Federal employees in the D.C. area suggested to work from home and additional flexibilities offered prior to the scheduled military parade, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a memo to federal chief human capital officers, advising employees working in the Washington, D.C. area to consider teleworking or taking leave during the week of a controversial military parade scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2025.

The memo, written by OPM Associate Director Veronica Hinton, urges federal agencies to approve telework or other workforce flexibilities for impacted employees due to potential traffic problems from parade preparations, starting from Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

The OPM memo comes in light of President Trump's order in January 2025, which effectively ended regularly scheduled telework across the federal workforce. However, the OPM is reminding agencies of their authority to approve such flexibilities to alleviate traffic congestion, prevent disruptions, and minimize distractions to law enforcement and security officials.

The military parade, which is billed as celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary, is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars. The Agriculture Department has already directed some D.C.-area workers to work remotely for three weeks, as the department's headquarters will be used to house soldiers participating in the parade.

Employees are advised to monitor local news media for street closures and disruptions to public transportation. Agencies should use all communications tools to inform employees of any relevant, agency-specific issues.

Despite evidence that telework improves productivity at federal agencies and that the government lags behind private industry in its usage of the practice, some agencies disregarded provisions of union contracts governing telework. The OPM memo serves as a reminder of the benefits of telework and the importance of flexibility during such events.

The OPM's recommendation urges employees to allow extra time for travel due to potential traffic problems from parade preparations, starting from June 11, 2025. It is hoped that these measures will ensure a smooth commute for federal employees during the parade week.

Federal employees in the D.C. area suggested to work from home and additional flexibilities offered prior to the scheduled military parade, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).