Plan B Process for University Emergencies - What You Need to Know
Though Plan B scheduling changes occur relatively infrequently, typically in the wake of severe weather, it is important that employees and departments be aware of reponsibilities and processes related to unexpected delays or closures.
You should know that the most up-to-date and accurate notices of any weather-related delay, closure or cancellation can be obtained from the UK Infoline at (859) 257-5684 or the UK Web site at www.uky.edu, though this information will also be available through local media outlets (TV and radio broadcasts, news sites).
Plan B: Essential and Non-essential Employees
Employees' responsibilities during Plan B events depend upon their status as either non-essential or essential employees.
Non-essential employees should simply follow Plan B instructions distributed through the local media.
Essential employees, on the other hand, must report to work on a normal schedule even in the event of an announced delay, closure or cancellation. To avoid confusion in such an event, it is important that essential employees clearly understand this expectation. Visit our Plan B FAQ page for a more detailed explanation of essential/non-essential employees.
Essential-status employees include but are not necessarily limited to:
• all UK Hospital employees*
• all Physical Plant Division (Medical Center and campus) employees
• Food service employees working in UK Hospital and student facilities
• Information Technology employees such as telephone operators, Data Center operations staff, and designated network specialists.
Departments Should Communicate Plan B Expectations to Essential Employees
It is the responsibility of the unit administrator to designate and inform Plan B essential employees of their responsibilities in the event of a University emergency. We encourage you to remind any essential members of your team of their status (also notify new employees as well). Please keep in mind that essential employees reporting to work in non-Hospital areas during Plan B closures or cancellations will receive their regular rate of pay and receive an equivalent amount of time off with pay (to be taken within six weeks).
Related Policy
For more details on University Emergency (Plan B) policy (HR Policy & Procedure 71.0), click here. If you have questions, please contact Employee Relations at (859) 257-8758.
* Since all UK Hospital employees are considered essential, Plan B-related scheduling and compensation policies are truly relevant only to non-hospital employees. Per policy 71.0, "Any emergency shall have no effect on the University Hospital schedule."
*** Please see also the official University statement regarding Plan B processes by clicking here. ***
