Liberal Leave, Delayed Openings or Closure Policy

Please review the following procedures. These are the same procedures that were distributed last winter.

• the Health Department will follow the decision made by the county or the state, i.e. if either the state or the county declar es a complete closure, an early closure or a late opening we will follow their lead. That means if the county has a closure, but the state does not, we will still be closed. If the state is closed, but the county is not, we will still be closed.
• we will always have liberal leave. No supervisor will ever make the decision for you to come in or to not come in. You are responsible for using your own best judgment as to the conditions where you live or where you need to travel. Any liberal leave requires that you call and notify your supervisor that you are taking leave. Special payment employees and consultants do not get paid for the hours they do not work. Remember you are not allowed to leave a voicemail. You must talk to an individual.
• unless the Health Department is doing something different than the county or state (e.g. there is a water main brea k at a site, requiring closure) we will not start a phone tree. It is your responsibility to watch the TV or listen to the radio for Dorchester County employee or State of Maryland employee information.
• state closures can be accessed at www.dbm.maryland.gov (look under “also of interest” then click “weather announcement”). Closures or del ays different from the state or county can be accessed at www.mtslive.com. The phone tree will also be started.
• if a supervisor wants to cancel a clinic, the supervisor must clear it with an executive staff member, and then after receiving permission, will need to notify the radio/TV. It is strongly recommended that if we are expecting bad weather, that the names and phone numbers of clients be taken home so that individuals with early appointments can be notified directly.
• if we have any type of closure, anyone who works, must have the permission of their supervisor to work. If a supervisor gives permission, the individual will earn straight time. There are some situations when this will not be the case. Individuals authorized to work will be notified of any change to earning straight time.

If you have questions, please see your supervisor.

A weather related information telephone line is available for DHMH employees to obtain weather related announcements. The number is: 1-877-285-6407. Weather announcements may be viewed on the Department of Budget and Management’s website, www.dbm.state.md.us, or on the DHMH Office of Human Resource website: http://dhmh.state.md.us/psa/neo/index.htm.

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