Cold Weather Absences

With the cold weather season upon us it is inevitable that employees will call in sick for various reasons but how do you handle those who say they cannot report to work because they are snowed in?
Employers have a duty to provide work to employees and employees have a duty to complete the work - this is the foundation of the employment contract. This applies regardless of the weather conditions. As an employer you are therefore within your rights to refuse to pay any employee who cannot attend work under these circumstances or who is late for work. Such deductions would not be unlawful. However, it is prudent to consider employee morale, motivation and public relations. Not paying employees can have a damaging effect on the business.
It is therefore recommended that employers plan for such events by considering options such as:

Working from home.
Pay them and ask them to make up the time over a set period of time eg, the next month.
Ask them to take the time in holiday leave.
Ask them to consider alternative modes of transport to their usual mode.

What about absences related to your employee's children school being closed? Consider and discuss with the employee in this instance all the parental leave rights such as:

Emergency Time off
Parental Leave
Special Leave Holiday Leave

Whatever the option(s) agreed upon make sure your employees know the company policy by communicating it well in advance of any bad weather conditions occurring.

Need more advice on this, simply telephone us on 02088168726.