Planning for a Safe Reentry

July 19, 2021

This message is intended for all DOL employees and contractors.

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 has profoundly impacted our nation over the past twenty months. Moving to a maximum telework posture in

March 2020 allowed the Department to continue fulfilling its mission while protecting the health and safety of employees,

contractors, and visitors. Since I joined the Department in March of this year, I have been blown away by the

commitment and tireless determination of the Department's staff in pursuit of our mission, helping workers in America

and building an economy that works for all. This work is always hard, but especially so in the midst of public health and

economic crises. So first of all, thank you.

In May 2021, the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management, and General Services

Administration, in coordination with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force directed Departments and Agencies to take

prudent steps to plan for an effective, orderly, and safe increased return of Federal employees and contractors to the

physical workplace ("reentry"). Since that time, we have held more than 50 listening sessions with employees, managers

and supervisors, and DOL agency leaders. We have met regularly with union leadership. And, we established crossagency workgroups to tackle ideas ranging from safety and health protocols to telework and space management. This

feedback has been critical in developing plans that are safe, informed, and equitable for our employees and contractors,

and the visitors to our offices.

Starting September 7, 2021, I am excited to announce that the Department will implement a phased reentry approach to

safely return more staff to DOL offices. DOL will gradually lift occupancy limits in our offices to allow staff to begin

increasing the delivery of essential onsite services and activities.

On Tuesday, September 7, the Department will move to Phase 1, which permits up to 50% occupancy at DOL sites

for no less than thirty calendar days.

No earlier than Thursday, October 7, the Department will move to Phase 2, which permits up to 75% occupancy for

no less than thirty calendar days.

No earlier than Monday, November 8, the Department will move to Phase 3, which permits up to 100% occupancy.

This does not mean all staff will return right away beginning September 7. Employees will receive ample notice before

they will need to return onsite, and this will require a lot of planning and conversations within agencies, between

leadership and employees, and supervisors and employees. All of this will begin to happen in the coming weeks.

I would like to invite you to join me and the Deputy Secretary for a discussion on what's next for both reentry and the

future of work at the all-staff Town Hall scheduled for Thursday, July 22 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern.

Please find a link to access the Town Hall.

For those who may need ASL interpretation, please find a link to the ASL Interpreted Town Hall.

LABORNET

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For those who are not able to join us virtually on Thursday, this Town Hall will be recorded and available on LaborNet

following the event. This virtual gathering is just one in a series of opportunities to learn more about the Department's

reentry plan and future of work efforts. If you have questions you would like addressed at the Town Hall, please send

them to 

The Deputy Secretary, Julie Su, will be sending more information about DOL's Reentry and Post-Reentry Plans, which

will provide additional information about the Department's phases, plans for the future of DOL's work, and guidance for

employees.

Much remains to be worked out and we will accomplish that together. Thank you again for all your hard work and I look

forward to taking this next step with you.

Sincerely,

Marty Walsh

Secretary of Labor