When authorized by the President, Emergency Leave helps leave-eligible employees avoid losing income or using paid time off (like vacation) during a University closure, including delayed starts and early releases. It doesn’t provide extra income or compensatory time unless you are required to continue working on campus during the closure.
Guidelines for Timesheets
On-Campus Essential Employees: If you work on campus during a closure, record both “Hours Worked” and “Emergency - University Closure” on your timesheet in equal amounts. Essential employees will earn state compensatory time in addition to regular pay.
Remote Essential Employees: Record only “Hours Worked” on your timesheet, whether you work at your usual or an alternate location. If you need to go to campus to secure power or internet, follow the On-Campus Essential Employees guidelines.
Remote Non-Essential Employees: Record “Hours Worked” only for actual hours worked. If you can’t work during the closure, record “Emergency - University Closure” for the hours you couldn’t work due to dependent care needs or power/internet outages. If your work location is outside the Greater Austin area and not affected by the closure, Emergency Leave isn’t available.
Non-Essential and Not Reporting Work: Record “Hours Worked” only for actual hours worked. If you can’t work due to dependent care needs, power/internet outages, or the nature of your work, record “Emergency - University Closure” for the hours you couldn’t work but would have normally worked under non-emergency conditions.
Time Off During Closure
If you had approved paid time off (like vacation or sick leave) during the closure, you can record “Emergency - University Closure” instead of using your paid time off.
Employees on unpaid time off during the closure aren’t eligible for Emergency Leave.
Extenuating Circumstances Outside Closure Period
If you can’t report to campus due to local extenuating circumstances outside the closure period, you can’t use Emergency Leave unless there are special circumstances. Contact Loretta Cowen in the Office of the President at lcowen@austin.utexas.edu to apply.
Non-Leave Eligible Employees
These employees aren’t eligible for Emergency Leave. Record “Unpaid Time Off” for any scheduled hours not worked due to a closure. If possible, make up missed work during the same pay period to minimize unpaid time off.