HHS Updates Return to Physical Workspace Plan

HHS has updated its Return to Physical Workspace plan for all operating divisions, including NIH, as pandemic conditions are improving.

As part of the return, budget/finance, grants, acquisitions, human resources, equal employment opportunity and information technology employees will begin returning on the pay period that starts Mar. 27. All remaining employees are anticipated to begin returning Apr. 10. 

“While the Covid-19 pandemic has affected each of us in a variety of ways, much of our workforce has experienced a shift in their work/life fit, beginning with our shift to maximum telework in March 2020,” said acting NIH director Dr. Lawrence Tabak in a Feb. 9 all-hands email. “At NIH, our most important investment is each of you and it has been our priority to ensure that all flexibilities are considered as the state of the pandemic evolved.”

For many employees in these groups, the return to onsite work will be gradual with only a few days per pay period. For details about each phase, visit the Return to the Physical Workplace at https://employees.nih.gov/pages/coronavirus/return-physical-workspaces-guidance.aspx.