Procedures for Non-Union Staff

Bennington College is a residential campus and as such, must provide services and meals for students and continue essential operations at all times. Therefore, the College is never officially closed. Staff should make every effort to come to work during inclement weather, but should not jeopardize their safety in doing so.  

We recognize that certain employees may be delayed in their arrival or unable to travel to work during inclement weather. An employee must notify his/her supervisor if he/she expects to be delayed or unable to travel to work. For non-exempt hourly staff, the loss of time due to the weather or emergent conditions, may be taken as vacation time or made up as mutually agreed to by the employee and his/her supervisor. For exempt, salaried staff, the loss of a full day due to the weather, or other emergent condition, will be taken as vacation time. If an employee wishes to leave work early due to inclement weather, he/she is required to notify his/her direct supervisor prior to leaving.

At times, the College may find it necessary to alter campus operations due to inclement weather. In accordance with the College’s Emergency Response Policy, the College will activate the Emergency Notification System, Send Word Now, to announce a change in operations. Notifications will be sent to employees via campus telephone and email, and any other communication devices that you have registered with Send Word Now (i.e., home phone, personal cell phone, personal email address). Notifications will also be placed on the internal employee communications hotline (802) 440-4747 and local television/radio stations.

Select ‘essential staff’ may be required to work during inclement weather or emergent situations. Staff working in Campus Safety are considered ‘essential staff’ at all times. Staff working in Dining Services, Buildings and Grounds, and Student Life may, at times, be considered ‘essential staff;’ individuals working in these offices should consult their supervisor about their ‘essential staff’ status.

If the College alters operations, employees who are required to report to work will be paid for the day; essential non-exempt staff will receive compensatory time off, if applicable, or may be entitled to overtime pay, depending on the circumstances.

Procedures for Union Staff

Bennington College is a residential campus and as such, must provide services and meals for students and continue essential operations at all times. Therefore, the College is never officially closed. Staff should make every effort to come to work during inclement weather, but should not jeopardize their safety in doing so.  

We recognize that certain employees may be delayed in their arrival or unable to travel to work during inclement weather. In the event that an employee is unable to get to work due to inclement weather conditions, he/she is required to notify his/her direct supervisor and the day will be charged to either accrued vacation or leave time; if sufficient time is not available to cover the absence, the day will be unpaid. If the employee is unable to reach his/her direct supervisor, the employee must notify his/her department at the following telephone number:

• Dining Services | 802-440-4436 (x4436 from on campus) or contact Campus Safety if supervisor is unavailable

• Buildings and Grounds | 802-440-4584 (x4584 from on campus) or contact Campus Safety if supervisor is unavailable

If an employee wishes to leave work early due to inclement weather conditions, he/she is required to notify his/her direct supervisor prior to leaving and any remaining time on the shift will be charged to accrued vacation or leave time. If no such time is available, the remaining hours on shift will be unpaid.

At times, the College may find it necessary to alter campus operations due to inclement weather. In accordance with the College’s Emergency Response Policy, the College will activate the Emergency Notification System, Send Word Now, to announce a change in operations. Notifications will be sent to employees via campus telephone and email, and any other communication devices registered with the system (i.e., home phone, personal cell phone, personal email address). Notifications will also be placed on the internal employee communications hotline (802) 440-4747 and local television/radio stations.

Select ‘essential staff’ may be required to work during inclement weather or emergent situations. Staff working in Campus Safety are considered essential at all times. Staff working in Dining Services and Buildings and Grounds  may, at times, be considered ‘essential staff;’ individuals working in these offices should consult their supervisor about their ‘essential staff’ status.

If the College alters operations, employees who are required to report to work will be paid for the day; essential non-exempt staff will receive compensatory time off, if applicable, or may be entitled to overtime pay, depending on the circumstances.

In any situation where telephone systems are inoperable and an employee is unable to make initial contact with the College, the employee is expected to continue to attempt such contact until successful. Please refer to the bargaining agreement for further clarification of the required call-in procedures.