Suspended Operations or Inclement Weather

Policy

The College President or the President’s designee may suspend operations of the College if any or all portions of the campus conditions require closing or suspending operations.

When an employee is unable to report to work or remain at work due to inclement weather or when other emergencies or unforeseen circumstances require the college to suspend operations and close, the employee shall account for time as required by applicable collective bargaining agreements, applicable rules, regulations and/or as identified in this policy.

Purpose

This policy is intended to provide guidance regarding options available to applicable employees to account for time when the campus may be closed or operations suspended due to inclement weather or other emergency situations where an employee may not be able to make it in to work, or where the college closes and/or operations are suspended.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

This policy applies to all non represented exempt, represented and non represented hourly, student employees and volunteers.

References

None

Definitions

Academic Employees - Academic Employees should refer to the terms set forth in the Faculty Negotiated Agreement. 

Non-Represented Exempt Employees - Exempt employees may voluntarily adjust their work week schedule or arrange for a reasonable time to make up the lost time with approval of their supervisor.  Exempt employees may also utilize available annual (vacation) leave, personal leave, or personal holiday.

Represented Exempt Employees – Represented Exempt Employees should refer to the terms set forth in the Exempt Bargaining Unit Agreement.

Inclement Weather – whenever weather conditions are such that an employee is unable to report to work or remain at work and the college remains open.

Overtime Eligible – applies to positions that do not meet the Fair Labor Standards Act definition for exemption from overtime and are therefore considered to be non-exempt and eligible for overtime at the minimum rate of time and one-half the employee’s regular rate of pay. Overtime Eligible also applies to any position or class of positions that are deemed eligible for overtime by applicable union contract or the College.

Severe Inclement Weather – whenever weather conditions are such that the employee is unable to report to work or remain at work and the college operations are suspended.

Overtime Exempt– applies to positions that meet the Fair Labor Standards Act definition for exemption from overtime, that are exempted from overtime and for which overtime is not paid.

Represented Hourly Individuals and Non-Represented Part Time Hourly Employees - Represented hourly individuals and non-represented part time hourly employees can voluntarily adjust their work week schedule with supervisor approval, otherwise, the time off will be unpaid time.

Suspended Operations – whenever the College determines that employees, students or public health, property or safety is jeopardized and the College is closed, or whenever such other emergency conditions exist which result in College closure.

Procedure

All employees affected by suspended operations or inclement weather closure that are using leave to account for their time must account for their time in accordance with the College applicable leave procedures. Volunteers should not report to work nor perform work at any remote location during suspended operations.  An employee required to work during suspended operations must report the time worked during suspended operations to their supervisor for approval.

Notification

If the College President or the President’s designee decides to suspend operations or close the campus, employees will receive notification that will include information regarding the specific College site(s) affected, the extent of full or partial closure and the expected duration.  Director of Marketing and Communications will be responsible for completing the notification process to include:

• College voicemail system
• TCC website (tacomacc.edu) – notice on homepage with updates
• Internal website update (The Bulletin)
• Facebook and Twitter announcements
• All Student and All Staff email
• E2Campus notification (text or email notification to students and staff)
• FlashAlert Newswire– alerts all media, including TV, radio, newspapers
• Readerboard announcements (exterior digital screens)

Employee Absence Due To Suspended Operations

When the College closes due to suspended operations employees who are unable to report for work or remain at work may account for lost work time using one or a combination of the following options, in accordance with applicable bargaining agreements, rules, policies or regulations.

Employee Absence During Inclement Weather College Remains Open

When the College remains open during inclement weather, employees who are unable to report for work or unable to remain at work may account for lost work time using one or a combination of the following options, in accordance with applicable bargaining agreements, rules, policies or regulations. 

The President, or designee may authorize compensation for lost work time due to inclement weather.  This authorization may be provided for all or a portion of lost work time due to inclement weather or in combination with other available options as provided by policy, rules, regulations and/or applicable bargaining agreements

Exempt Employees

When prior notification has not been given, exempt employees released until further notice after reporting to work, will suffer no loss in pay for the first day. The following options will be made available to the affected exempt employees who are not required to work for the balance of the closure: voluntarily adjustment in the work week schedule, approved supervisor arrangement for a reasonable time to make up the lost time, utilization of available annual (vacation) leave, personal leave, personal holiday, or authorized leave without pay.

Represented Hourly Individuals and Non-Represented Part Time Hourly Employees

Represented hourly individuals and non-represented part time hourly employees can voluntarily adjust their work week schedule with supervisor approval, otherwise, the time off will be unpaid time.

Staffing During Suspended Operations

In the event of suspended operations, the President or the President’s designee shall determine the number and type of staff needed during suspended operations. Except for employees required to work during suspended operations, an employee should not report to work nor perform work at any remote location unless approved to do so by their supervisor.