses to permit employees to bring in their children in a weather emergency, or to allow parents to care for children when telecommuting (to the limited extent it is permitted).
You want to blame somebody. Blame the federal government that will not assist with emergency relief to DC to get the roads and rails cleared. Blame SSA that won't let us telecommute. Blame SSA that won't let us bring in our kids.
Curious about comment three. How is federal employees being penalized? Certainly not by weekend work and telework. Perhaps those folks are disabled of share similarities with certain type of claimants.
Curious about comment three. How is federal employees being penalized? Certainly not by weekend work and telework. Perhaps those dc/eastcoast snow suffering federal employees folks are disabled or share similarities with certain type of claimants.
That's good news! I bet the office's closure caused so much delay in the reception of claims and other official business.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!!!
ReplyDeleteConcur with comment one. Now weekend work should be in order!!
Federal employees did not cause the snow storm.
ReplyDeleteWhy should they and their families be penalized?
I am not sure that you really understand the situation here. There are more than 30 inches of snow down. You cannot walk through it. NONE of the side streets have been plowed, so you cannot drive through it. Even the main roads in DC mostly have only a single lane open, so the buses cannot pull over for passengers. Everybody has to stop for every stop. The subway is not fully operational; nor is the bus service, nor is handicapped access service. The commuter trains are not fully operational. Many of the government cafeterias and restaurants are out of food. No claimants can get out either (especially sick ones), so they could not come in to file claims or have hearings.
Yes, it would be wonderful to telecommute and not lose time. All employee unions have been pushing for this for years--it is the AGENCY that will not agree. But you should also be aware that many areas in and around DC are still without power, so telecommuting would be unavailable to them.
Also please notice that the government says we must come to work, but employees with children will have to stay home anyway and use their personal leave to care for their children. The agency refuses to permit employees to bring in their children in a weather emergency, or to allow parents to care for children when telecommuting (to the limited extent it is permitted).
You want to blame somebody. Blame the federal government that will not assist with emergency relief to DC to get the roads and rails cleared. Blame SSA that won't let us telecommute. Blame SSA that won't let us bring in our kids.
A DC/Baltimoron is TEN times more likely to have a snow day than federal employees at the same or higher latitudes elsewhere!
ReplyDeleteCurious about comment three. How is federal employees being penalized? Certainly not by weekend work and telework. Perhaps those folks are disabled of share similarities with certain type of claimants.
ReplyDeleteREVISED
ReplyDeleteCurious about comment three. How is federal employees being penalized? Certainly not by weekend work and telework. Perhaps those dc/eastcoast snow suffering federal employees folks are disabled or share similarities with certain type of claimants.
Weekend work is definitely a penalty for employees whose work schedules are Monday through Friday.
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule, most SSA employees cannot telework.
And, yes, many of us have disabilities.