(A) The following processes and procedures shall represent the weather related closing policies of the City of Bedford.
(B) The City of Bedford serves the citizens of our city and it is very important our departments remain open whenever possible. This policy relates to non-essential employees only. Essential personnel must report to work as scheduled during inclement weather. This would include police and dispatch, firemen, water plant and street department drivers who are called to duty. Such essential designations may change from time to time, depending upon the particular circumstances of each situation. In addition to receiving their regular daily salary or wage for such a day, those "essential" employees who are working when the emergency is declared, or who report to work for any shift during the emergency, shall be entitled to compensatory time off or overtime equal to the number of hours actually worked during the emergency as stipulated in our overtime policy. "Non-essential" employees who are not called in to work shall receive their regular pay for such day. Those "non-essential" employees who, nonetheless, voluntarily report to work on such a day shall not receive any compensation in addition to their regular rate of pay.
(C) In the event inclement weather threatens after a work day has begun, the Mayor may order an early closure of offices to enable the safe travel home by employees. When such an order has been issued, the Department Heads will be notified and they in turn will notify their employees. Staff will be paid for the entire work day in cases such as this. An employee on previously approved vacation or sick leave will not be affected by such a decision. An early closure or late opening time is not a "bonus" time but time to be used for the safety of those at work.
(D) If in the opinion of the Mayor, inclement weather prohibits the opening of the offices at the usual time or prohibits the opening of the offices for an entire day, notification of the department heads will be made as early as possible. Department Heads should establish a calling procedure for employee notification. Notification will also be placed on the following radio stations, WBIW and WQRK in Bedford, and will specifically be stated as City of Bedford Offices.
(E) If offices are closed for an entire work day, non-essential employees will be paid for the entire day. If offices are opened on a late schedule, non-essential employees reporting to work at the designated time will be paid for the full day. Non-Essential Employees not able to make it in to the office will not be disciplined for failing to be at work and will be allowed to take accrued leave for the balance of the day in full or half day increments.
(Ord. 50-2005, passed 11-8-05)