I am non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Can I be considered an essential staff member during reduced services or office closure?
Yes. The designation of essential or non-essential during periods of reduced services or office closure is based on those functions required to provide basic minimum services. • If I take leave because I notice that weather conditions are deteriorating, does my leave choice (annual, comp time or leave without pay) convert to administrative leave once the office is placed on reduced services or temporarily closed? No. Administrative leave does not apply to employees who are absent on any previously approved leave. A non-essential employee who calls-in beforehand, or who leaves early and gets approval of leave, will use the approved leave throughout the day. Likewise, essential employees who report to duty will accrue administrative leave only from the time when services were reduced until the time of office closure or the end of the essential employee’s shift, whichever is earlier.
