Winter Weather: Your Questions Answered about Policies for 2026
Check out our Winter Weather stories on CookNet for other tips on how to prepare for and navigate inclement weather, including what you should have in your emergency go-bag and how to request sleeping accommodations.
As we prepare for this weekend’s chilly weather, we’ve compiled a quick look at some questions and answers about inclement weather policies and procedures at Cook Children’s.
Q. If an employee calls in for consecutive shifts during inclement weather can they receive another occurrence?
A: If you are unable to make it for consecutive shifts due to the weather, this is recorded as "Unscheduled – Consecutive – Unpaid." Per policy HR 110, this results in one attendance points. For more information, please read policy HR 110 Attendance.
Q: Will Cook Children’s send out alerts about dangerous weather and travel conditions?
A: During emergency weather situations, we will post the latest information on our Connect Newsroom (access it anywhere) and the Emergency Management page on CookNet (must be connected to the network to access). For weather alerts, subscribe to your local alert service and check local news. Road conditions can be found at www.drivetexas.org.
Q: Is there childcare available in emergency weather?
A: For employees who need childcare during inclement weather, the Cook Children’s child development center “Kid’s Place” at the Fort Worth campus may have spaces available for drop-in care for staff at the current day rate. Bright Horizon’s Care Advantage is also available for employees.
When you need to arrange care through Bright Horizons, you can:
- Call 877-242-2737. Representatives are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Visit clients.brighthorizons.com/cook. After creating an account, log in and click Find a Center (username: cookcares password: care4you)
- Kids’ Place phone number is 817-242-2737
Q: What should I do if I do not think I can safely travel to work?
A: Contact your department leader. Employees who do not report to work as scheduled or who do not call in according to department policy will be considered absent without pay. In such cases, the employee cannot use PTO. Please see Cook Children's policy HR 528.
Q: Can I use sick time or PTO if I don't want to come in during bad weather?
A: If an employee calls in due to personal illness and requests unscheduled PTO, a written doctor's excuse may be required at the department leader's discretion. For more information, see HR Policy 528.
Q: What if I am late because of weather-related travel delays?
A: In emergency weather situations, tardiness due to inclement weather will not count as a violation under the attendance policy. Non-exempt employees who are late will be paid for hours worked.
Q: Do any Cook Children’s clinics or offices ever close due to weather?
A: Decisions to close or modify the hours of an office, department or clinic will be made by that area’s administrative staff in consultation with their executive. Your department leader should contact you if this happens.
If an office or clinic is closed for the day because of the weather, staff will have the option of using PTO or going without pay for the day.
The Prosper campus specialty clinics follow Prosper ISD closures.
Q: How long can I stay if I cannot safely go home?
A: In Fort Worth and Prosper, accommodations are available for as long as staff need due to unsafe travel conditions caused by inclement weather. Just make sure you talk to your manager each day that you need to stay past your shift accommodations can be coordinated for you.
Q: What will be provided if I need to stay due to bad weather?
A: We encourage you to prepare any needed items from home if you anticipate you might stay. Otherwise, your manager can help you access resources. In Fort Worth, resources like air mattresses or cots, linen, toiletries and snacks can be picked up after your shift at the Emergency Disaster Resource Center. In Prosper, the Nursing Supervisor’s office will provide you instructions on obtaining these resources after your room has been assigned.
Q: What should I do with items I borrowed?
A: In Fort Worth please return your borrowed air mattress to the Employee Disaster Resource Center as soon as possible. It is located in the EVS Classroom 0210 in the Medical Center-Fort Worth basement across from Central Stores. Linen can be returned in appropriate linen bins.
In Prosper, all items can be returned at the location you picked them up.