NAPE/AFSCME member Mari Waid, a Social Services Worker for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Scottsbluff, prevailed in a grievance and enforced her rights after DHHS failed to implement its weather policy in a reasonable manner.
Mari could not report to work one day due to snow and ice causing unsafe road conditions. She requested to use the six hours of vacation leave that she had accrued and to have the remaining two hours of the workday excused without pay in accordance with the DHHS weather policy.
The DHHS weather policy states that employees may take vacation time, compensatory time, or leave without pay if they decide that it is not safe for them to travel to work due to inclement weather.
Mari was notified that the agency would not approve her use of leave without pay for two hours of her shift. She knew this was a violation of her rights and contacted her representative right away.
“I knew this wasn’t right and also knew it was important to call my representative right away. If you get too many unexcused absences, that can be cause for discipline,” she said. “The roads have been really slick out here lately, and I knew that our union would have my back.”
A grievance was promptly filed on Mari’s behalf because the agency failed to implement its weather policy properly. Mari prevailed and her absence was excused.
“I’m glad it was handled so quickly. My representative was excellent and very knowledgeable,” she said.
If you have any questions about winter weather policies, contact us right away.
