Inclement weather leave guidance for civilians
References:
DoDI1035.01_DAFI 36-143, Telework Program
DODI1400.25V630_AFI36-815, Leave (non-bargaining unit)
Collective Bargaining Agreements for Hanscom AFB/
AFI36-815, 8 July 2015 (bargaining unit)
In any of the below situations, supervisors are encouraged to allow liberal leave (i.e., annual leave) for those employees who wish to take additional measures if they feel it’s necessary due to local weather conditions. Officials and supervisors will work directly with employees to review unique circumstances on a case-by-case basis. For additional details see below.
Bargaining unit employees and their supervisors should refer to their respective local bargaining agreement for applicable guidance on excused absences. For questions regarding contract provisions, contact the Labor Relations Officer at 781-225-1401/1708.
Mission Essential Personnel
Mission essential personnel (military or civilian) required to report for duty will report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or has delayed opening or reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release. Designations of mission essential military personnel and those civilians required to report for duty are determined individually by supervisors. The duties the individual performs assist the supervisor in making the determination of mission essential (required to report for duty) and can be situational depending upon the duty to be performed (i.e., snow removal personnel). Individuals are notified by their supervisor if the duties they perform require them to be mission essential.
Delayed Reporting
The objective of delayed reporting is to ensure that all personnel are allotted extra time to get to work safely. Therefore, employees who can safely report to duty at their normal time, or shortly thereafter, are expected to do so.
Depending on hazardous weather conditions, tardiness not more than two hours may be excused. Tardiness more than two hours may also be excused because of unavoidable delay resulting from adverse weather or from disruption of public or private transportation in individual cases that are reviewed by appropriate supervisors.
In the case of employees who do not report for duty when there is delayed reporting, a request for leave for the full duty day will be necessary, unless the supervisor concerned determines that the employee made every reasonable effort to get to work but was unable to do so because of the weather conditions. Determining factors for consideration in the decision include distance between the employee's residence and place of work, as well as mode of transportation.
Employees required to report for duty should report for duty at their regular time.
Delayed Opening
Employees scheduled to work at regular reporting hours are excused from duty without loss of pay or charge to leave until the announced opening time. One reason for a delayed opening is to facilitate the removal of snow from parking areas; therefore, personnel should not report to duty until the announced time.
Mission essential personnel required to report for duty on a day with a delayed opening should begin their duty day at the regular time.
Early Dismissal
Only employees who are in a duty status, i.e., not on leave, or who are expected to return from leave to duty status at the time the early dismissal takes effect, are excused without charge to leave. Employees who are absent on leave that day continue to be charged the appropriate leave.
Base Closure
When the installation commander determines that all or part of an activity must be closed, employees not required to report for duty will be released from duty, including those employees at off-base facilities. This does not apply to employees who are TDY to other locations outside the affected area but does apply to Air Force employees in the region such as those located at the MITRE facility and downtown Boston.
Employees in a non-pay or Leave Without Pay status on the days immediately before and after the day(s) the activity was closed will remain in a non-pay or LWOP status. It also does not apply to employees on military duty or suspension on the day of the closure.
When a decision is made to release employees due to hazardous weather, the commander's office or Crisis Action Team will notify base populace and/or serviced organizations.
Administrative Leave
Administrative leave must be reported in ATAAPS. Employees and supervisors will ensure timecards are coded appropriately using “LN” for type of leave, and “PS” – “Weather and Safety Leave” for purpose of leave. Contact your timekeeper or civilian pay with any questions.
Direct any questions concerning inclement weather guidance to the Civilian Personnel Office.
Click here to return to the Inclement Weather Information page.
(Current as of February 2025)