Staff Newsletter

Staff Senate

Ask A Question: Working During Winter Closure

Got a question of about the University of Wyoming or your employment here? 

Ask away at: staffsen@uwyo.edu.

QUESTION:

Can an employee be required to work during winter closure by their supervisors if they are not previously designated as an “essential employee” by their Appointing Authority [as stipulated on pages 22-23 in the Employee Handbook]?  If not, do employees have the ability to deny the request for working over winter closure?

ANSWER (from Director Delacastro, Human Resources):

Yes.  Supervisors may require employees, either exempt or non-exempt, to work over the winter closure.  If the employee was not previously designated as “essential,” and the supervisor asks the employee to work, it is reasonable for the employee to ask the supervisor why he/she needs to come in.  The supervisor does have the authority to require the employee to work.  The employee is required to follow the legitimate directions of the supervisor.

If a supervisor asks an employee to work over winter closure, that employee will have the benefits associated with an “essential employee.”  In other words, the employee who is asked to work over winter closure will be able to take an equivalent time off, in accordance with the policy.  It is only when an employee chooses to work that the employee is not given subsequent time off.

Hours worked during winter closure are paid at straight time, and overtime policies and compensatory time also apply.