Given the potential of adverse weather this coming week, I wanted to share a few brief reminders regarding the State’s and the University’s adverse weather protocols.
- Our UNC System Adverse Weather and Emergency Events Policy, which was last updated as of January 1, 2016, is based on the State’s adverse weather policy and remains in force. A copy of this Policy is attached and is also available in the HR Professionals portion of the System Office HR intranet.
- This Policy is supplemented by the UNC System Office memorandum on “Guidance for EHRA Employees During Adverse Weather and Emergency Events” which is dated February 12, 2016 and the memorandum on “Adverse Weather Guidelines” dated September 20, 2016. These memorandums, both of which are attached, explains the applicability of the University’s Adverse Weather Policy to EHRA employees and summarizes specific criteria and pre-approval requirements related to Condition 3 status.
- With respect to any upcoming adverse weather event, in the event your local governmental jurisdiction declares an area which includes your campus as a voluntary or mandatory evacuation zone, you may assume the System Office would approve any institutional request for Condition 3 status, if made. Beyond that, we would generally work with you post-incident to assess the applicability of Condition 3 status given the thresholds defined in State Policy.
- Under State Policy, the Governor declaring a state of emergency does not automatically trigger any specific adverse weather Condition level for State Government or the University, including Condition 3.This is often a point of confusion and is worth clarifying in your adverse weather communications.
- The State’s policies limit most adverse weather events to Conditions 1 and 2. Under these policies, Condition 3 is reserved for very limited and generally catastrophic events. Refer to the Adverse Weather and Emergency Events Policy for the specific criteria which are eligible to trigger Condition 3.
- The State requires strict adherence to its adverse weather guidelines, so please avoid pre-announcing Condition 3 status with respect to excusing missed employee work time until you have consulted with System Office HR and received formal approval. This approval is generally obtained once the adverse weather event is concluded, although certain circumstances as noted previously can trigger this approval beforehand.
- Institutions are reminded that under Condition 2, the institution’s operations are suspended and with the exception of limited essential or mandatory personnel, all other employees are required not to report to work. Condition 3 is mostly a matter of differences in how missed employee work time is administratively handled, which therefore can generally be addressed post-event.
- As with past severe storms, please be assured that the System Office will continue to seek added authorities and special provisions from State Human Resources to respond to exceptional situations and circumstances.
If you have any questions regarding the adverse weather policy or its application before, during, or after an upcoming adverse weather event, CHROs or their deputies should not hesitate to contact a member of the System Office Human Resources team. Associate Vice President Chris Chiron serves as the primary point of contact in System Office HR on adverse weather matters. Other System Office HR points of contact during adverse weather situations include myself, Brian Usischon, Dawn Spinozza, and Kathy Bryant.
Stay safe and let us know if we can be of any assistance.
- Adverse Weather and Emergency Event Policy
- Adverse Weather for EHRA Employees 02-12-2016
- Adverse Weather Procedures Memo 09-20-16
Sent from Matt Brody