When Bates College declares a weather emergency, only "essential" personnel should report for work as scheduled.

If the President, or his or her designee, declares a weather emergency and the College closes its offices, each department head will have determined, in advance, on the basis of typical categories of situations (e.g., weather emergencies), who in the department is to be considered "essential." However, it is understood there will be unanticipated categories of emergency that may require the director of the department to make last-minute contact with key employees.

Employees not asked to report to work (except temporary employees) will receive their regular pay. If an employee is on vacation or sick leave during a declared weather emergency (and College offices are closed), the day(s) of emergency will be added to the employee's vacation or sick leave balance.

Regular non-exempt employees who are required to work during a weather emergency will receive pay at 2 ½ times the straight time rate of pay. This is figured by adding 1 ½ times pay (the overtime rate) and an added 1 time (straight-time) pay to make allowance for the excused time pay received by other nonexempt employees during the emergency.

If Bates does not declare that College offices are closed as a result of a weather emergency, weather conditions nevertheless may cause employees to be concerned about traveling to and from work depending on the distance of travel, the hazards of driving or other subjective factors. In such cases, the employees will have to make their own judgments about whether to stay home or to leave work early. An employee's decision, based on individual circumstances, will be respected when shared with his or her supervisor. If an employee chooses not to travel or decides to leave work early because of concerns about the weather, he or she may use accumulated vacation time, make up the time on other days within the same week (or its practical equivalent) if approved by the supervisor, or take leave without pay.

Temporary employees may be required to report for work during weather emergencies if they are declared essential. Temporary employees who work during the weather emergency will receive time-and-one-half pay for hours worked, in accordance with the normal pay policies and practices of the College.