Operating Status: What does it mean? Published Sept. 30, 2010 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- With winter approaching do you remember how to check Tinker's operating status and what each one means. There are a few important points to keep in mind. The first is that the operating status remains "open" unless officially changed. This means base personnel should normally anticipate the base being open and conducting its vital national defense missions. People should expect that they are required to report for duty as scheduled. The second is that official decisions on the operating status of Tinker AFB are normally made very early each duty day - between 3 and 4 a.m. This means that people should check various reporting outlets such as the Straight Talk Line and local media to confirm the operating status for that duty day and shift. Tinker personnel should not presume that the operating status one day or shift is the same as next. During inclement weather, please check the operating status each day. In the event severe weather strikes during the normal day-shift duty schedule, we will work to quickly get out information on issues such as early release, shift cancellations, etc. If the storm hits outside normal duty hours, we will augment our internal notification system and push the information to local television and radio stations The Tinker Straight Talk Line is the primary source for base operating status. Basically, Tinker has four main categories of operating status (Open, Early Dismissal/Release, Late Reporting and Closed). In addition, Liberal Leave may also be authorized. Weather Status Open: What announcement means: Base functions will open on time, and employees are expected to report for work as scheduled. Additional guidance: Organizations should be as flexible as possible in approving annual leave or LWOP for employees who face emergency situations or other hardships (e.g., when schools/child care centers open late or are closed). Closed: What announcement means: Employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" are excused from duty without loss of pay or charge to leave. "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. Additional guidance: Workdays on which Tinker is closed are non-workdays for leave purposes. Employees who are on approved leave before the closure must be granted excused absence. This does not apply to employees on LWOP, military leave, suspension or in a nonpay status. Employees on alternative work schedules are not entitled to another AWS day off "in lieu of" the workday on which the agency is closed. Liberal Leave: What announcement means: Tinker AFB functions will open on time, but employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" may take leave without prior approval of their supervisors. "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. Additional guidance Employees must inform their supervisors if they plan to take annual leave or LWOP. If an employee fails to report for work and has not informed the supervisor of his or her plans to take leave, the organization may charge the employee absence without leave. Late Reporting: What announcement means: Tinker functions will open on time, but employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" should adjust their normal home departure time consistent with the announcement. Employees who arrive late for work within the specified time will be excused without loss of pay or charge to leave. Additional guidance: "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. This announcement may affect only one shift at a time with policy changes and announcements for each shift. It may or may not be combined with "Liberal Leave." Early Dismissal: What announcement means: During normal work hours, the commander may decide on an "Early Dismissal" policy. When this announcement is made, employees should be dismissed relative to their normal departure times from work. Only employees who are in a duty status (not on leave) are excused without charge to leave. Employees who are in a telework status are expected to complete their normal day or request leave. Additional guidance: If a two-hour "Early Dismissal" is announced, those who normally leave their duty stations at 3:30 p.m. would leave at 1:30 p.m.