Thursday, February 05, 2009

Workers should not have to foot the bill for bad weather conditions, says TUC

The TUC has issued here a model "bad weather" policy for companies to adopt so that workers are not penalised for not being able to get to work due to the appalling weather we have experienced lately.

In an organised branch you may be able to improve on this. This is good benchmark to negotiate on.

"During bad weather or when there are severe transport disruptions, staff may have difficulties getting to work or returning home.

Staff should make every effort to attend work in all circumstances. However, (insert employers name) is committed to protecting staff health and safety and does not expect staff to put themselves at risk when trying to attend work.

Staff should use their judgement. Take heed of any travel warnings and do not travel if advised not to. If you judge that weather conditions or transport problems make it impossible for you to get to work, you should contact your (insert designated contact Head of Department/line manager/ etc) as soon as possible to tell them about the problem.

Your manager will make a judgement on whether: you will be allowed to come in late; or
you will be allowed to work from home; or if your job can't be done at home, you will be allowed not to come in without suffering any loss of pay or annual leave.

If you are advised to come in late, you will be allowed to claim your normal working hours. If your line manager is not available, try to speak to someone else in the workplace. Failing that, please leave a voice mail message for your manager, including a contact telephone number. Your manager will then ring you back to advise you what to do.

If you need to leave work early because of bad weather or severe disruption to transport services, you will need to discuss this first with your line manager or another manager, and depending on the circumstances you will be allowed to claim your normal working hours.

(Insert employer's name) will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all its staff.

You also have a duty to take reasonable care, including taking extra care when travelling to and from work in bad weather".

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Employers are responsible for the weather as well now? Get a life.