Message Sent on Behalf of the Office of Human Resources

January 14, 2022

Dear SUNY Poly Faculty and Staff:

Due to anticipated inclement weather in the region, SUNY Poly administration is implementing liberal leave for SUNY Poly employees at the Utica and Albany campuses Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, which means employees, with supervisory approval, who are performing non-immediate, non-essential functions who were not already using holiday time, may leave early and/or take time off whereby employees will use their holiday paid time off accruals earned on Monday. If possible, non-essential employees who were working on the holiday are encouraged to work remotely with supervisory approval but may also elect to request time off.

Please note that with the start of semester taking place this week, those who have been planning to be on campus to take part in established related work efforts should discuss any questions about liberal leave with their supervisor.

What is liberal leave?
Liberal leave encourages employees to mitigate their own risk when traveling to and from work and is implemented at the discretion of administration for exceptional circumstances such as inclement weather or emergencies and only in cases where it is feasible for employees to take liberal leave based on duties (essential versus non-essential duties). Some employee functions are deemed essential (i.e. security, certain facilities and operational units, maintenance, etc.); therefore, staffing in some areas will be maintained as determined by management. For more information, please see the Essential Employee Policy located at: https://sunypoly.edu/contact/offices/human-resources/human-resources/policies-procedures.html. If you are not sure if your position is essential, please contact your supervisor for clarification.

If an employee does not have vacation, holiday, or personal paid time off accruals, the administration will consult with SUNY Poly Human Resources and make a determination on a case-by-case basis.

Please share this message with your direct reports.

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