The Latest on Agencies’ Return-to-Office Plans -
Oct 4, Govexec.com - Federal agencies are taking a variety of
approaches to bringing employees back into offices at least part time, even as their efforts have been complicated by the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Agencies were required to submit their reentry and post-reentry plans to the Office of Management and
Budget by July 19, which was shortly before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its mask
guidance for individuals vaccinated against COVID-19, due to the spread of the Delta variant. President Biden announced
on July 29 federal employees must attest to being vaccinated or submit to frequent testing and then on September 9, took even stricter
measures to contain the spread of the virus, issuing a vaccine mandate with exemptions only for medical or religious purposes.
Housing and Urban Development Department: “We are engaged in an inclusive, participatory process regarding what HUD’s workplace will
look like moving forward,” said a HUD spokesperson. “Our work will be shaped by the values of health, safety, and well-being of HUD employees;
achieving HUD’s mission, effectively, efficiently, and equitably; the health and safety of HUD’s ultimate clients – people served
by our programs; responsiveness to HUD’s grantees and external stakeholders; and staff morale, retention, and attracting talent.” read article
Request for a Medical Exception to the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Summary of OPM Vaccine October 1, 2021 Enforcement Guidance
Guidance on Applying Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirements to New Hires – Executive Order 14043 (OPM Oct 1)
Guidance on Enforcing Coronavirus 2019 Vaccination Requirement for Federal Employees - Executive Order 14043 (OPM Oct 1)
FAQ OPM Enforcement Guidance
Biden Administration Outlines Process for Disciplining, Removing Unvaccinated Feds - Oct 1, Gov Exec.com - The Biden administration on Friday issued guidance to agencies outlining the process for disciplining and, if necessary, firing federal employees who refuse to comply with President Biden’s requirement that all federal workers are vaccinated against COVID-19, urging “consistency” across the federal government in its enforcement of the rule.
An update from the White House Safer Workforce Task Force states that the Nov. 22 deadline for federal workers to be fully vaccinated means that agencies can begin the disciplinary process for employees who refuse to comply on Nov. 9, since it takes two weeks from the second Pfizer or Moderna shot—and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine—for the vaccine to provide full protection. read article
Sept 27 - "Vaccination Requirements Exemption Information" email from President Flynn, HUD 1000 for reasonable accommodationSept 20 - "Updated Union Demand to Bargain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination Mandate, Attestation & Testing Requirements" email from President Flynn, Demand To Bargain
Sept 15 - "Union Demand to Bargain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination Mandate, Attestation & Testing Requirements" email from Pres Flynn, Demand to Bargain
Sept 10 - "Executive Order on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees" email from Pres Flynn
What's Known So Far About the Vaccine Mandate for Feds, and More
September 15, GovExec.com - Last week the Biden administration instituted a mandate that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, eliminating the previous exception in the case of workers who agree to wear masks and submit to regular testing.
President Biden signed two exective orders, one requiring federal workers to be vaccinated with limited exceptions for religious or medical accommodations, and another doing the same for employees of federal contractors.
On Monday, the White House Safer Workforce Taskforce began to update its guidance to federal agencies to reflect the new policies, announcing that the deadline for federal workers to be fully vaccinated is Nov. 22. If a federal worker has not complied with the vaccine mandate by that date, he or she may be subject to progressive discipline, White House Officials said. read article
Sept 14, Council 222 files a Demand to Bargain over Corona Virus vaccination mandate attestation and testing requirements. The Union expects to hear more from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force which will come out with its guidance based on President Biden's Executive Order of September 9. The workforce is to provide guidance for implementation by September 16. Demand to Bargain