Adverse Weather Policies

Disruption caused by adverse weather conditions can be difficult for employees and employers alike. Employers have to grapple with getting business done with a limited workforce whilst employees face the uncertainty of whether they will be paid if they have to stay at home because of school closures or just aren’t able to get into work.

Employees should ensure that they have back up plans for childcare and travel if they are reliant on public transport but in emergency situations an employee is entitled to take unpaid time off to look after their dependents, for example if their child’s school is closed and there is no other childcare at short notice.

Tips for dealing with Adverse weather conditions

• Plan in advance by having a clear written adverse weather policy. In the event of adverse weather conditions, will employees be paid if they can’t get in to work, can they make the time up or can they take a day’s holiday?
• Consider any Health and Safety implications of employees struggling to get to work, but make it clear what you expect from them in terms of getting to work.
• Consider whether employees can work from home, is your business able to offer remote working with IT so that business disruption is minimised for employees not physically able to be in the workplace?

We can advise you on how to deal with this difficult situation and draft an adverse weather policy tailored to your business needs. Please contact us to discuss further.