What to Do During an Adverse Weather Event
Recently, we experienced an adverse weather event where nearly 100 employees received AWOL (Absence Without Leave) for calling off due to inclement weather (Read more about this Grievance here). To help you avoid similar issues in the future, here are some essential tips and guidelines:
Make Every Effort to Report to Work:
It is our responsibility to report to work. However, there are circumstances that may make this impossible, such as being snowed in, hazardous road conditions, etc.
Proactive Communication:
If you are aware of an upcoming adverse weather event, send an email to your supervisor requesting guidance on what to do if you are unable to report to work.
If you are informed that you will receive AWOL, forward that email to the Union immediately.
Gather Evidence:
If you are unable to report to work, collect as much evidence as possible. Take photos of road conditions, weather reports, or any obstacles preventing your commute.
Keep this evidence readily available in case the Union requests it for a future grievance filing.
Proper Leave Requests:
When calling in, specifically request emergency weather leave. If denied, request annual leave instead.
Do NOT request sick leave solely due to adverse weather conditions. If you are genuinely ill or caring for a sick dependent, then you can request sick leave without providing details, as the agency is not permitted to ask for evidence.
If asked to provide evidence for sick leave, do not comply. Instead, save all related emails and forward them to the Union immediately.
Document All Conversations:
Always document any conversations related to your leave requests.
If you call in to request any type of leave and are told it will be denied, immediately follow up with an email to your supervisor. In this email, report that you were advised you will receive AWOL for calling in due to the weather and request clarification.
If your manager confirms that you will receive AWOL, do not argue or engage in conflict. Simply forward all related emails to the Union.
Addressing Leave Denials:
The Master Agreement and Agency policy state that leave should not be denied arbitrarily.
If your leave is denied without a reasonable explanation or if you're told in advance that it will be denied without proper justification, this may constitute an arbitrary denial.
Union Support:
If your leave is denied, notify the Union as soon as possible.
Complete a grievance intake form and attach all relevant documentation.
The Union will review the materials and proceed if there is sufficient evidence to support filing a grievance.
By following these steps, you can better protect yourself during adverse weather events and ensure your rights are upheld.