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.