QWhy are we being penalized for not coming in when the University was closed Jan. 12? When every other business in the free world makes the decision to close for the day, this means that the employees are not held responsible for the time missed. If this is not what is meant by UNC when it announced it was closed, what exactly is meant? What does being closed mean for employees; how is it different from being open? I am seriously concerned about this because on other snow days I walked to work because the buses weren't working and my car was stuck. It took me over an hour to get here in treacherous conditions, but I did it because I could not afford to lose the hours.
AThe state's Adverse Weather Policy requires that all time lost due to adverse weather must be accounted for, whether or not state offices or universities actually close. The Jan. 12 closing of the University was an unusual situation. The weather conditions were extremely hazardous. In the interest of safety of employees, the University was closed to ensure that noncritical employees did not attempt to come to work in these hazardous conditions.
While it is true that some businesses do not hold employees responsible for time missed due to adverse weather, it is also true that some businesses do not pay employees for time lost and do not allow opportunities for employees to use vacation leave or make up the time. The state's policy responds to the expectation of taxpayers that state employees are paid for time worked.
The University's policy on adverse weather is as flexible as allowed by state policy. In addition, deans, directors and department heads have been encouraged to exercise flexibility in allowing employees to make up lost time.
Laurie Charest, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources.
QWhat is the University's justification for this "no closing" policy in extreme weather? I (and undoubtedly a lot of other University employees) have no understanding of the University's policy of remaining "open" under any weather conditions. While I recognize that it is necessary to have personnel in the vital services such as transportation and grounds for road clearing, I can find no justification for not canceling classes and closing libraries and offices when state police are asking everyone who does not absolutely need to be on the road to stay home. The policy seems punitive to staff. While some staff can make this time up, certain personnel categories have severe restrictions on how they may do this.
AThe operations of the University are extremely diverse, including academic and student support, health care and patient support, and research and research-support activities. Many of these activities must continue regardless of weather conditions. As we demonstrated on Jan. 12, the University can and does close when weather conditions are extremely hazardous. However, whether or not the University closes, the provisions of the state's Adverse Weather Policy require that employees account for time lost due to adverse weather.
Elson Floyd, Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff
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