ADVERSE WEATHER

 

1.  ADVERSE WEATHER POLICY

 

Policy Summary –If an employee is not able to come to work or has to report early or late due to bad weather, the employee may charge this absence to vacation leave or approved leave without pay. The employee may request approval to make up the time later with the approval of the department head.

Purpose of the Policy – The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the need to provide for necessary Town services in times of bad weather and to address safety concerns and equity for Town employees affected by these weather conditions.

Application of Policy – This policy applies to all regular and temporary Town employees and all types of adverse weather conditions.  Departments may implement further and more specific rules on reporting.

2.  RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

2.1 Reporting Procedures – Employees are encouraged to come to work. If conditions make this hazardous or not reasonably possible, employees are expected to call department staff either prior to scheduled reporting time as previously instructed or as soon as possible. Departments may specify departmental reporting requirements.

2.2 Use of Annual Leave or Unpaid Leave – Employees may use accrued annual leave or authorized unpaid leave to cover absences due to severe weather.

2.3. Use of Sick Leave – Employees may not use sick leave to cover absences due to severe weather conditions. If an employee is sick, sick leave may be used.  If time charged to vacation is reimbursed due to an extraordinary situation, employees who have used sick leave will not be reimbursed for their time since their absences are not due to the weather.

2.4 Working At Home – Department heads may authorize employees to work at home under certain circumstances. If such work is authorized, it will be counted as normal work hours.

2.5 Not Allowed to Work – An employee may be sent home if the department has no work that can be performed or an employee may be told not to report to work. In these circumstances, an employee will be paid and does not use accrued leave to be paid for the time not worked.

2.6 Facility or Program Closed – Unless specifically told not to report, employees should come to work if possible, even if the facility or program is closed.  Other duties may be assigned or the department may need employees on hand in case conditions change and the program/facility re-opens.

2.7 Picking Up Critical Staff – The Manager and the Department Heads decide which staff members are critical to maintain Town responsiveness in severe weather conditions. Efforts will be made by departments to transport critical staff members who are not able to get to work safely without this assistance. Available resources and the difficulty of reaching employees, due to distance or particular road conditions, will also play a part in deciding who gets picked up.  Employees are not guaranteed transportation to work.

2.8 Making up time – Non-exempt employees who wish to make up time lost due to bad weather at a later time must have this approved in advance by the department head.  Lost time due to bad weather must be made up within 12 months of the incident:time worked for this purpose may not be worked in a workweek where this additional time would result in hours worked over 40.  Departments may choose not to allow this option due to record requirements. Vacation time or other pay is not advanced against this approval.

2.9 Exceptional Circumstances – The Manager may develop specific policies in response to extraordinary weather conditions.  These policies apply only to the specific occasion for which they are developed.