Colleagues,
A deeply engaged and collaborative culture defines JPL’s legacy of excellence and innovation. To advance that culture as we position for the future, JPL will be implementing a full return to onsite work for all employees. We all know there are both challenges and opportunities ahead. We are likely facing a very tough budget environment — this is a time to have all hands on deck and to do everything we can to ensure the best possible future for the Lab.
We weighed this decision carefully. As we return, we will focus on cultivating relationship-building, mentoring, spontaneous interactions, and real-time problem-solving — all of which drive our most innovative work and will prepare us to meet the demands of today’s dynamic environment.
We recognize that a full return to in-person work is a significant change for many. Therefore, we are allowing longer than our telework policy mandates for people to fully return onsite. General telework employees will have until Monday, August 25, to fully return to their assigned work location, and remote telework employees — both in and outside of California — will have until Monday, October 27. Note that for those who can, we encourage returning to fully onsite work sooner than the required dates. Although rare exceptions are possible (see below), employees who do not return by their required date will be considered to have resigned.
Although our existing telework policy will be decommissioned, we’re maintaining flexible work benefits including RDO Fridays for employees on the 9/80 workweek schedule, up to two weeks of remote work from anywhere in the U.S. annually, and incidental telework for non-recurring or unplanned events (e.g., medical appointments or inclement weather).
Exceptions to the return-onsite mandate will be extremely rare and need to be worked through managers and ultimately approved by both a Director for and a small committee of Lab leadership. We may make time-limited exceptions for employees who intend to relocate or return fully onsite but require additional time to do so due to extenuating circumstances, such as being impacted by the recent fires.
On the week of June 2, we will provide the exception form to managers. On the week of June 23, we will ask fully remote employees to indicate by July 20 whether they intend to return to help us prepare for anticipated onsite presence and office space transitions.
I encourage you to review the resources available for employees on the Human Resources site, including FAQs, and to discuss specific concerns or support for transition needs with your manager.
Thank you in advance for your continued dedication to our mission, to NASA and to JPL.