With Storm Ciara taking over the UK last week, the Midlands seeing a blanket of snow this week and Storm Dennis forecast for the coming weekend, do you know how to prepare for adverse weather conditions and how you need to protect your employees?
You may be concerned with finding out how your employees are going to get to work and whether there are going to be any disruptions. The biggest risks which could have an impact on your employee’s day to day commute, is usually snow and ice, especially if it is unexpected.
It is a good idea to have an adverse weather policy in your employee handbook so that both you and your employees are aware of what is expected. All employers have a duty of care to their employees in relation to their health and safety when they are traveling to and from work.
You could put in place some alternative arrangements in light of the adverse weather conditions. These could include, allowing your employees to work from home, allowing a later start time or earlier finish time or allowing employees to swap shifts if they cannot make it to the office, with employees who are able to make it into the office.
If possible, before the adverse weather makes an appearance, discuss with your employees any arrangements which you are happy to put into place and how they should contact you if they are not able to make it into work.
You may consider completely shutting down your business for a day or two if the conditions are extremely poor. The general rule with whether the employees are to be paid or not depend on the situation, The general rule is if your employees are able to come to work but you have decided to close your business, your employees should be paid. If your business remains open and your employees are not able to attend work, they should take this as unpaid leave or annual leave.
Need more help or want to put an adverse weather policy into place but don’t know where to start? Call us on 0115 870 0150 or email us at support@guardianlaw.co.uk.
