Working in bad weather is snow joke – so if you’re out and about, please take care!
While workers should make every effort to get into their workplaces, bosses shouldn’t force staff to make dangerous journeys just for the sake of it.
Nor should people attempt to travel if it’s not safe to do so – particularly if they live in remote areas.
But what are the options when snow makes it too risky to get into work?
Weather policies
Good bosses will have bad weather policies in place so staff know what to do – and if they don’t, they should be drawing them up.
These weather policies should clearly set out what staff should do when snow and ice on the roads or a lack of public transport prevents them getting to work.
Pay
Employers and workers must keep each other informed as to whether it’s safe, or even possible, to commute to and from work.
Whether your boss can withhold pay if you don’t get to work due to bad weather depends on your contract, or the usual practice in your workplace. Check your company policy.
Childcare
Bad weather policies should also cover what parents should do if schools close, and no alternative childcare is in place.
Employers need to be aware of the difficulties faced by staff with children in schools that close due to the weather.
Some may be able to take their children to work and others may be able to work from home. But those who can do neither need support and understanding from their managers.
Working from home
When the snow causes problems it makes sense for employers to allow staff to work from home if they can, instead of struggling through the bad weather for a lengthy commute to and from work.
An increasing amount of employees are now able to work from home, with TUC research finding that 1.6 million employees regularly work from home.
This could be a useful option for employers and staff to make the best of the situation.
Temperature
Managers shouldn’t forget that they also need to keep their workplaces safe during cold weather.
The temperature should normally be at least 16°C (or 13°C if much of the work indoors involves severe physical effort).
And bosses should also ensure entrances to workplaces are gritted and not slippery.