OF RECORD
1996-97: Emergency Closing
Under normal circumstances, the University never stops operating. The University recognizes that there are times, due to emergencies such as severe weather conditions, when classes may be canceled and/or schools/centers may be closed, except
for those positions which provide essential services. In an effort to insure the safety of faculty, staff and students, timely decisions to modify work
schedules will be made. There may be circumstances when classes are canceled, but schools/centers remain open, or vice versa.
Modifications of work schedules may take the form of either a partial or a full closing of the University's operations. In either situation, staff members
working in positions which are designated as "essential" are expected to remain at work if the closing occurs during their regular work schedule, or
to report to work if the closing announcement is made before their regular work schedule begins.
Communicating Modifications of Work Schedules
The University will announce a closing or other modification of work schedules through the following means:
- the University's special information number: 898-MELT (6358);
- through communications from the Division of Public Safety;
- KYW News Radio (1060 AM), the City of Philadelphia's official storm emergency center;
the University's emergency radio identification code
numbers are "102" for day classes and schools/centers and "2102" for evening classes. The message that accompanies the code number will provide the operating status of the University.
Please note that radio and television stations other than KYW are not to be considered "official" sources of information.
Types of Work Schedule Modifications
Please note that decisions affecting work schedules and cancellation of classes are made by the Executive Vice President in consultation with the Provost. These decisions will be communicated through the channels listed above. Schools/centers may not deviate from the University decision without the prior approval of the Executive Vice President in consultation with the Provost.
- Full Closing: A full closing occurs when conditions warrant cancellation of classes and closing of schools/centers, except those providing essential
services.
- Partial Closing: A partial closing occurs when circumstances warrant the cancellation of classes while schools/centers remain open, or vice versa.
- Delayed Opening: Occasionally, circumstances will warrant a delay in the opening time of schools/centers.
- Close Before the End of the Normal Work Day:
When there is a closing of schools/centers before the end of the work day, appropriate individuals
will be contacted by the Division of Public Safety so that they may release staff members in their respective areas. Additionally, the Division of Human
Resources will contact members of the Human Resource Council. Individual schools/centers should remain in operation until such an announcement
is received.
Recording Absence due to Emergency Closing
The following practices should be followed by supervisors to record time lost when a staff member is absent due to emergency conditions:
- If the University is closed after the start of the workday, staff members who reported to work
are compensated and the time lost during the period
of closing is considered time worked. The time off for staff members who did not report to work should be recorded as vacation or personal leave. If
neither is available, the time lost should be considered leave without pay.
- If the University is closed before the start of the scheduled work day, staff members are compensated for the entire scheduled work day and the
time lost is considered administrative leave with pay. The time off should not be charged to vacation or personal leave.
- If the University is not closed, staff members who do not report to work will be charged personal or vacation leave, provided the absence is
approved by the supervisor. If the staff member does not have personal or vacation leave available, the staff member will not be compensated for that
day. Sick leave may not be charged unless the staff member was out on sick leave before the emergency conditions arose.
- If the University is not closed, and the staff member requests permission to be released before
the end of his/her scheduled work day, the time lost
should be charged to personal or vacation leave. If the staff member does not have any leave time available, the hours not worked should be considered
leave without pay. If a closing announcement is made after the staff member's request to leave early was approved, the lost time should be recorded
as time worked from the time of the announced closing.
- If the University is not closed and a staff member arrives late due to emergency conditions affecting transportation, the supervisor may excuse
the lateness and consider it as time worked. Late
arrival beyond reason should be charged to personal or vacation leave.
Staff members who work in positions designated as "essential," who work when the University is closed, will be paid at their regular rate of pay
and will receive compensatory time equal to the time worked after the closing. Overtime compensation should be computed as normal.
Unionized Staff Members
Staff members in collective bargaining units are governed by the terms and conditions of their
respective collective bargaining agreements.
-- Division of Human Resources
Almanac
Volume 43 Number 13
November 19/26, 1996
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