+44 (0)1233 627 275

Adverse weather; it's good to be prepared

December 2, 2019

Let’s take a moment to be honest and blunt, adverse weather in the UK really shouldn’t ever be a shock. The inhabitants of our island are famed for talking about the weather, residents make their coat and footwear choices based on whether their post person is wearing shorts, so a weather ‘event’ really shouldn’t ever come as a surprise. The inevitable facts are that roads will get icy, rail services will be affected, floods will undoubtedly happen, and staff will be delayed. Ensuring that you have an adverse weather plan in place can keep your business ticking even if the rest of the country isn’t. So, what should it include?

Travel Disruption

One of the biggest impacts of adverse weather is the effect it has on staff commutes. Snow and ice can make a normal drive to work hazardous and the increased risk of accidents can also cause delays. While employees aren’t automatically entitled to pay if they can’t make it into work as a result of the weather, there are measures that employers can put in place to ensure that employee health & safety isn’t compromised by their commute.

An adverse weather plan could state that employees can take annual leave if they feel that their journey to work could be hazardous. Alternatively, you could allow flexible working, where appropriate, to enable staff to work from home. Obviously, for some staff members, working from home isn’t an option, but allowing them to come in slightly later than usual and offering shift swaps can ensure business continuity.

Ensure that your team know what to do in advance

Clarity is key. Making sure that your staff know the procedures for adverse weather can save a lot of stress when they wake up to find their cars buried under feet of snow. Make sure they know who to contact and any alternative or flexible working arrangements that may be available to them.

School closures and emergencies

It’s worth remembering that schools also have staff who commute, so if your team can’t make it in, teachers and school staff will probably be in the same boat. If an employee’s child’s school closes, they are entitled to unpaid emergency time off. If one of your staff has to care for a disabled relative or their partner has been injured due to poor weather conditions, these situations are also classed as emergencies. We always recommend that you keep lines of communication open and that employers show levels of common sense and humanity.

Keep your workplace cosy

There is a minimum workplace temperature of 16°C, or 13°C if the work is physical. Keeping your team warm and happy can go a little further than turning the thermostat up. Adjusting the dress code to allow staff to wear warmer clothes and giving them the opportunity to make hot drinks will not only keep them warm and happy, but will also show them that you are a caring employer. Also, remember to consider the welfare of vulnerable staff members, for example pregnant workers or workers with health issues.

For businesses that have outdoor workers, make sure that they understand the signs of cold stress and that they have access to hot drinks and food. It’s also a good idea to set up a ‘buddy system’, especially for outdoor lone workers, so they can check in on each other.

If you would like assistance in drafting and writing an adverse weather policy, the team at Dakota Blue are always available to assist you, even when it’s snowing.