January 4, 2002

With the arrival of the winter season, New Englanders can expect some rough weather, from blustery winds and blizzards to ice and freezing rain. The MGH, however, always remains open, regardless of the weather conditions. As a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year operation, the MGH must provide services to patients during even the worst of storms. The hospital does not have "snow days."

Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources, reminds employees to reserve earned time for those stormy days when it's most judicious to stay at home. "We always encourage employees to use their best judgment during severe weather and want them to consider their personal safety when travel conditions are poor," he says.

If employees decide not to come to work, however, they should notify their supervisors immediately. The severe weather policy stipulates that employees who come to work during storms will be paid for hours worked. Employees who do not come to work will be charged earned time.

Employees will not be charged for tardiness because of severe weather, and if employees are dismissed by a supervisor once they have arrived, they will be paid for the remainder of their shift.

Supervisors have discretion over staffing during a storm, but should have a plan in place to keep their unit open and a contact system for employees to report absences. To close a unit, a supervisor first must obtain approval from the appropriate vice president.

Many hospital areas — including the Emergency Department and the operating rooms, inpatient units and support departments such as Nutrition and Food Services, Environmental Services, Police and Security, Telecommunications and Materials Management — always remain open and may require additional staffing during severe weather. Supervisors are encouraged to check whether such areas need extra help before they send their own employees home.

For procedure updates during bad weather, employees are encouraged to call the MGH Weather Emergency Line at (617) 724-6100. For more information about the MGH's weather policy, employees should contact their supervisors.