Policy Statement and Reason
For the purpose of this policy, employees include Massachusetts faculty and staff unless otherwise indicated in sections below. All provisions of this policy apply, except that for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, this policy does not create any benefits not expressly provided by that collective bargaining agreement and if there are inconsistencies between this policy and the collective bargaining agreement, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement will govern.
Employees who serve as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians may take time off from work to respond to emergencies that occurred prior to the time employees are scheduled to report to work. This policy complies with Massachusetts law.
Policy Guidelines
Eligibility
Regular full-time, regular part-time and temporary faculty employees and staff employees who serve as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians are immediately eligible for Emergency Responder Leave.
Notification
In advance of emergencies, employees should notify their supervisors if they are volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians and may occasionally need time off from work to respond to emergencies. In the event of emergencies, employees must notify their supervisors, as soon as practicable, of their need to take Emergency Responder Leave.
Documentation
The College may request employees to provide a statement signed by the chief of the fire department or ambulance department certifying the date and time employees respond to and return from emergencies.
Use of Personal or Vacation Time
- Non-Exempt: Non-exempt staff employees must use available personal and/or vacation time for Emergency Responder Leave. Non-exempt staff employees may take Emergency Responder Leave as unpaid if they have no available personal and vacation time.
- Exempt: Exempt staff employees are paid a salary and receive the same amount of pay every pay period, regardless of how many hours they work. They do not receive overtime pay. When not working for more than half a day, exempt staff employees must use available personal time and/or vacation time. Exempt staff employees may take Emergency Responder Leave as unpaid if they have no available personal and vacation time.
- Faculty Employees: For foreseeable absences, Faculty must provide the Chair with advance written notice and must receive prior approval when absent for more than two sessions or when a weekly class is missed more than once in order to coordinate coverage or makeup sessions. In the case of unreported and/or excessive absences, the Chair notifies the Dean.
Other Information
Related Policies
Key Offices to Contact
Please contact Human Resources for further information regarding this policy and its implementation.
Links to Procedures or Forms
Not applicable
Definitions
Not applicable
The contents of this policy are informational only and are not conditions of employment. This policy does not create any contractual obligations or alter the at-will employment of the College’s at-will employees. Emerson College reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change any and all policies and procedures at any time, with or without notice, as consistent with state and federal law.
Policy Effective Date: May 2019