policy at work on snow days?

[jenniprice]

As you all know it's snowing today.
I live right out in the sticks and it is really bad so I've called work to say can't make it in to work today as don't want to risk it.
I said might go later, but it's still snowing hard here so doubt I will make it.

However whats the policy on days like this?
Is it treated as a sick day? Do I get paid?
I'm on a flexi time system so will they just make me make time up-but it will be 8hours so i'm hoping not!

I don't want to lose money or use a holiday day or use a sick day so just wondering what procedure is.

Thanks for your help

[redcrx]

i suppose itll depend on how generous your employer is. They dont have to pay you just because you didnt turn up but they may allow you to take it from your holiday entitlement.

[dot.hawkes]

It would be authorised absence if your work agree you cannot make it in, but you won't be entitled to a paid day off for it. Can you not change your day off this week though and make up the day later in the week?

[mccfluff]

so far at work a few people have called in and they are taking it as holiday or unpaid leave

[dot.hawkes]

I have mentioned this issue on an earlier thread, many firms will take the opportunity to save on wages today, it is not their fault that people are unable to travel to work, but employers don't have to pay their staff if they are not in work, especially if the absent staff take the day as a holiday and the company have had to pay for someone else to come in a cover the shift.

[ojread2]

My employer, who doesn't have to leaver her house, has already passed the message that the pre-school is open - 1 child turned up!
Today I am only working After School Club but because the school we feed from is closed today, we wont be open and we wont get paid

[dot.hawkes]

I think that is a different case then oj, and you should really ask to take it as paid holiday entitlement as that is not your fault, even though it is not your boss at fault either.

[Ethel]

I really don't understand why you expect your employer to take a loss because you can't go to work.
As you work flexi you will probably be expected to make the time up; if you are not prepared to do that it will either be part of your holiday or unpaid leave.

[ojread2]

yes Dot, I think it is different. I can get to work - i live within walkable distance - even though our feed school is closed I am willing to come in and clean up.
Its my supervisor who cant get in so I forfeit a days pay because of that
We are only paid 39 weeks of the year spread over 52 and our holiday pay forms part of our monthly salary so a days holiday is not something we can just take

[mrs_overall]

Mr O couldn't get to work today so he has to take a day from his annual leave.

[LoftyLottie2]

As an 'oldie' I am still amazed that a small amount of snow can cause such disruption and people expect not to go to work, schools close down, etc. etc. We had such extreme snow conditions years ago and the country never rolled to a halt. Read on an earlier post that the snow was very deep in London - about 4" !!!! How on earth did we cope.

Basically, it's up to the company what policy they employ.

Yours,

Grumpy Old Woman :o(

[tiggerblue10]

My boss called me earlier and said that what little staff were in were to be sent home at 12pm. It will go down as special leave due to weather disruption.

[LoftyLottie2]

And the transport systems didn't stop either unless things were extreme.

I understand that people can't go to work if the transport is not running - but why is the transport not running? Is it all a health and safety thing??

[The Sherman]

Gosh Lofty wonder if its just coincidence that road traffic accidents are down year on year in winter?

nope its pc gone mad aye?

[LoftyLottie2]

I see what you are saying, The Sherman, but I think things stop at the least excuse now. We have a very slight covering of snow today and some of the schools have closed. It will get to the point where things will close down in any untoward weather conditions. What happens in countries where they get snow all winter - and thick snow?

Nothing to do with PC gone mad! - Life is one big risk. Wet roads are dangerous too!!

[dot.hawkes]

The amoubnt of disruption is more about transport than people not wanting to get to work, in 1962 when we had a really bad 6feet of snow, my dad dug a path 100yards long to get us to the main road to school. But in 1962 people didn;lt travel far to work like they do now, many people walked or biked it, and certainly didnlt have to travel in their own cars, cos very few had cars.
Now you have to think about the hazaed of maybe having an accident and being carless whilst it is fixed.

[LoftyLottie2]

Yes, I agree Dot - it is more to do with transport and I concede that there are more cars on the roads. But it was very rare for the buses to stop. They came, even if they came very late - I remember so well waiting for ages at our village bus stop for a bus to take me to school/work. Waiting in thick snow. Sometimes they didn't arrive, so we went home cold and wet. The point is we tried to get in! And I hated school too.

Nowadays I think more people think 'Good it's snowing - no work tomorrow' no school/work!!

[LoftyLottie2]

In 1979 I walked to work through snowdrifts 3 miles as our road was completely blocked (a main country road). He was surprised - not because I had walked in - but because I was late!!!

[Skyline D]

No snow here! (well there's a few flakes in the air but it isn't lying).

I booked today as a holiday because I was watching the SuperBowl last night anyway. I might pop into work later to see what's on my desk anyway.

[dzug]

What happens in countries where they get snow all winter - and thick snow?

They get temporary disruptions much as we do. Then they clear it and carry on.

And they have laws about snow chains and/or winter tyres. How many people here have them??