The Governor, or Governor's designee, has the sole authority to excuse employees of the Executive Branch from reporting to work during extreme weather conditions or other natural or man-made disasters or emergencies. In appropriate circumstances, the Governor shall issue an Order stating that, because of expected or existing conditions, certain employees (as designated in this policy) are excused from reporting to work. Unless such an Order has been issued, all employees of the Executive Branch shall report to and remain at work for their regularly scheduled hours or shift.

The Order may apply to all Executive Branch employees or be confined to a specific geographical region or a combination of geographical regions. The Order may be limited regarding the purpose for which it is issued, such as permitting the use of the Delaware National Guard personnel and equipment, and so may not affect Executive Branch employees in any respect.

"Essential Employee": An employee who is indispensable to the emergency service function of his or her employing agency or department and is required to assist the department or agency in meeting its operational needs.

"Essential" employees are designated by each cabinet/agency head. Essential employees must report to work as scheduled, even during a declared SWCE.

Many "Essential" employees provide direct care at one of the State's facilities that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some employees are "Report when Contacted." They may not normally be considered "Essential" but may be required to work at specific times.

For example, if a declared SWCE falls on a day when payroll must be processed, it's likely that payroll specialists, data entry clerks, and human resource professionals could be designated essential for that particular emergency. Employees should speak to their supervisors to find out their particular designation.

All "Essential" and SHOC/DFS employees shall be notified accordingly in writing, and a list of such employees and/or classifications shall be posted in a conspicuous location and distributed to the appropriate Exclusive Bargaining Representatives.

No, so it is important to check the radio, television or internet for proper information.
Go to – http://www.delawarepersonnel.com/closings/advisory.asp

Or tune into one of the radio/television stations listed.

If the Governor declares a closing due to SWCE which affects State employees and in any way alters their work schedules, the Governor's Press Secretary immediately notifies all local radio and television stations. Media have constant access to a recorded message, updated hourly, which details any State closures, as well as any applicable emergency planning activities. Additionally, media outlets receive faxed copies of announcements from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

Again, employees are encouraged to listen closely and carefully to their local radio and/or television stations for pertinent information about cancellations or late openings among State agencies. You can also check the internet at http://www.delawarepersonnel.com/closings/advisory.asp

All Report When Contacted or Non-Essential employees on an alternate or compressed schedule shall have their time adjusted in accordance with that schedule and other applicable rules and regulations whenever there is a SWCE.

If an employee is scheduled to work less than the 7.5 or 8 hours that day, then they do not get credited anything extra if the State closes. If they are scheduled to work more than 7.5 or 8 hours and don't have to report to work, then they get the benefit of being off all day. The only time adjustments necessary around flexed or compressed schedules is when the employee was already on approved leave for the day.

An example would be an employee on an alternate work schedule reports at 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. rather than 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, but the Governor issues an Order for the State to be closed that day during normal working hours. The employee who reports at 7 a.m. is not expected to come to work at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 a.m. On that day, the employee gets the benefit of the entire day off without being charged leave. However, if the employee is already out on approved leave, they are charged leave for the first hour, but not for the rest of the day.

The answer will be given in examples as follows:

EXAMPLE 1-

Governor excuses non-essential employees from work who live or work in Kent County due to inclement weather but does not close the roads to the general public. A non-essential employee living in New Castle County who works for the State of Delaware in Sussex County would be expected to report or use annual leave.

EXAMPLE 2-

Governor excuses non-essential employees from work who live or work in Kent County due to inclement weather and closes the roads to the general public. The non-essential employee living in New Castle County who works for the State of Delaware in Sussex County should be excused from work with pay.

Please note if in the course of driving to work an employee is specifically prevented by the police or other emergency personnel from traveling to his/her work site due to a natural or man-made emergency, the employee shall immediately notify his/her supervisor of the obstruction and shall be excused from reporting and not charged for the absence.

Employees who are required to work but who do not report to work for any other reason shall immediately notify their supervisors and shall not be paid for the absence. Employees in this category may request approval to use annual leave, accumulated compensatory time, if any, or have their pay docked; however, employees cannot assume that it will be granted and may be subject to disciplinary action if approval is not received for the absence.

Additionally if a natural or man-made emergency forces any employee to be late for work, the employee shall contact his/her supervisor, inform the supervisor of the impending lateness, and state the expected time of arrival for work. Reasonable delay (not to exceed two hours) in arriving at work due to poor travel conditions will not be a basis for charging annual leave.