Snow - getting to work and leave issues

superbiatch · 06-01-2010, 20:38

I'm sure as many of you I've had trouble getting into work due to the snow - so today I took leave. Unfortunately due to patient confidentiality (and because our NHS Trust won't allow anyone under Band 8 a VPN), I'm unable to work from home. For your info I'm work in a non-essential health promotion service.

My manager has put pressure on me to go in tomorrow (i think she's getting it in the neck). So as a good employee I decided to dig my car out the snow and drive to a friends who lives on a bus route to get me in tomorrow should I need it. Unfortunately where I live I'm 12 miles from work and on the opposite side of Merseyside, meaning the wrong bus/train lines.

I had a hurrendous journey here, and as such have decided there is no way I'm driving to work tomorrow. Ice has formed on the main roads (which i don't think have been gritted) and is lumpy pulling my car towards both oncoming traffic and the kerb. I've just left the car in a heap at the side of the road as it was too dangerous for me to continue.

Anyway, it seems the buses might not be on tomorrow (i've seen a few stuck just before), therefore I have no way of getting into work (i'm 8 miles away btw so walking isnt an option).

My manager has stated she wants everyone in, by whatever means and the trust are talking about not paying us although this hasn't been made clear yet. If I was made to take leave then thats fine, so long as those who have none left are also penalised. Is this what happens in other peoples' workplaces? And could they discipline me if I said I wasnt going in?

Thanks for any advice and hopefully it might help others in the same situation

**Rob** · 06-01-2010, 20:49

I can do little better than point you at this BBC article :http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8442851.stm

Sir John Luke · 06-01-2010, 20:50

Conflicting views here

http://www.xperthr.co.uk/blogs/emplo...now-chaos.html

andyandy · 06-01-2010, 20:51

It says here that unfortunately you have no legal right to pay..

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/work/as..._page_id=53962

Hom3r · 06-01-2010, 20:52

I have been lucky, back in feb last year I was unable to get to work because of the snow, there was no way I was risking my neck for my job, my boss didn't mind, and we had the day marked a special paid leave. back in December last year nobody bothered to moan as for most people it was their last day ever there.

My sister had to book today as a holiday as her kids school was shut. her boss wasn't happy but she understood her situation.

This extreme weather will cause trouble for workers, but hopefully bosses will see sense

**Hugh** · 06-01-2010, 20:52

At our place, people are expected to try to get to work (if they get to work late, and have to leave early, we make up the hours so no pay is lost); however, if they don't try, they have to take a day's leave.

alferret · 06-01-2010, 20:52

I told my foreman yesterday that the weather was bad in my home town 16 miles from work. I told him that I was waiting on a call from my wife and that there was a high probability that I would be leaving early (didn't offer them the choice) and I left at 1pm
I also couldn't get in today and a 95% chance that I wont be in tomorrow and I have already informed my supervisor of that. As I work in the private sector on an hourly rate I have 2 choices, I can swallow the 19.5hrs pay that I am likely to lose or I can take that time out of my annual leave.
I would not attempt to drive to work if the road conditions were poor, if the buses are running and you are on the route and its within a short and safe walk from the nearest stop then they may expect you to make the effort even if you get there late

I think that if you don't make it in due to adverse weather conditions they shouldn't\wouldn't make it a disciplinary matter and that pay\leave entitlement would be subject to your contract.

Hom3r · 06-01-2010, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

I can do little better than point you at this BBC article :http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8442851.stm

SB this bit might help

Quote:

Bear in mind there is a potential health and safety implication. If authorities are telling people to stay at home unless their journey is essential then, potentially, you may not want to put too much pressure on people to return to work.
Employers have a duty of care to their employees and a potential liability may exist if employees were pressurised into travelling by car or foot when conditions were dangerous.
Employers should therefore take a balanced approach between encouraging employees to make all reasonable efforts to get to work and forcing them into a situation where they feel they have no alternative but to travel to work or risk facing possible disciplinary action.

superbiatch · 06-01-2010, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

I can do little better than point you at this BBC article :http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8442851.stm

Some interesting info in there, such as its quite draconian to dock pay - but the way I see it if someone has no leave left and I have, why should I be penalised? But then again I suppose the threat of it would get some people who were previously unable to get in.

There are some staff who live less than a mile away from work and didn't get in today, I'm wondering if they will insist on them walking into work if they can.

Thanks for your help with this guys, some really helpful info coming through

Hom3r · 06-01-2010, 21:03

How good is your boss or bosses?

Mine have always been fair. I never took the pee, so I guess I was given some leeway.

Can you realistically get a bus? even if you get in late it will give you brownie points, but can also upset colleges who live far closer who didn't bother to turn up.

superbiatch · 06-01-2010, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r

How good is your boss or bosses?

Mine have always been fair. I never took the pee, so I guess I was given some leeway.

Can you realistically get a bus? even if you get in late it will give you brownie points, but can also upset colleges who live far closer who didn't bother to turn up.

My own boss didn't make it in yesterday - I did however, even though there is only one other employee who lives further away than me (and he didn't get in either). She was shocked I got there, albeit late and rather shaken up.

I realistically cannot get a bus if the services are as they were today, i like my job and actually enjoy working there - besides I'd rather not use my leave up being stuck at home, so its obviously a needs-must situation.

I'm actually ironing my work clothes now, and preparing to go in - this is all kind of 'what if' happens

**Stuart** · 06-01-2010, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverwar

At our place, people are expected to try to get to work (if they get to work late, and have to leave early, we make up the hours so no pay is lost); however, if they don't try, they have to take a day's leave.

A similar rule to what we have..

Charlie_Bubble · 06-01-2010, 21:32

Luckily I normally work a day a week at home RDCing to my work PC, so I'm just doing that for an extra day or two this week.

LSainsbury · 06-01-2010, 21:50

Have a read of this then!

superbiatch · 06-01-2010, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Have a read of this then!

Thats quite interesting that they are recommending employers adopt a consistent approach to all workers, I often feel as though I'm a bit hard-done by because of people with kids

Not looking good on the bus front, no buses are operating in Merseyside as of 19:00 hrs.