NCUA Moving to ‘Phase III’ in Bringing Employees Back to Work

 ALEXANDRIA, Va.–NCUA has informed its employees that it is now moving to “phase 3” of its resumption of on-site work.

In a memo to its staff, the agency said effective Monday, Oct. 17, it will start implementing a phase that includes an element of routine (not exception based) mandatory on-site work.  During Phase 3, employees may request telework arrangements for up to eight days in a two-week pay period, depending on work requirements.

The memo says on-site examination and supervision activity will be conducted under pre-pandemic operations in all locations. The virtual examinations that have been in place since the beginning of the COVID lockdowns have been among the primary reasons the agency has cited for being significantly under budget due to the lack of expenditures around examiner travel, as CUToday.info has reported. The memo notes that field staff may continue to conduct some examination and supervision procedures off-site that can be completed efficiently and effectively.  

About Teleworking

Office employees who wish to telework on a recurring basis may be required to renew or revise their telework agreements before Oct. 17, according to the announcement, which adds that NCUA’s collective bargaining agreement with certain  allows employees allows them to request a regular telework arrangement of one to four days per week.

“For clarification, office employees who work four, 10-hour days per pay period are required to work in-office, 2 days per period,” the memo reads. “Telework agreements must be requested and approved prior to commencement.  

Additionally, safety protocols regarding testing, health screening, and masks will remain consistent with guidance issued on August 19 around its COVID guidelines, NCUA said.

Webinar Scheduled

The agency said Chairman Todd Harper will be hosting an all-staff webinar before the transition and that more information regarding the webinar will be forthcoming. 

“We understand the last two-and-a-half years have been trying for many.  You have shown great resilience,” the memo states. “ And while the pandemic is not over, we are hopeful that our progression toward resuming on-site work continues to be successful.  Your dedication to the agency and our mission is greatly appreciated.”