Adverse Weather Policy
Campuses will not close.
IU campuses operate around the clock and will not close during adverse weather; however, the campus provost or chancellor may declare the campus to be in a “state of limited operations.” This means that the campus has moved to remote operations and only essential staff should report to campus.
Classes are in session unless campus leadership announces that they have been canceled. The cancelation of classes does not necessarily mean that the campus has been moved to limited operations.
Essential staff are required to report to campus for work.
- Your supervisor will inform you in advance if you are an essential employee.
- You should have your supervisor’s contact information in case you are questioned by law enforcement when traveling to or from the workplace during a travel advisory.
Non-essential staff should not report to campus.
- Employees who have work that can be completed remotely—and have the technology to do so—are expected to work, even if they do not have a remote work arrangement.
- Talk with your supervisor to see if you will be expected to work remotely in the event of adverse weather.
Resources
How to Stay Up to Date with Adverse Weather Announcements
If adverse weather is forecast, follow local news sources or visit the university’s Emergency Management and Continuity website for campus-specific information. You can also sign up to receive alerts via IU Notify.
Compensation During States of Limited Operations
For essential employees required to work on campus during limited operations:
- Non-exempt (excluding PAO & PAU) staff receive regular pay plus time-and-one-half pay or time off (at the unit’s discretion).
- Part-time employees receive regular pay plus time-and-one-half pay.
- Exempt and non-exempt PAO & PAU staff receive regular pay but do not receive additional compensation or time off.
For non-essential employees during limited operations:
- Non-exempt staff who can work remotely receive regular pay but receive adverse weather pay (WTH pay code) for any non-work time during the workday for tasks such as childcare, snow removal, and uncontrollable events like power outages. Exempt employees who work a partial or full day remotely do not need to enter additional pay codes in ePTO and will be paid for the full day.
- Any staff unable to work remotely will receive adverse weather pay (WTH).
- Non-essential staff who report to campus anyway will be compensated at their regular pay rate.
- Part-time employees who cannot work remotely will not receive pay. With supervisor approval, the employee may make up the work and hours during the same workweek.
- Staff who are off work for vacation/PTO, sick time, or a leave of absence at the time of an adverse weather event do not receive weather pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions related to this policy not addressed in the FAQ below, please speak with your supervisor or contact .
States of Limited Operations
Do IU campuses close for adverse weather?
Even when classes and activities are canceled, some campuses cannot close completely because of the services needed to maintain residence halls, medical facilities, research labs, and other critical functions.
What does it mean to be in limited operations?
This signals that the campus has moved to remote operations. Essential employees are still required to report to campus for work. Non-essential employees who have work that can be completed remotely, and have the technology to do so, are expected to work, even if you do not have a remote work arrangement. Talk with your supervisor to know if you will be expected to work remotely in the event of adverse weather.
If classes are cancelled, is the campus in limited operations?
Not necessarily. Classes may be cancelled but the campus may remain open. Visit the university’s Emergency Management and Continuity website for campus-specific information. You can also sign up to receive alerts via IU-Notify.
Who determines if a campus will move to limited operations?
The campus chancellor or provost will declare that the campus has moved to limited operations. They make that decision in consultation with the university President, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities, Associate Vice President for Public Safety, and Institutional Assurance, and the Superintendent for Public Safety.
In university locations where there is not a chancellor or provost, such as at IU Ft. Wayne, IUPUC, and the regional medical school campuses, the determination to declare a state of limited operations is made by the leader at that location with input from their associated Vice President and the relevant offices noted above.
How do I know if the campus has moved to limited operations?
If the weather forecast looks bad, follow local news sources, or visit the university’s Emergency Management and Continuity website for campus-specific information. You can also sign up to receive alerts via IU-Notify.
Essential Employees
What is an essential employee during an adverse weather event?
Essential employees are individuals who are required to work on campus, even if the campus is in limited operations. Your supervisor will notify you in advance if you are designated as an essential employee. If you are unsure, please reach out to your supervisor.
How will I know if I am an essential employee?
Your supervisor will notify you in advance if you are designated as an essential employee. If you are unsure, please reach out to your supervisor.
Who decides who is an essential employee?
Unit supervisors in consultation with leadership determine who is an essential employee during adverse weather.
What if I cannot make it into campus?
Use your best judgment when weather may make travel hazardous. You should not ignore travel advisory notifications from local officials. If you cannot make it to campus, please notify your supervisor. Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible in these situations, and all advance notice requirements for time off will be waived.
Non-Essential Employees and Remote Work
I am a non-essential employee. How do I know if I am expected to work remotely when the campus is in limited operations?
Non-essential employees who have work that can be completed remotely, and have the technology to do so, are expected to work, even if you do not have a remote work arrangement. Talk with your supervisor to know if you will be expected to work remotely in the event of adverse weather.
What if I cannot work remotely during limited operations?
Non-essential employees who do not have the ability or technology to work remotely, or whose jobs are not conducive to remote work, will receive adverse weather pay for the hours that the campus is in limited operations. Non-exempt employees may use adverse weather pay (WTH pay code) on an hour-by-hour basis and exempt employees may use it in full-day increments.
What if I lose power or am otherwise unable to work (i.e. internet service is out)?
If the reason you are unable to complete your work tasks is out of your control, you will receive adverse weather pay for the time that you are unable to work while the campus is in limited operations. Non-exempt employees may use adverse weather pay (WTH pay code) on an hour-by-hour basis and exempt employees may use it in full-day increments.
What if I am non-essential staff and I report to campus during limited operations?
Non-essential staff are encouraged not to come to campus, but those who do will be compensated at their regular pay rate.
Compensation
How does being in limited operations affect my pay as an essential employee?
Pay for essential employees during limited operations will be as follows:
- Non-exempt (excluding PAO & PAU) staff receive regular pay plus time-and-one-half pay or time off.
- Part-time employees receive regular pay plus time-and-one-half pay.
- Exempt and non-exempt PAO & PAU staff receive regular pay but do not receive additional compensation or time off.
How do non-essential exempt employees record time?
Non-essential exempt employees who are able are expected to work remotely during periods the campus is in limited operations. If an exempt employee is unable to work at all, they may use a full day of adverse weather pay (WTH pay code). An exempt employee who is able to work a partial or full day does not need to enter any additional codes in their ePTO calendar and will be paid for the full day.
Who isn’t eligible for adverse weather pay?
Non-essential part-time employees who cannot work remotely will not receive pay. The employee may make up the work and hours during the same workweek if their supervisor approves.
Staff who are off work for vacation/PTO, sick time, or a leave absence at the time of adverse weather event do not receive weather pay.
