A belated snow and pay question.

Savvy_Sue

alunharford wrote: »

As an employer (albeit a very small one at the moment), I have to say that it's utter bean counting to expect to dock employees' wages because they can't get into work. If you want the kind of contract where you pay for piece work then go to an agency or get in contractors.

Leaving your employees in financial trouble because of the weather isn't nice, and it's not good business - you upset and stress out your staff over an irrelevant amount of money. Being able to cope with risks like this is an important part of being an employer.

If you think your employees are screwing you then that's another issue (you have a morale issue or you are recruiting the wrong people).

I agree with everything you've said, BUT the morale / wrong people issue can be a little more complicated.

If you have a policy, it needs to be consistent. You can't say "OK, John can have that day as paid because I know he's a good employee normally, but Jane can't because she is always taking advantage." Either everyone can have it as paid, or everyone is asked to take it as leave or make the time up.

At least, that's IMO.

rupee99

Surely common sense would prevail. If the metoffice has issued a warning not to travel unless a journey is absolutely essential then, with the exception of the few professions that are, people should not be expected to get to work. In all other circumstances unless the employee can demonstrate that their personal circumstances prevent their journey, eg blocked road etc, they should be expected to turn up and perform their durites in accordance with their contract of employment. If an employee doesn't then s/he should not be paid, or make up the time.

There is no right to be paid unless on fulfils one's obligations.

jdturk

alunharford wrote: »

As an employer (albeit a very small one at the moment), I have to say that it's utter bean counting to expect to dock employees' wages because they can't get into work. If you want the kind of contract where you pay for piece work then go to an agency or get in contractors.

Leaving your employees in financial trouble because of the weather isn't nice, and it's not good business - you upset and stress out your staff over an irrelevant amount of money. Being able to cope with risks like this is an important part of being an employer.

If you think your employees are screwing you then that's another issue (you have a morale issue or you are recruiting the wrong people).

its all good and well having that policy if you can afford it but how many would work for free if the shoe was on the other foot......not many I suspect

jeniper

I did not make it to work on two occasions due to the bad weather. I did not expect to be paid for those days. When I was at work last week I was left on my own to lock up (a frequent occurrence) , I set the alarm, went to my car, which was just outside the shop, slipped and fell on the ice in the dark, landed on my cocclyx and twisted my knee. There was nobody about and I could only get up by pulling myself into my car. I am a 59 year old woman and it upset me greatly. I had 3 days off work because of my injuries. On the last day I had a phone call at home telling me that I would not be paid for being off work! I filled in the accident book when I went back to work and realised that it probably would not have happened if there had been a light outside the premises.
What does everybody think about this?

jdturk

Hi Jeniper

1) Is it in your contract that you do not get paid the first three days of illness, if so you can't do anything about that
2) Regards the lighting you need to go see a solicitor and see what they say? If your car was not on company premises I can't see you standing much chance but then I am not a lawyer.
3) If you sue your company then please realise that it may be untenable to go back to work even if they are found guilty

jeniper

I did actually do this on company premises, it was on the forecourt. We are allowed 10 days sick pay in one rolling year, and i am told I have used them up. I only used them because I had swine flu. I think that they should have a duty of care to make sure that I am not on my own in the dark locking up, especially when the weather is bad.

SandC

jeniper if this was on the premises then it must be reported as an accident at work and you can now begin the process of claiming for your injury. Employers are well insured for this kind of thing and making a claim should not be detrimental to your employment.

As for the sick pay your claim will cover that in what you are claiming for.

If you are in a union then that should be your first port of call but otherwise you could try national accident helpline or suchlike.

jeniper

Trouble is there are no witnesses. I have not done permanent damage and it is not worth it to me to go legal. It would be helpful if the H & S Executive dept. comment ( I have filled in a form online) I think if they told my company that they should pay in these circumstances, then they would. When I filled in the accident book they asked about lighting outside ( there is none) and said they would look into that.

lifesizedoll

No you shouldn't have to pay someone for going home early as your policy is only if they can't get into work, not if there might be a problem getting home. If all your staff felt like that then who would care for the residents. If you are providing employee's with the work then it is their responsibility to be in for their job. It would have been diffeferent if you were an office and you had shut because of the weather. If he does not like driving in snow then that is up to him to make alternative arrangements.

jdturk

SandC wrote: »

jeniper if this was on the premises then it must be reported as an accident at work and you can now begin the process of claiming for your injury. Employers are well insured for this kind of thing and making a claim should not be detrimental to your employment.

As for the sick pay your claim will cover that in what you are claiming for.

If you are in a union then that should be your first port of call but otherwise you could try national accident helpline or suchlike.

Should not be but you never know.