With the recent snow and ice causing commuting chaos and a lot more of the winter still to come, what should employers do for their employees in the bad weather?
Employers should not only be consistent in their approach but also be understanding as to each employees needs.
Employees should be encouraged to make reasonable attempts to get in to work, even if it means them arriving late but safe. Employers should not be too strict about start times and a degree of flexibility will be needed on both sides. Employers should also make sure that immediate access to the work place is safe by gritting steps, pathways and car parks where necessary.
Once employees have made it in, employers should be aware of employees needing to get home. If a decision is made to close the office, the employees should be informed as soon as possible and employers should make payment for the full day.
Equally employers will need to be mindful that some employees may need to leave early as a result of schools or nurseries closing. Where possible, employers could allow employees to work from home. In some circumstances allowances could be made for this to happen in advance even if this is not a normal course of action during the rest of the year.
Where employees are unable to turn up for work due to poor weather, there is no obligation on employers to pay employees for the day (or days) that they don’t attend. Employers should ask the employees whether they would prefer to take the day or days as paid holiday or unpaid leave.
Employers should not only be consistent in their approach but also be understanding as to each employees needs.
Employees should be encouraged to make reasonable attempts to get in to work, even if it means them arriving late but safe. Employers should not be too strict about start times and a degree of flexibility will be needed on both sides. Employers should also make sure that immediate access to the work place is safe by gritting steps, pathways and car parks where necessary.
Once employees have made it in, employers should be aware of employees needing to get home. If a decision is made to close the office, the employees should be informed as soon as possible and employers should make payment for the full day.
Equally employers will need to be mindful that some employees may need to leave early as a result of schools or nurseries closing. Where possible, employers could allow employees to work from home. In some circumstances allowances could be made for this to happen in advance even if this is not a normal course of action during the rest of the year.
Where employees are unable to turn up for work due to poor weather, there is no obligation on employers to pay employees for the day (or days) that they don’t attend. Employers should ask the employees whether they would prefer to take the day or days as paid holiday or unpaid leave.
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