Closing State Offices / Directing Early Departures (Severe Weather or Other Extraordinary Circumstances) Policy

Policy Statement

The statewide policy reserves only the Governor the authority to close state buildings and allow employees to be absent without charge to leave credits. The policy identifies emergency situations and enumerates the leave procedures to be utilized by the State University of New York’s state-operated campuses and the University’s System Administration, in response, along with procedures for obtaining waivers to the policy. It is New York State policy not to close state facilities, offices, or operations as a result of extraordinary weather conditions. In all such circumstances, offices are considered open for business.

Definitions

There are no definitions for this policy at this time.

Policy Procedures

It is understandable that in certain extraordinary situations it may not be possible for employees to get to work. This could be due to impassable roads, declaration of a state of emergency by a governmental official, etc. (NOTE: A declaration of emergency, even by the Governor, does not automatically mean closure of state offices. If there is to be closure of state offices in such a situation, that determination would result from a separate action by the Governor.) Certainly, employees as citizens are expected to abide by civil authority. Nevertheless, even in such situations, absence is the employee’s responsibility and employees will be expected to charge their absences as appropriate (see: Employee Attendance Guidelines in the Case of Severe Weather Conditions or Other Extraordinary Circumstances).

In an instance when the University is to be closed, the appropriate authorities must obtain authorization to close from the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER). GOER will consult with the New York State Office of General Services and/or the Director of State Operations. Once authorization has been received, the University will release both internal agency communication and media announcements to the public. If questions arise as a result of a radio broadcast, telecast or other announcement involving the campus, a telephone call to your supervisor is recommended to obtain clarification prior to taking action. It should be noted that even when closures occur, employees performing essential services are expected to report to work in emergencies as part of their job responsibilities related to the emergency itself. While some positions are always deemed essential, others may be deemed essential on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular extraordinary circumstance.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Governor’s Office of Employee Relations Website

State Attendance and Leave Manual

NYS Executive Law, Article 2-B

Contact Information

There is no contact information for this policy at this time.

History (in descending order)

Approval

There are no approvals for this policy at this time.