1.0 PURPOSE

Situations may dictate that Wheeling Jesuit University delay the start of the work day or cancel the workday entirely. Such situations include weather emergencies and civil emergencies that put the students and employees at risk. The levels of operations are reduced as described below.

2.0 POLICY STATEMENT

2.1 Whenever weather conditions or civil emergencies warrant a reduced operating schedule, designated University officials will conference to determine the proper course of action. If necessary, proper notification will be issued; employees are expected to report for work unless otherwise notified.

2.2 The University will reduce operations as necessary per the following:

1. DELAY: Classes will be delayed for students and the work day start time will also be delayed for employees. When a delay is announced, both classes and the work day will start at 11:00 a.m. Employees who believe that reporting for work imposes an undue or unnecessary risk to them personally should contact their supervisor and arrange to take a personal or vacation day. Emergency essential employees will be required to report as soon as safety permits.
2. CANCELLATION: Classes are canceled for students; University offices will remain open even though classes are canceled. Employees are expected to exercise caution and report as early as practical. Employees who feel that reporting for work imposes an undue or unnecessary risk to them personally should contact their supervisor and arrange to take a personal or vacation day. Emergency essential employees will be required to report as soon as safety permits.
3. CLOSURE: Classes are canceled and the University offices are closed for the day. All University operations, including NTTC and CET, are not to report. Emergency essential employees will be required to report as soon as safety permits.

2.3 Proper Notification

Immediately after a decision is made to invoke a delay, a cancellation or a closure, the University community will be notified via the University's emergency notification system, radio and television. If the decision is initially reported as a DELAY but is subsequently changed to a CANCELLATION or CLOSURE, the notification will be repeated with the new information.

2.4 Compensation

Employees excused from work due to CLOSURE will receive their regular rate of pay for the time lost due to the CLOSURE. Full-time employees will be paid their normal salary or rate of pay up to a maximum of eight (8) hours. Part-time employees will be paid their normal salary if they were otherwise scheduled to work that day and only for the hours that they were scheduled to work. Temporary employees will not be compensated during a CLOSURE unless the temporary employee is part of the "Emergency Essential" staff. Employees who had previously scheduled the day as paid time-off will not be required to use accrued paid time off for the day.

2.5 Emergency Essential Employees

Employees will be notified in advanced if they are considered part of the "Emergency Essential" staff and must report when the University is DELAYED, CANCELLED or there is a CLOSURE. Such personnel will include, but will not be limited to, physical plant employees, security and food service. These people are expected to report as close to their regularly scheduled time as possible but in as safe a manner as possible. Employees who report will receive additional compensation (double time) for all hours worked. Emergency essential employees who cannot make it in must report off and use a vacation or personal day.

2.6 Authority

The Director of Human Resources, in conjunction with the Director of Safety and Security, has the authority to change, modify or approve exceptions to this policy at any time with or without notice and with the approval of the University President.