While a Black Rainstorm Warning is in effect, staff and students should stay indoor or take shelter in a safe place. Staff should report for duty as soon as the Warning is cancelled, if weather and transport conditions permit.  The University's top priority is staff safety.  Staff having genuine difficulties in returning to office should explain to their supervisor immediately and seek approval for alternative work arrangements.

As a general rule, if the warning is cancelled at or after 12 noon on weekdays (OR at or after 8 am on Saturdays for those who are required to work on Saturday morning; OR at or after 12 noon for those who are required to work whole day on Saturday), Department Heads have the discretion to arrange staff to work from home subject to meeting operational requirements.  Staff who are on shift duties should report to work two hours after the above warning is cancelled.  For faculty with teaching duty, please follow Arrangement for Class / Exam under weather warning signals Bad weather arrangement - In Case of Typhoon or Rainstorm (Class) / HKUST - Academic Registry.

If a Black Rainstorm Warning is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory during working hours, it will be announced via the e-mail network  or through IDLPs. Staff and students should stay on campus for their own safety. If the Black Rainstorm Warning is issued during office hours and continues to be in effect at the end of the day, staff may leave as usual. However, given that the general advice during a Black Rainstorm Warning is that people should take shelter at a safe place, staff who decide to leave at that time, rather than remain where they are, should exercise due care when travelling home. Information will be provided via e-mail network on public transportation arrangements / outside traffic conditions (if information is available) and other special arrangements. Members of staff should check their e-mails for updated information and special arrangement.

If a Black Rainstorm Warning is cancelled before the end of the working day, an announcement will be made via e-mail network.