As we enter Winter, we might see some snow and ice conditions in the UK making it difficult for employees to travel to and from work.
As an employer what do I need to do regarding employees wages during adverse weather conditions?
If an employee does not come to work because of the bad weather do I still, as an employer, have to pay them?
- The short answer is no. There is no legal right for an employee to be paid for travel delays or time off (unless you have a contractual obligation). It is the employees’ responsibility to get to work. If the employee does not attend work, the employer has no obligation to pay them.
- Employers may
however wish to be as accommodating as they can by allowing employees to take the time off asholiday orthat hours lost are made up at a later date. - Employers may also wish for the employee to work from a different office/branch, or remotely from home, if at all possible.
If an employee’s child’s school is closed due to bad weather, do they still have to work?
- No, if an employee’s child is unable to attend school due to closures and/or their regular childcare arrangements are unavailable then they are legally allowed to have time off. It is the employer’s choice whether this is paid or unpaid.
If as an employer, I
- Yes. An employee would be entitled to be paid for the full day.
If an employee requests to go early because of the deteriorating weather conditions do I still have to pay them?
- No. If an employee asks to go home early and you say yes, there is no obligation to pay them for the hours lost but you should draw this to your employee’s attention so it is clear to them.
If you close for full days, again employees would be entitled to be paid in full unless the contract of employment allows for unpaid layoff.
For further questions regarding payroll and employee rights, please contact us.
December 20th, 2021
