Inclement Weather Guidelines for Essential and Non-Essential Employees 

Rowan University has three states of operation: normal, remote and closed—see Rowan University Closure Guidelines: Are we open or closed? The following are guidelines from Human Resources for essential and non-essential employees during inclement weather.  

Essential Employees

Employees will be informed in advance by their supervisor that they are considered an “essential employee.”

During “Remote Operations” status, all employees designated as essential by the University and/or state must come to work and remain at work. All other employees are expected to work remotely. 

During “University/Campus Closed” status, some employees who are “essential” during remote status may be switched to non-essential status, depending on the needs of the department. The employees at home during “University/Campus Closed operations” status are not expected to work because the area may be expected to suffer power outages and/or other events that will interrupt the ability of employees to work.

Non-Essential Employees

During inclement weather when the University is operating in normal status, non-essential employees may contact their supervisor to request that they work remotely. If the supervisor declines their request, they may elect to utilize the appropriate leave time if they do not feel it is safe to travel to work. 

Appropriate leave is vacation, administrative leave, compensatory time, or floating holidays. Such leave time shall be liberally granted during inclement weather situations. When the University closes for the entire day and non-essential employees are not required to work, such employees will be paid for that day and will not be charged leave time for that day or portion of that day.  Employees will select “Emergency Closing” as the option to be used on timesheets for the time. 

Non-essential employees on leave or who had requested leave (pre-approved vacation, administrative leave, sick, FMLA, furlough, compensatory time, floating holiday, etc.) for all or part of that day, shall not have their leave re-credited or adjusted and will be charged with whatever leave time that was originally requested. 

Non-essential employees who do report to work, or who work beyond the early release time (until their normal ending time), will not receive any additional time off or payment of overtime unless specifically allowed under the employee’s negotiations unit agreement. 

In the event of a declared late opening, non-essential employees who have a start time prior to the late opening time will be allowed to arrive at work at the announced time. 

If they do not feel it is safe to travel to work, they may contact their supervisor to request that they work remotely. If the supervisor declines their request, they will be charged a full day of appropriate leave time. 

Non-essential employees who have a normal start time after the late opening time will not be afforded additional time to report to work and should report at their normal start time. In the event of an early closing and release of non-essential employees, non-essential employees who did not report to work that day and who did not have the approval of their supervisor to work remotely will be charged a full day of appropriate leave time.

• Flexible Work Policy
• Flexible Work Arrangement Agreement
• Flexible Work FAQs

Policy Reminder: Cannabis sales legal, but use still against Rowan policies. 

Although NJ law was changed on April 21, 2022 to permit adults in New Jersey to purchase cannabis for recreational use, Universities and healthcare organizations are covered by the federal Drug Free Workplace Act which does not recognize the legalization of marijuana possession or use in the workplace.  Therefore, cannabis possession is still prohibited under federal law and, as a result, is NOT permitted on Rowan University properties. 

NJ State legislation decriminalizes cannabis use and possession for persons age 21 and over. However, individuals over 21 are still subject to potential criminal fines and penalties for possession at levels above the personal use limitations.  Employees found with cannabis on University property will be subject to discipline in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and applicable policies. 

Rowan University is committed to enabling members of the campus community including students, faculty, and staff to use and be known by a preferred name that affirms, reflects, and/or expresses their gender, culture, and/or other aspects of their social identity in the classroom and to conduct general business at the University. Rowan University will make good faith efforts to display preferred names to the University community where feasible and appropriate, and to update the reports, documents and systems designated to use preferred names. The full Preferred Name policy linked below details the use and appearance of preferred name. 

To request a preferred name, please submit a Preferred Name Change Request using the link below.

• Preferred Name Policy
• Preferred Name Request Form

Note: Employees requiring a legal name change should contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@rowan.edu. More information can be found here.

• What to Do If You Are Sick | CDC 

• The Wellness Center - COVID-19 Information

For Employees with a Covid Positive Test

1. Consult with your doctor if you are considered high risk as treatment options may be available for you.
2. Notify your supervisor. You may be able to work remotely during this period.
3. Stay home until at least 24 hours after both your symptoms are getting better and you have not had a fever.

If you need help deciding next steps, consult with your primary care provider. This CDC tool can also provide guidance.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy - Updated September 2023

In its efforts to provide the reasonably safest work and education environments, Rowan University (including the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and The Cooper Medical School of Rowan University) strives to align workplace policies with the health and environmental recommendations and requirements of the State of New Jersey. Consistent with NJ Executive Order 332, as of July 1, 2023, Rowan will be suspending its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all employees. The previously observed mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for managerial employees and AFT employees (which was in effect as of September 15, 2021) and the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all other employees (which was in effect as of October 18, 2021) are now suspended unless and until the University determines that safety, environmental conditions and/or government mandates require reinstatement. Should there be any changes to the suspension of these policies, the University will make any appropriate announcements.

Should the COVID-19 vaccination requirement be reinstated, affected employees will be notified by the University of the relevant immunization requirements and standards at that time. Any and all relevant exemption forms, documents and informational resources with respect to any exemptions to the requirement will likewise be made available by the University at the appropriate time.

We hope that our joint efforts will continue to make Rowan a safe and rewarding working and educational environment. We look forward to working with you to make this happen.

Welcome to The Work Number, your new Employment and Income Verification Service

The Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce we are using a third party employment verification service The Work Number.  In the event that you would need to verify employment, The Work Number will help expedite the process of employment verification as it is available to verify 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

This automated process is intended for:

1. Commercial and business applications, such as mortgage applications, property leases, credit card applications, and pre-employment screening.
2. Social Service qualified assistance agencies, such as Medicaid, SSI / SSDI, SNAP, TANF, Child Support, and Public Housing.

For Rowan University Employees:

First time users will need to create an account on theworknumber.com. Scroll down to the middle of the page and select Learn How to Access under "I'm an Employee Looking for my Data". Follow the prompt to sign up for access and create an account.

Once this process is complete, employees can log in and set up their own personal PIN for future access.

For Rowan University Verifiers:

For first time users, create an account on theworknumber.com.  Scroll down to the middle of the page and select Sign Up to Verify under "I'm a Verifier Representing a Business". Follow the prompt to sign up for access and create an account.

1. Once their account is approved, they will need to search the employment records for the specific staff member by using their SSN.
2. If there are any questions or concerns: please utilize reach out to The Work Number Support at SolutionsSupport@theworknumber.com.

• Classified Employees (CWA, IFPTE, PBA, NJLESA, and NJSOLEA)
• Unclassified Employees (AFT)
• Managerial Employees

EAS offers confidential assessment, counseling, and referral services to employees. Are you or your dependent(s) experiencing anxiety, depression, or a mental health emergency? EAS can help!

For Emergency Mental Health Services, call 1-866-327-9133 and press 1 to speak to a Mental Health Specialist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Health is at your fingertips. Email eas_help@csc.nj.gov to schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor.

Employee Advisory Service:
Office #: 1-866-327-9133
Website: https://www.nj.gov/csc/employees/programs/advisory/eas.html

NJ EAS Newsletters

NJ EAS Brochure 

Offices will be closed on holidays when classes are not in session. The necessary maintenance and security will be provided on those holidays. Offices will be open on holidays when classes are in session.

Subject to change pending contract negotiations.

2026 Printable Holiday Calendar

Termination Checklist

EEO Policy Statement

File Request Form

Guidelines for Appropriate Internet Usage

Volunteer Registration Form

Religious Accommodation Request Form