Getting to work in the snow
Winter has now properly arrived, with heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures across the country, which has lead to widespread travel disruption, including flight cancellations, train delays and closed roads, as well as school closures. To help, we've answered some of your most common questions.
Let's get the bad news out of the way first – if your workplace is open and you can't get in, you wont be paid and it will be marked as unauthorised absence in line with Acas rules. So you will be forced to take unpaid leave.
We have mobile teams that are out on the road who drive to sites, The rule of thumb is - if the mobile team are able to drive safely we expect everyone else to be able to get to sites.
Will I get paid if my work is shut?
If the site you work at has to close its premises we will be unable to bill the customer for any work and therefor you will not be paid for the time off. However if you have holiday we may agree to approve this. This will be on first come first serve basis.
Do I have to walk to work in the snow?
It all depends on what's reasonable. If you usually drive but can't use your car in the snow and you are able to walk to work relatively easily, you might want to do this instead. It is your own responsibility to make travel arrangements and have a back up plan for getting in to work
Will I have to take it as holiday if I can't get to work?
That's a possibility, but only if you're given enough warning – so in practice this will only apply if extreme weather causes major disruption that's expected to last several days.
My Children's School is closed so I can't go to work?
If your child's site is closed and you will need to find an alternative arrangement to look after them. If you are a cleaner or security guard our working time is often out of hours and therefor will still require you to cover your duties.
Public transport is not running?
Public transport can sometimes be unreliable. Even in times where there is good weather there is a possibility that trains or buses are not running. You should always have a back up plan in how you should get to work. Therefor if there is an issue with public transport we will still expect you to either walk, use a different mode of public transport, Cycle or use the public scooters or Bikes, Failing that ask a friend or family member to drive you. However you get there we will expect you to attend your shift.
Staying Safe in the snow
To ensure you are safe these are 10 top tips we recommend to keep yourself safe when travelling to work:
1) Wrap up warm. Make sure you use layers in order to keep warm
2) Wear a woolly hat or ear covers, We also recommend a torch if its dark.
3) Make sure your phone is fully charged.
4) Know your route and how to get there.
5) Leave with plenty of time so you can prepare for extra traffic.
6) Make a hot drink in a flask
7) Ensure family members know where you are going and what times
8) Use popular/well used routes that are gritted
9) Ensure you have good shoes that are water proof and warm
10) try to travel with other citrus colleagues to stay safe.