The Social Security Administration is reportedly denying its excepted employees, who are working unpaid during the government shutdown, requests for time off and telework, despite OPM guidance advising agencies to grant such flexibilities or furlough status. Union officials assert that SSA is instead marking employees as Absent Without Leave (AWOL), which can result in denial of backpay and disciplinary action. While SSA claims it's following guidelines, the union contends that denial rates have increased, and new, stringent requirements (like medical documentation for a single sick day) are being imposed, causing severe financial distress and resignations among low-wage employees.
Read more: https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/10/ssa-denying-excepted-workers-time-telework-requests-seemingly-defying-shutdown-guidance/408958/
