It seems so simple. You see this one word on those news crawls at the bottom of your TV picture or on websites every time there is inclement weather—“Closed.”
But it seems the federal government can’t be so succinct when it wants to tell its employees that their workplace isn’t open. The confusing language used in announcements has the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issuing a change in procedure because of the unclear wording on notices of closures.
Previously, workers weren’t sure if they should head off to work in a snowstorm or hurricane, or if they could telecommute, or just not go in to work. And are they essential emergency personnel? Were they subject to delayed arrival? The HR problems—and complaints from employees—during recent storms piled up like blowing snow!
According to an article on FederalNewsRadio.com, the issue started with the Snowmageddon in 2010 and was now so contentious that it was addressed at a meeting of the federal Chief Human Capitals Officers Council.
During Snowmageddon, the OPM began issuing statements that federal offices were “closed to the public” when it determined the buildings should be closed. While it implied that emergency workers should come in, telecommuters were confused over whether they, too, were excused from working.
During Hurricane Sandy, “nonemergency” workers were given an excused absence for the day, unless they teleworked, were away on government business, or had alternative work schedules. But, still, many federal workers were unsure of what to do.
Now the problem may be resolved. The OPM will begin to use just the magic word (no, not “please”) in its language for its announcements:
“Federal offices are closed [emphasis added]. Federal employees required to work should follow their agency’s policies.”
And Angela Bailey, the OPM chief human capital officer, told FederalNewsRadio that agencies are instructed to make sure employees clearly understand what the general statement means and what to do under their agency’s specific closure policies. “It’s one of those things where, believe it or not, getting those words right seems to be one of the most difficult things for us.”