A belated snow and pay question.

elsien

I work in a care home, so staff not working due to snow is a major problem for us -not like an office, where it can close for the day.
Now on the whole, people are pretty sensible (and I'm certainly not advocating that staff try to get in regardless of circumstances).
But I had someone go home 5 hours early the other day because he "doesn't drive in snow." It had just started snowing and settling - I've driven in worse many times - and didn't affect public transport at all, the buses kept running.
So although company policy says that people who genuinely can't get in still get paid, I sort of think he's trying it on a bit and only want to pay him for the time he was on shift.
Just wondered how other companies work this, and whether people think I'm being unreasonable. (We're not talking about the major snow falls that brought places to a halt, just an inch or so overnight.)

ohreally

elsien wrote: »

But I had someone go home 5 hours early the other day because he "doesn't drive in snow." It had just started snowing and settling - and didn't affect public transport at all, the buses kept running.

Hindsight is wonderful. Based on the snowfall we've seen in the last week or so, was it reasonably foreseeable that the roads would be relatively clear or is there a reasonable possibility that the driving conditions could become hazardous over the coming hours? It only takes an inch or so to bring roads and rail to a standstill when coupled with freezing temp and a lack of planning and resources from local authorities.

At the time he made a decision to go home, no-one would know the effect the weather would have on public transport.

I'm sure he didn't take the decision lightly.

elsien

Generally speaking I'd be with you on that one, it's just the "I don't drive in snow" bit which was said before there was any hint of snow in our area. I got the impression that one flake of snow and we wouldn't see him for dust, he wouldn't make any effort to get in till it had completely cleared, but would still expect to be paid, regardless. Got my back up a bit, as I felt he wasn't willing to even consider making the effort and would play the situation for what it was worth.
Perhaps I should give the benefit of the doubt till next time, but I was curious to see what other companies do and whether there's any consistency or whether people make it up as they go along!

ohreally

Since a policy already exists perhaps it's time to review it and include what happens in these circumstances in readiness for the next time.

jdturk

there is a massive discussion on this very thing in the discussion board in the moneysaving arms

I am on the view that as neither the employee or employer are at fault for snow that the employee would not be paid if they could not make it in.

Anihilator

Best way to do it in future (and done by our company)

Call in a replacement who lives quite close to the staffmember and would use the same routes. If they make it then fire the employee on a discliplinary

We had plenty of people call in for support sessions, in each case a replacement very close by was called in and those who done the sickies were not paid and given a warning

Sadly especially in lower paid jobs like care their are scammers at every corner.

Oldernotwiser

I think that this might depend on the sort of drive he would have to do to get home and whether he could have done it by public transport (or walked) if the weather has worsened rapidly.

alunharford

Bear in mind that as an employer you have a duty of care to your employees. If your policy causes an employee to drive to work in conditions beyond their ability and there is an accident as a result then you're in serious trouble.

cheeky841

As a person who has had an accident previously in the snow, nope it wasnt snowing when I left for work and there wasnt a lot of snow on the ground when I had the accident it was just early in the morning I am very reluctant to drive in the snow or ice full stop so can appreciate the person saying they wont drive in snow! Now this isnt just when I am at work, I havent driven when it was icey and snowy whilst at the weekend etc unless I have no other option. If I lived close enough to walk I would walk however and if public transport was an option I would also use this!

Oldernotwiser

Choosing whether or not to drive in snow is reasonable but then it's up to the employee to find alternative ways of getting to and from work, whether that's having a lift, walking or taking public transport. I don't think that it's the employer's responsibility to pay when the employee isn't at work because of a personal choice.

MrsE_2

I think its perfectly reasonable for firms to make staff take annual leave for days lost due to snow. I wouldn't have a problem with this.