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Policies

Administrative Closings Due To Inclement Weather

Human Resources Policy: 20.052

Brown's administrative offices and/or other parts of the University may occasionally close early, close for the full business day, or delay opening due to severe weather conditions. In addition, other situations or circumstances may cause the University to call for an Emergency closure.

Employee Responsibilities during Inclement Weather or Emergency Closure

Normal operating hours are in effect unless an official announcement is made to the contrary. During inclement weather employees are responsible for inquiring about Brown's operating status by using the following administrative information sources:

Unless an opening delay or administrative closing has been declared, employees are expected to make every reasonable effort to get to work as scheduled.
Emergency Closure for the University will be announced using the following information sources:

  • Emergency notification email blasts;
  • Emergency notification messages to campus telephone lines and registered home and/or cell phone numbers;
  • Providence-area radio stations;

Use of Sick or Vacation Time during Inclement Weather or Emergency Closure

When employees deem the weather or other condition too hazardous for them to commute, but no administrative or emergency closing has been declared, they may use accrued vacation time to stay at home after notifying their supervisors. Employees who elect this option, but have no accrued vacation time available, may take the day off without pay with the permission of their supervisors.

Employees scheduled for sick time (e.g., for a doctor's appointment) or vacation time on days when administrative closings or delays are declared will not be affected by the closings for purposes of sick and vacation time and their scheduled time will be deducted as normal.

Non-Deferrable Positions

The work of some employees is considered non-deferrable. Employees performing duties deemed non-deferrable may be required to report to or to remain at work regardless of administrative closings or delayed openings. It is the department head's responsibility to identify the personnel so affected and to advise them in advance of their respective obligations.

The Human Resources Department is available to assist department heads in identifying work deemed urgent and, therefore, non-deferrable. A list of such departments and positions should be submitted each October to and kept on file in the Human Resources Department.

Working and Compensation during Administrative Closings and Delays or Emergency Closure

Employees who are released from work due to administrative closings or delays or Emergency Closure will receive their normal pay. Employees not required to report to or stay at work due to a closing or delay, who elect to remain at work or come in despite the closing or delay, will receive their regular pay without special compensation for the day or hours worked.

Non-deferrable employees (as defined above) are paid as follows, depending upon the type of position they hold: employees working in nonexempt positions are paid at time and one-half for each hour worked during an administrative closing; and employees in exempt positions are paid their regular salaries when required to work during administrative closings or delays.

Non-deferrable employees who are scheduled to work during an administrative closing or Emergency Closure but do not report must use vacation time or time off without pay. Employees who are required by their supervisors to stay on campus overnight during an Emergency Closure will be provided with accommodations, but will not be compensated for rest/sleep time. Employees who are stranded on campus and are not required by their supervisors to stay or to be on-call are not eligible for compensation.