The University expects to remain open and in full operation regardless of weather conditions, transportation disruptions or other emergencies. Therefore, all employees are expected to make every reasonable effort to report to work during such conditions.

On rare occasions, weather or other extreme emergencies may cause the University to curtail operations, delay opening or close entirely. Such a determination is made by the President’s Office with guidance from the University’s emergency response team; a determination should not be made on an ad hoc, department-by-department basis.

Once a decision is made, the University will make its operating status clear in the following ways:

In addition, whenever possible, the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources will notify HR Officers of the operational status of the workplace.

Non-essential personnel:

If the University makes the decision to close operations for the day, non-essential personnel will be excused with pay, provided they were originally scheduled to work that day.

Essential personnel:
In an emergency, even if the University is closed, some functions require the onsite presence of essential personnel to insure continued safe and secure operations. Essential personnel are expected to remain at, or report to, work as scheduled during emergency situations or University closures unless specifically directed otherwise by the unit supervisor.

Department heads should, in consultation with HR Officers, establish what services and personnel are essential beforehand and make expectations for reporting and communicating clear. Depending on the nature of the situation, other personnel may be deemed essential at the time of an emergency.

Failure of essential personnel to report to work as required may be cause for disciplinary action.

Notes

1. Dates of official enactment and amendments: Updated September 2013

2. History: Supersedes Policy Dated April 2000

3. Cross References:


Notes
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  1. Dates of official enactment and amendments: Not Available
  2. History: N/A
  3. Cross References: N/A