Office Closures

An Office Closures policy explains when your organization may close due to weather, emergencies, or other disruptions, how employees will be notified, expectations for remote work and safety-related absences, and how pay and leave are handled during the closure based on exempt and non-exempt rules and any applicable state or local requirements.

How to Write an Office Closures Policy

• Start with why: employee safety is very important.
• Explain what kinds of events may lead your organization to close a worksite and that employees will be notified of official closures.
• State expectations for working remotely during a closure and encourage employees to keep needed work items available for potential remote work.
• Encourage employees to use good judgment about travel safety and to communicate availability when conditions are unsafe.
• Describe how pay works for exempt employees during a closure.
• Describe how pay works for non-exempt employees during a closure.
• Explain PTO and unpaid time options when non-exempt employees cannot work during a closure.
• Address how closures affect part-time employees and how they should coordinate schedule and pay options.

For advice on writing an Office Closures policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.