Snow Day Rights

LittleMax

TyreLever wrote: »

"If you're unable to get to work, the best thing is try to come to an alternative agreement with your employer, such as working from home"

Hear this work from home stuff a lot. Im a fork lift driver, how would I go about working from home? What a stupid thing to say.

For the last snow days we were told we could work from home, and if we hadn't got work we could do at home that we should spend the time considering our individual development. So not so stupid, but you do need a condsiderate boss.

RichardD1970

LittleMax wrote: »

For the last snow days we were told we could work from home, and if we hadn't got work we could do at home that we should spend the time considering our individual development. So not so stupid, but you do need a condsiderate boss.

:rotfl::rotfl:

pjcox2005

London50 wrote: »

while I agree with some of what you say it is strange to me that it only seems in this country that a couple of inches of snow or a bit of ice and large areas come to a standstill.While rural areas do have some claim regarding the closing of schools due to loss of heating IMO there is no reason why a person teaching {or in any other job} cannot use their legs and walk {I know for many "walk" is a four letter word in more than its'spelling}. Life does not stop just because it snows or the temp drops low.
The winter of 62/63 was bad few schools shut due to the weather and I do wonder if generations past were tougher than the ones today {perhaps that is something that could be debated sometime on the forum ??};)

Perhaps we could also debate if the current generation are more sensible and intelligent to realise one or two days won't impact the world turning so taking a day off rather than hours wading through snow may be a better option.


Saying it tongue in cheek as we do seem to have lost a bit of sense in these situations but I do tend to work from home those days (as it's just the same if I have a laptop with me) rather than adding to the issues on the roads etc.

Ozzuk

I was on a course recently (leadership) where they were using schools as as example of poor people management. Schools often close at the hint of snow because teachers just won't come into work. Snow is appearing to lessen year on year, cars are getting safer year on year but the number of schools closing has increased.

In the early days staff would make an effort, then an increasing amount didn't. When those few who didn't weren't chastised, coupled with the fact whoever did make it in had to deal with the issues, the result was more people just not bothering. Now schools know the majority won't bother so they have to close rather than risk opening.

We also discussed management in the NHS, but that's a whole other topic! It was an interesting point of view though.

motorguy

pjcox2005 wrote: »

Perhaps we could also debate if the current generation are more sensible and intelligent to realise one or two days won't impact the world turning so taking a day off rather than hours wading through snow may be a better option.


Saying it tongue in cheek as we do seem to have lost a bit of sense in these situations but I do tend to work from home those days (as it's just the same if I have a laptop with me) rather than adding to the issues on the roads etc.

All very well and you did say it tongue in cheek, however to cite an example, my wife works for a large call centre group and at the slightest hint of snow, 25% of people wont turn in. 250 people down in a 1,000 seater contact centre when you're billing them out on an hourly rate gets very expensive very quickly.

kathrynha

TyreLever wrote: »

"If you're unable to get to work, the best thing is try to come to an alternative agreement with your employer, such as working from home"

Hear this work from home stuff a lot. Im a fork lift driver, how would I go about working from home? What a stupid thing to say.

Working from home might not be practical for all jobs, but that doesn't make it a stupid suggestion.

motorguy

kathrynha wrote: »

Working from home might not be practical for all jobs, but that doesn't make it a stupid suggestion.

Indeed.

pjcox2005

motorguy wrote: »

All very well and you did say it tongue in cheek, however to cite an example, my wife works for a large call centre group and at the slightest hint of snow, 25% of people wont turn in. 250 people down in a 1,000 seater contact centre when you're billing them out on an hourly rate gets very expensive very quickly.

I work in professional services so everything is charged by the hour so understand completely and it is just the way of the world. I do find it strange though that the system is so constrained/efficient that people can't cope with a couple of days shut, it's not like the business/sale if genuine should be lost into the ether forever.

silverwhistle

I used to live (and teach) in the Alps, so have a different view of a bit of snow than some others on here. Having snow tyres on after a recent trip back there also helps (!), although looking at the weather maps it looks as if my bit of Hampshire will escape.

I never missed a an unwarranted day with 25 years for a big company, but I tended to live not too far away. When all the roads were blocked in 1987 after the hurricane I turned round, got my pushbike out and cycled to work, climbing over trees with the bike where necessary. When I moved into FE teaching the situation never arose, and was only ever late for one class when there was major gridlock following a road accident. No one else made it on time either!

I'm sure some people should put more effort in to getting in, but by and large most are conscientious. But you're obviously going to make more effort in a responsible job than if you're on a minimum wage type regarded-as-cannon-fodder job. Plus in some places they'll be aware that management will have no sympathy if they do make the effort, slip and get an injury that keeps them off work.

I recall some highly paid city type complaining about post office employee absenteeism during a transport strike: "Why don't they just drive in or get a taxi"..

If there's understanding on all sides you'll find things will go on just fine.

heatherw_01

When I worked at a supermarket that treated staff poorly, when I couldn't get in as I was snowed in and the buses weren't running I called in and was told if I can't get in it would be a disciplinary or I would have to take it as a sick day.
After 2 periods sick in a year you got a disciplinary too