Pay Deduction for Bad Weather

madammim_2

well, DH went in to start his nightshift Monday and shift leader had been asked to collect everybodys options for the Friday the factory shut down : complete the holiday form for 1 night/opt to make up the hours (now been told this must be completed in this quarter) or unpaid leave. Everyone opted for holiday but many complained about their hands being forced. 1 person wants to check with the union and another wants to do some research so shift leader said he will hold the forms back till Friday to see what they find out. Tuesday afternoon DH gets a call from Manager to ask what he has opted for and to say they (the firm) are thinking of persuing it as if it were a lay-off now and paying Statutory Guaranteed Pay of around £21 for the day. Can this be right, classing a closure due to snow (which was unnecessary, roads were perfectly clear) as an industrial lay-off? sounds a bit dodgy to me.

Scousebird_2

I am probably going to get flamed for this view but I think unless you make an agreement at least to work the time back gradually, or have a days leave deducted then an employer should not be made to pay for that day. The reason I say this is because no work has physically been done and if you don't at least show willing to make the time back, then the employer shouldn't pay you for not working.

I feel that if you offer to work the time back in bits then most employers will rather save hastle in deducting a days pay than doing it if you are to make hours up within the month-lets face it-we're only on the 10th now-if you paid last working day of the month, or even mid month, and extra hour a day to make up a missed day will be easy enough.

That's just my thought and is no means a critisism of anyone who did ring in sick-I only wish i did because we were rushed off our feet (in a hospital) lol!

Modette_2

A bit of advice for anyone in the same situation as me, no holidays left and had to take time off because they could not get in to work - ask if you can use holidays out of your next years holiday entitlement. That is the resolution that we have come up with here. I could not afford to not be paid for those 2 days and was arguing the point that my employer should not take money out of my salary due to not attending due to the bad weather. I have also suggested that they put something in the employee contract that reflects any situation like this to stop this situation happening in the future. A big thank you all though for the response - never thought it would be such a response!!!!!

SandC

That's a good solution Modette.

I think we're all pretty much in agreement that if the employee is told not to come in then it's hardly fair that they have to take a day's leave or have an unpaid day.

If it's down to some people being able to get in and others not then holidays should be taken or be unpaid as otherwise that would penalise those who live close to work and can make it come hell or high water.