If you are designated as an “Essential” employee and are required to report to work during a University closure you need to note the time worked during the closure as Essential Time in EmpCenter to ensure you are paid properly.  Please note the instructions below are in addition to entering your work hours as normal (clocking, work in/out, regular hours) on your timesheet.

  1. After recording your hours for the day as normal (clocking, work in/out, regular hours), access your timesheet and add a row to the day you need to add Essential Time by clicking on the green plus sign:

    arrow pointing to add a row button on timesheet

  2. Select Essential Time from the Pay Code drop down list:

    pay code drop down list showing essential time

  3. Enter the number of hours worked (only include worked time – do not include your meal break) during the closure and enter comments explaining the hours:

    hours and comments entered for essential time pay code

    Note: essential time is not considered overtime and cannot be converted to comp time.

  4. Save your timesheet: 

    timesheet saved showing hours and comments and red level exception for essential time

You will see a red-level exception.  After you submit your timesheet for the pay period, your supervisor will review the hours for appropriateness and acknowledge the exception if the hours are correct.  If your supervisor determines that any of the hours are not eligible for Essential Time, they will reduce the hours as appropriate and explain the changes in the Comments column or Timesheet Comments tab.  If you have questions, please reach out to HR.

Essential time is paid at time and a half.  Once it is approved, in the results tab you will see your worked time paid at your regular rate and Essential Time paid at half your regular rate for a total of time and a half. 

To earn double time and a half, you must also enter the Closure Leave with Essential Time pay code in addition to the hours worked AND Essential Time:

timesheet showing clocked time essential time and closure leave with essential time on closure day

Once the Essential Time is approved, in the results tab you will see worked time paid at your regular rate and Essential Pay paid at time and a half for a total of double time and a half.