2010 has brought us snow, ice and freezing temperatures far in excess of anything we have experienced for decades. Will this become the norm in future? Who knows? It's only December and winter has just started so businesses should be considering how they will cope if the severe weather continues.
Putting in place a severe weather strategy, or policy, is sensible as this will avoid any confusion. Are you obliged to pay staff who do not turn up for work because of the weather conditions? Well, no, unless your contracts specify otherwise. But, when staff are making a genuine effort to get into work, you may wish to think about this and be a little more creative. I'm sure most of us have experienced disruption to our travel arrangements in recent days. Can staff work from home? Have you considered flexible working, ie changing start and finish times to avoid peak travel periods? Can alternative modes of transport be used?
Demonstrating flexibility and working with your employees during difficult times is usually rewarded with loyalty and commitment.
Last week, a journey that would normally take me an hour took 8 hours. There is nothing you can do when you are stuck on a motorway without moving for 3.5 hours. I'm sure the Transport Minister must have a difficult job at the moment but I don't have a lot of sympathy with some of his excuses. The Scandinavians laugh at us, and I believe rightly so. In this day and age it is ridiculous that we get caught out by snow fall every time it occurs!
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