Managing Staff Absence Caused by Bad Weather

Here we Snow Again!

Winter is finally here and with snow and ice on the ground in many places,  it won't be long before the traffic and travel chaos will follow and Employers will start to feel the impact that weather induced absence triggers.

The major snowfall we experienced in the UK last year is estimated to have cost UK businesses a whopping £0.5 billion and caused the average staff absence rate to shoot up beyond 14% so what impact might this have on Employers this year?

The impact poor weather may have on Employers will be determined by the decisions they make, many of which may be based on issues completely out of their control, but those decisions and the way the issues they create are handled, will ultimately determine the full HR implications.

What if an Employer decides to close the business temporarily due to poor weather conditions?  Do staff still need to be paid?

What if an Employer does open for business but staff can't make it in because of the weather?  Is this unauthorised absence?  Should absent staff be paid?

What if some staff make it in but other staff from the same area don't, should they face disciplinary action?

Employer Initiated Closures

If an Employer decides to temporarily close their business due to extreme weather conditions they are effectively laying-off their staff, albeit temporarily.  However, unless there is a contractual right to lay employees off without pay, or employees expressly consent to being laid off without pay, Employers are obliged to pay staff their normal pay for the duration of the lay-off.

Employee Initiated Absence

Employees are protected by a number of statutory rights, some of which may apply in instances of extreme weather where schools or childcare facilities are themselves suspended due to poor weather.

Employers should start with a full review of existing HR policies.  Do you have an absence policy? Does it include an 'adverse weather policy'?

Having such a policy can help provide clarity when unpredictable weather causes challenges and can confirm what the company's expectations are in terms of absence, what options are available to staff (eg. parental leave) and what the company's pay arrangements in will be in these circumstances.

Employees have a right to time off for dependants and could invoke this right if schools or childcare provisions are cancelled due to adverse weather. Equally, qualifying parents have the right to take unpaid time off work to look after their children or make arrangements for their welfare.

Effective staff absence and absence management polices as part of a thorough employee handbook containing critical HR policies is essential in acting as a point of reference when issues arise and can help make life less difficult and costly for Employers.

At EmployEasily HR we specialise is protecting businesses and helping them prevent problems by providing Clients with legally compliant contracts of employment and comprehensive Employee Handbooks tailored to meet their specific requirements.

If you'd like us to review your current HR compliance and provide you with a free, no obligation quote you can call us directly on 0800 612 4772 or get a FREE QUOTE today.