Managing absence due to bad weather or transport conditions
As winter weather can make it increasingly difficult to travel, employers and employees should consider how this could impact on the workplace. Having plans in place will help you to prepare for any possible difficulties and it will also help your staff know what to do in these situations.
LRA Guidance
- Know when to pay your employees
Employees are not automatically entitled to pay if they are unable to get to work because of bad weather. There is no legal right for staff to be paid by an employer for travel delays - unless the travel itself is constituted as working time or in some situations where the employer provides the transport. However, employers may have contractual, collective or custom and practice arrangements in place for this. Discretionary payment for travel disruption might also be of use. - Be flexible where possible
If it’s possible for you to take a flexible approach to matters such as working hours and location it may result in the employees being more effectiveI Also your response to bad weather and travel disruption can impact staff morale and productivity. For example, if it’s possible for you to provide an opportunity for staff to work from home it could enhance their morale and boost productivity. - Use information technology
Information technology could be useful in enabling some businesses to run effectively if many employees are absent from work for example using laptops or smartphones. - Deal with issues fairly
Even if your business is damaged by the impacts of workers being absent, you should still ensure that any measures you take are carried out according to proper and fair procedures that comply with the law. This will help maintain good, fair and consistent employee relations and help prevent complaints to employment tribunals. - Plan ahead
If you have never been in this situation before, now is a good time to think about how you might handle future scenarios. Think about issues such as alternative working patterns or who can cover at short notice and put appropriate policies in place.
