EMERGENCY NIST ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL, AND CLOSURE
Sections
6.02.01
PURPOSE
This subchapter states policy and procedures on emergency arrival,
dismissals, and closures.
6.02.02
SCOPE
The provisions of this subchapter apply to all NIST employees at Gaithersburg.
6.02.02
AUTHORITY
a. The full-day closing, unscheduled leave, adjusted home departure,
adjusted departure/unscheduled leave, or adjusted work dismissal of NIST
may be authorized only by the NIST Director (or designee) or by higher
authority.
b. Closing of government agencies in Washington, D.C. by the Office
of Personnel Management or the Department of Commerce because of unique
situations affecting the downtown area may not apply to NIST. Directions
for closing the NIST-Gaithersburg site come from the NIST Director or designee.
6.02.04
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Facilities Services Division and the Plant Division are responsible
for developing and implementing plans in their functional areas to handle
conditions resulting from hazardous weather and other emergencies. For
specifics on these plans, see the Facilities Emergency Action Plan,
which is available from the Physical Security Group.
6.02.05
POLICY ON LEAVE
a. A Full-Day Closing - NIST Will Not Open - Non-emergency employees
are excused from duty without loss of pay or charge to leave, including
employees who otherwise would have been on approved leave
(Code 66 - Administrative Leave). Employees designated as emergency employees are expected to report for work on time.
b. Unscheduled Leave (formerly known as Liberal Leave) - NIST will open on time, but non- emergency employees may take annual leave or leave without pay (LWOP) without the prior approval of their supervisors. Employees must inform their supervisors. Employees designated as emergency employees are expected to report for work on time.
c. Adjusted Home Departure (formerly known as Delayed Arrival or Late Opening) - Non-emergency employees should adjust their normal home departure time consistent with the NIST announcement. For example, if an employee normally leaves for work at 7:00 a.m. and is directed to delay departure for two hours, the employee would not leave for work until 9:00 a.m. The employee would be granted excused absence from the time they normally arrive at work until the time they actually arrive at work (Code 66 - Administrative Leave). In determining the amount of excused absence to grant, supervisors should consider such factors as distance, availability and mode of transportation, and the success of other employees in similar situations. Employees designated as emergency employees are expected to report for work on time.
d. Adjusted Home Departure/Unscheduled Leave - Non-emergency employees may take annual leave or leave without pay (LWOP) without the prior approval of their supervisors. Employees must inform their supervisors. Employees designated as emergency employees are expected to report for work on time.
e. Adjusted Work Dismissal (formerly known as Early Closing) - Non-emergency employees will have their normal work dismissal time adjusted consistent with the NIST announcement. For example, if a three-hour early dismissal is announced, employees who would normally leave work at 5:00 p.m. would be authorized to leave at 2:00 p.m. without loss of pay or charge to leave (Code 66 - Administrative Leave). Employees designated as emergency employees are expected to depart from work at their normal work dismissal time.
(1) When an employee is scheduled to report for work before their authorized dismissal time, but fails to do so, the agency will charge annual leave, sick leave, LWOP or absent without leave (AWOL), as appropriate, for the entire workday.
(2) During adjusted work dismissal, when an employee is absent on previously approved annual leave, sick leave, or LWOP for the entire workday, the employee is charged leave for the entire workday.
(3) When an employee is on duty at the time an adjusted work dismissal is announced, an excused absence is appropriate for the remainder of the workday following the employee's authorized dismissal time, even if the employee is scheduled to take leave later in the day.
(4) When an employee leaves before the adjusted work dismissal is announced, the employee will be charged leave or AWOL for the remainder of the workday.
(5) When an employee leaves after receiving official word of the adjusted work dismissal, but before the time set for their authorized dismissal time, leave will be charged from the time the employee left until the employee's authorized dismissal time.
(6) When an employee is scheduled to return from leave after the announcement of an adjusted work dismissal, but before their authorized dismissal time, leave will be charged for the period during which the employee is on approved leave and the employee will be granted an excused absence for the period following their authorized dismissal time, even if the employee is scheduled to take leave later in the day.
(7) When an employee is scheduled to report for work after an adjusted work dismissal is officially announced, an excused absence is appropriate for the remainder of the workday, even if an employee is scheduled to take leave later in the day.
(8) Under this policy, an employee may be exempted from their authorized
dismissal time only to avoid hardships such as when younger children are
dismissed early from school and no alternative forms of child care are
available to the employee. An employee excused for this reason is not to
be charged leave.
6.02.06
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
a. When weather or other conditions are hazardous, the Director is
advised by the Director of Administration whether the Gaithersburg site
should close and at what time. If the Director decides to announce an adjusted
work dismissal, the Director of Administration notifies the Chief, Facilities
Services Division, of the decision.
b. The Facilities Services Division notifies all Operating Unit offices of the adjusted work dismissal.
c. Operating Units notify all divisions within their area.
d. Divisions notify groups within their area.
6.02.07
MEDIA NOTIFICATION
In the event of hazardous weather or emergency conditions developing
overnight, the Chief, Facilities Services Division, makes a determination
by 5:00 a.m. as to the travel conditions to NIST and conditions on the
site and recommends to the Director of Administration whether the Gaithersburg
site should open for business. If NIST is to be closed or if unscheduled
leave, adjusted home departure, or adjusted home departure/unscheduled
leave are to be effected, the Facilities Services Division notifies radio
and television stations and places an announcement on the NIST Facilities
Status Line (1-800-437-4385, extension 8000). A list of the radio and television
stations is available on the Facilities Services Division Homepage.