H17 – Absence Due to Inclement Weather Conditions

Approver: President and CEO
Owner: Chief Human Resource Officer
Effective: November 18, 2025
Replaces: November 8, 2011

1. Purpose

1.1

This Policy provides guidance to employees regarding reporting to work during Inclement Weather conditions and ensures the safety and well-being of employees while maintaining the operational needs of the Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech).

2. Definitions

2.1

Inclement Weather: means the existence of severe or unfavourable weather conditions (i.e. blizzard, hail, snow, high winds or any combination thereof) by virtue of which it is not reasonable or safe to travel to or from work.

3. Application

3.1

This Policy applies to all RRC Polytech employees during Inclement Weather conditions.

4. Policy

4.1

The safety of RRC Polytech’s students, employees, and visitors is of significant priority. Employees are expected to exercise reasonable judgment and avoid serious risks when travelling to and from work during Inclement Weather.

4.2

During Inclement Weather, RRC Polytech will remain open unless a closure is announced through the Campus Alerting System. Employees shall, therefore, make every reasonable effort to report to work as scheduled. Employees are expected to take steps in advance, including allowing extra time for potential traffic delays during Inclement Weather.

4.3

Employees who are unable to report to work or arrive at their designated work location at the scheduled start time due to Inclement Weather must inform their supervisor as early as possible, either before their scheduled start time or as soon as practicable.

4.4

During Inclement Weather conditions, employees who are able to work remotely may be permitted to work remotely at the discretion of their supervisor.

4.5

Employees who are unable to work remotely or report to work in person due to Inclement Weather may be required to make up the missed time by utilizing available vacation leave, banked overtime, or, with their supervisor’s approval, the time missed may be made up by working additional hours on a straight time basis. Where these options are not feasible, such time off may be recorded as leave without pay.

4.6

Employees who are absent from work due to Inclement Weather and fail to notify their supervisor may be considered absent without leave and may be subject to disciplinary action.

4.7

Except where RRC Polytech announces a closure, all in-person classes will continue as scheduled and can only be cancelled or shifted online with the supervisor’s approval.

4.8

For situations where Inclement Weather conditions arise while employees are on campus, employees are expected to remain at their work locations unless otherwise instructed and authorized by their supervisor.

4.9

Employees shall be responsible for their travel to and from work during Inclement Weather. RRC Polytech shall not be responsible for any costs an Employee incurs during Inclement Weather.

5. Closure Due to Inclement Weather

5.1

When RRC Polytech announces closure due to Inclement Weather conditions, employees are not required to report to work in person. However, employees are expected to work remotely, and instructors are expected to provide classes online. If remote work or online instruction is not feasible, employees must consult with their supervisor before cancelling classes or choosing not to work.

6. Responsibilities

6.1

The Chief Human Resource Officer is responsible for developing Procedures under this Policy.

6.2

Employees are responsible for assessing when weather conditions make commuting unsafe and notifying their supervisor if they cannot report to work.

7. Review Period

7.1

This Policy will be reviewed and updated as required within five (5) years of its approval.

8. Related Documents

• Emergency Response Plan (Safety, Health and Emergency Services)