A reminder about severe weather procedures

Because most students live on campus, officials will attempt to keep the University open for classes and regular operations during severe weather.

If operations are being maintained in a staff member's department, he or she should report to work or notify his or her supervisor if reasonable attempts to do so fail, according to the University's Standard Practice Guide (SPG) on Emergency Closings, SPG 201.27.

Students and staff members who live a distance away are asked to make every reasonable effort to get to campus so that essential services can be maintained. At the same time they are advised to use good judgment about the risks of travel.

The University conducts business during severe weather, and employees are expected to report or take vacation time or U-M Health System (UMHS) Paid Time Off for work missed. Staff members also may elect time off without pay.

If the University declares an emergency closing, SPG 201.27, states: "Time lost from the regular work schedule during an Emergency Closing of the staff member's area will be without loss of regular compensation for regular and probationary staff." Pay issues are determined after the impact of the storm is assessed.

In the event severe weather begins after staff members are at work, it is up to the department to determine whether employees may leave early.

UMHS officials note that even during an emergency closing only areas that are considered noncritical shut down. Hospitals, public safety, transportation, food services, Plant Operations, housing and some research labs are considered critical services, and staff members are expected to make every effort to report to work. UMHS employees should call their supervisors if they are unable to report to work or are delayed.

The health system can provide some people in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area with a ride to work, the UMHS severe weather policy states. Supervisors or department heads will determine which employees need transportation assistance by calling staff members in advance of their shifts.

To review SPG 201.27, visit spg.umich.edu/pdf/201.27.pdf. UMHS employees are encouraged to review the severe weather policy at www.med.umich.edu/em/disaster/weather.htm.

Staff members represented by a union should consult their appropriate collective bargaining agreement for severe weather procedures.

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