There are about 20,000 employees in the first three states, said National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon, in a statement. Some 11,000 of them are subject to the recall, while the other 9,000 will remain on telework.
Rettig said the IRS is balancing urgent tax administration needs while doing everything possible to protect staff. He said the agency „will meet and where possible exceed the CDC’s safety guidelines“ and that facilities’ staff have „coordinated the cleaning of facilities, provided face coverings and hand sanitizer, and realigned workspace to allow for proper social distancing.“
For the voluntary return launched in April, the agency initially told employees to bring face coverings from home. It temporarily re-closed a facility in Kansas City earlier this month after a worker tested positive for Covid-19.
Reardon said the IRS should provide testing and basic medical screenings for those required to return to offices.
„The IRS has also informed us that employees are being called back in reverse order of seniority and that those with existing health conditions that put them at high risk will be allowed to continue to remain at home on weather and safety leave,“ Reardon said.
However, he said employees who have to care for children will be required to use personal leave if they can’t return.
For those who can perform their duties at home, Rettig said the agency’s mandatory telework policy would continue to apply to them for the foreseeable future to maximize social distancing for those who need to be in the workplace.
Source: politico.com
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