WILMINGTON — The City of Wilmington in considering changing a decade-old policy that requires many city employees to use vacation days if they miss work due to an emergency, even if they have evacuated for their own safety.
The change comes in the wake of Hurricane Florence, which shut down city offices from Sept. 13-24, with the exception of law enforcement and emergency response staff. Many other employees were sent home, not only during the storm but during the week that followed.
The administrative policy – number 221 – dates back to at least 2003, but has been more recently updated. According to city records, the policy covers “operations during inclement weather or other emergencies.”
The policy specifies under emergency circumstances, certain “essential personnel” will continue to work, but many “will be sent home or told not to report to work.” With the exception of certain “exempt” employees – not specified in the policy – those employees “will be required to use their vacation or banked holiday accruals or to take time without pay to cover the period of their absence.”
The policy also applies to those who evacuate under emergency circumstances.
“Should any employee, non-exempt or exempt, determine that, for their personal safety, it is not feasible for them to report to work during a period of inclement weather or other similar emergencies, they will be required to charge their absence to vacation or banked holiday time,” the policy states
But due to the significant impact of Hurricane Florence, that may change – at least temporarily.
According to an internal from email City Engineer David Cowell, the city’s internal weather phone line has been playing “a message about a decision to make employees ‘whole’ during the storm.”
City spokesperson Malissa Talbert said she could not provide details yet, but confirmed the city was “considering” a change and that she expected a final decision in the coming weeks.
No word if the change would address future emergencies or only Hurricane Florence, specifically. However, the change will have to come from City Manager Sterling Cheatham, and may require City Council approval.
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