Last week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) advised federal agencies to permit employees in the Washington, D.C. area the option of teleworking or taking leave this week, as preparations ramp up for a controversial military parade in the capital.
Slated for Saturday, the parade commemorates the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincidentally falls on President Trump’s 79th birthday, with anticipated costs reaching into the tens of millions of dollars.
In a memo circulated to federal chief human capital officers, OPM Associate Director for workforce policy and innovation Veronica Hinton cautioned that the parade preparations could exacerbate traffic congestion in the region, known for its notorious gridlock.
“It is anticipated that beginning on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, preparations for the celebration may cause significant impacts to vehicular traffic and commute times in Washington, D.C.,” the memo stated. Hinton emphasized the agencies’ authority to grant situational or unscheduled telework and other flexible work arrangements at their discretion to help manage the disruption.
She further urged agencies to consider requests for time off, which could include annual leave, other authorized absences, or modifications to work schedules. Employees who do choose to commute later this week should be prepared for increased delays, she warned.
“Beginning on June 11, 2025, employees reporting to a worksite in Washington, D.C., should allow extra time for travel to and from work whether by private vehicle or public transportation,” Hinton noted. She also advised employees to stay informed through local news outlets regarding street closures and disruptions to public transit. Agencies were encouraged to utilize all available communication channels to keep employees updated on relevant issues.
This recommendation followed the Agriculture Department’s directive for some D.C.-area staff to work remotely for three weeks due to the use of its headquarters for housing soldiers participating in the parade.
Upon returning to the office in January, President Trump had terminated regular telework arrangements across the federal workforce, despite studies indicating that telework improved productivity at federal agencies and highlighted the government’s slower adoption of this practice compared to the private sector. In instances, agencies have overlooked provisions in union contracts related to telework.