Based on current weather predictions calling for accumulating snow to impact our region, Newport News Shipbuilding remains open and will continue normal operations through first shift today – Friday, Jan. 21. NNS will institute liberal leave beginning with second shift on Friday, Jan. 21, through first shift on Saturday, Jan. 22.

We anticipate returning to normal operations beginning with second shift on Saturday, Jan. 22. Employees scheduled to work should call the Employee Information Phone Line to confirm operational status.

NNS will continue to monitor the forecast and if additional updates are needed, information regarding shipyard operations will be communicated via the Employee Information Phone Line (1-877-871-2058), NNS email and company websites, the NNS to Go app, and social media channels (HII pages and NNS President Jennifer Boykin’s Facebook page).

NNS employees working at offsite locations such as Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Naval Station Norfolk should follow offsite location reporting direction.

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What is Liberal Leave?

As a reminder, liberal leave means that employees do not have to report to work if it is not safe to do so. Hourly employees who do not report can use vacation or dock time. Docked time for hourly employees will not be held against their attendance record. Salaried employees can use flextime or paid time off (PTO).

See the following FAQs regarding liberal leave:

• Q. Can a salaried employee take dock time if they don’t have PTO and don’t want to borrow PTO?

No. As indicated in the instructions above, and in accordance with the Company’s Emergency Pay/Liberal Leave Procedure, NN 01-200 salaried employees (non-exempt or exempt) who do not work must use Paid Time Off (PTO) if they have a balance available, borrow PTO, or flex with supervision’s approval. In the event a salaried employee has already borrowed the maximum 40 hours allowed, they should contact their HRBP for further instructions.

 

• Q. Can a salaried employee borrow PTO if they don’t have any/enough hours in their banks?

Yes, to a maximum of 40 hours. In the event a salaried employee has already borrowed the maximum 40 hours allowed, they should contact their HRBP for further instructions.

 

• Q. Can an hourly employee take dock time? If so, how is that to be recorded in the system?

Yes, unless they have been designated as essential personnel by their supervisor. Supervisors should remember to enter Company Pass Out (0325) into MyTime for those hourly employees who chose to be docked and who are not essential personnel.

 

• Q. Can an hourly employee use Annual Leave (AL) if they choose?

Yes, as long as they have a sufficient balance to do so and have not been designated as essential personnel.

 

• Q. Can an hourly employee use Personal Time (PT) if they choose?

Yes, as long as they have a sufficient balance to do so and have not been designated as essential personnel.

 

• Q. What would happen if an hourly employee reports to work later in the shift and the supervisor is not present?

The company will make every reasonable effort to assign work to any employee who reports. However, depending on the nature of the work, conditions of the work area, availability of alternative work, employees may be passed out. If an employee does not report at the start of the normal shift time and are subsequently passed out, they are not eligible for reporting pay in accordance with the labor agreement.

 

• Q. Can salaried employees work from home?

Yes, with advance approval from their immediate supervisor. Employees working from home are reminded of the importance of accurately charging their work time.

 

• Q. Will dock time taken by an hourly employee during a period of liberal leave be held against them for attendance purposes?

No. Dock time absences during periods of liberal leave are not held against the employee for purposes of attendance discipline.

 

• Q. If an hourly employee uses dock time, does that effect Annual Leave or Sick/Personal Time accrual?

This depends on which bargaining unit you belong to. Employees should ask their supervisor who will confer with Labor Relations.