Adverse Weather Conditions Guidelines

Please note that compliance with University Guidelines is expected in normal circumstances, and any deviation from Guidelines – which should only be in exceptional circumstances – needs to be justifiable.

Purpose

To set out standard expectations for staff whose work is affected in the event of Adverse Weather Conditions.

Organisational scope

These guidelines apply to all University of Otago staff members.

Content

1. In the event of Adverse Weather Conditions, the University will remain open, and staff are expected to make all reasonable and safe efforts to attend work. Where it is not reasonable or safe for a staff member to attend work due to Adverse Weather Conditions, they are encouraged to work from home if possible.
2. In the event of Adverse Weather Conditions, staff members are expected to contact their manager at the earliest opportunity to discuss their working situation. Staff are expected to notify their manager at their earliest opportunity if they:
   1. Are unable to attend work, or
   2. Will be significantly delayed, or
   3. Will be working from home.
3. If, without explanation, a staff member does not attend work or opt to work from home, their manager may deduct annual leave for some or all of that day.
4. Staff who are unable to work from home due to the nature of their role are expected to either come to work as soon as it is possible and safe to do so, or to take the entire day as annual leave.
5. Under some conditions, it may not be possible for a staff member to work for some or all their normal hours. Staff will not have any deduction taken from their annual leave if:
   1. They are unable to work from home and cannot attend work for an entire day because public transport is not operating and their usual method of transport is unfeasible or unsafe due to distance, road conditions, or personal safety; or
   2. They are delayed due to adverse weather conditions, including when they are late because of responsibilities to a dependent (e.g. a child’s school opens late); or
   3. They leave work early to get home safely before weather conditions worsen or because of responsibilities to a dependent (e.g. a child’s school closes early); or
   4. They have responsibilities to a dependent for the entire day caused by the adverse weather, in which case that day may be taken as domestic leave and deducted from their sick leave.

Contact for further information

If you have any queries regarding the content of these guidelines or need further clarification, contact:

HR Manager, Promotions and Remuneration
Email rem.admin@otago.ac.nz

Related policies, procedures and forms

• Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Working from Home Policy
• Working from Home Guidelines
• Flexible working arrangements
• Employment agreements and conditions