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Restricting/Closing Operations Because of Severe Weather Conditions - Campus Closure Procedure

Procedure

1.     Overnight Storms

a. In the event that a storm occurs overnight, the Vice President, Administration and Finance in consultation with the Provost and Vice President Academic, will communicate his/her decision to the Director, Integrated Risk Management  (IRM), who in turn will advise  the Assistant Vice President, Communications, Government & Community Engagement before 6:00 am.

b. The Assistant Vice President, Communications, Government & Community Engagement will communicate the University’s decision in accordance with established protocol.  Such communication shall include internal and external contacts.

2.     Storm During Normal Working Day

Once the normal work day has commenced, whether with full or restricted services, the requirement for any further related announcements will be determined by the Vice President Administration and Finance in consultation with the Provost and Vice President, Academic and will communicate his/her decision to the Director, Integrated Risk Management (IRM), who in turn will advise the Assistant Vice President, Communications, Government & Community Engagement.

3.     Employee Attendance at Work and Remuneration on Severe Weather Days

a. When the University remains open during unfavourable weather conditions, employees are expected to make every reasonable effort to report to work.  An employee unable to report to work must contact his or her immediate supervisor.

b. Only after a decision to close the University will employees not be required to work.  Individual employees or department heads are not to make decisions on early leaving by employees or closing of offices without specific authorization from the appropriate administrative representative.

c. If the University remains open during unfavourable weather conditions and an employee is unable to report to work, the employee, with the approval of his/her manager, shall normally elect one of the following three options to address his/her non-attendance at work:

i. Record the day(s) as leave without pay;

ii. Record the day(s) as a vacation day(s); or

iii. Record the day as compensating time off (CTO).

Options (ii) and (iii) are acceptable if the employee has sufficient credits in his/her vacation or CTO bank.   

d. If the University must close operations, employees shall be paid for those days or partial days the University is closed.  Employees who are required to work providing essential services during a period where the University has closed operations are entitled to equivalent time off at a later day, but not to overtime pay or to payment or to the payment as outlined in the applicable collective agreement

e. Any employees who are on unpaid leave or who are not scheduled to work on a day when the University is officially closed are not permitted to payment pursuant to the above paragraph.