This year, there are some new inclement weather time and leave rules that you should be aware of:
When a court or court-related facility is open for any period of time on a day when there is inclement weather, employees who do not report to work are required to charge their annual leave* for a full day's absence, except as set forth below:
- Delayed Opening: When a court or court-related facility opens two and one half (2-1/2) hours or more after its regular opening time because of inclement weather, employees who do not report to work shall only be required to charge their annual leave* for the amount of time their court or court-related facility was open. The balance of the employee's shift shall be excused.
- Early Closing: When a court or court-related facility opens at its regular time and closes two and one half (2-1/2) hours or less thereafter because of inclement weather, employees who do not report to work shall only be required to charge their annual leave* for the amount of time their court or court-related facility was open. The balance of the employee's shift shall be excused.
The foregoing does not apply to employees who were already scheduled to be out on any type of approved leave on such day.
*Employees without sufficient annual leave credits may charge accrued compensatory time or pre-tour prep time, as may be applicable. Employees without sufficient annual leave credits, compensatory time and/or pre-tour prep time shall have the option to:
(1) request a voluntary leave without pay; or
(2) carry a negative annual leave balance until such employee has earned sufficient annual leave credits or compensatory time to restore a positive leave balance. An employee with a negative leave balance shall not be allowed to use compensatory time or annual leave credits earned until the negative leave balance has been eliminated. If an employee separates from service prior to the elimination of the negative leave balance, such negative leave balance shall be deducted from the employee's last paycheck.
Employees seeking to charge sick leave to cover unscheduled absences on days when a court or court-related facility opens late or closes early due to inclement weather may be required to submit documentation substantiating the need for sick leave on such date.