The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice this week, as snow is set to hit the UK. Whilst the snow shouldn’t be as heavy or widespread as ‘The Beast from the East’, snow always brings with it a level of disrupts to daily routines and work schedules.
In light of this weather warnings, it’s essential for both employers and employees to understand their rights and responsibilities regarding time off work and working from home during such events.
So, what are you rights and responsibilities as an employee, Paralegal India Badini explains.
Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities
In the UK, employment law provides a framework to address situations where adverse weather affects the ability to work. Employees are not automatically entitled to pay if they are unable to get to work because of bad weather unless their contract states otherwise. Employees should therefore communicate with their employers about working from home, taking leave, or making up time later if they cannot get to work because of travel disruption.
Flexible Working Arrangements
Next, flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times, or working from home. All employees have the legal right to request flexible working. Employers must deal with these requests in a ‘reasonable manner’ and can only refuse applications for good business reasons.
Health and Safety Considerations
Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for their workers whether they work at home or in a workplace. This includes ensuring that the home working environment is safe and that employees have the necessary equipment to perform their duties effectively. One way to do this is by undertaking home-working risk assessments.
Practical Steps for Employers and Employees
- Review Employment Contracts: Ensure that contracts clearly outline terms regarding adverse weather conditions, including expectations for attendance, payment, remote work, and leave entitlements.
- Implement Clear Policies: Putting an ‘adverse weather’ or ‘journey into work’ policy into place that deals with the steps employees are required to take to try to get into work on time and how the business will continue if they cannot is a good idea. It is important to have something in the policy which deals with lateness and how pay will be affected as a result.
- Establish Clear Communication Channels: Both parties should maintain open lines of communication to discuss potential disruptions and agree on suitable arrangements promptly.
- Implement Flexible Working Policies: Employers should consider adopting flexible working policies that allow for remote work during severe weather, ensuring business continuity and employee safety.
- Ensure Health and Safety Compliance: When employees work from home, employers must ensure that the home environment is safe and that employees have the necessary equipment to perform their duties effectively.
Understanding the legal framework and maintaining open communication can help both employers and employees navigate the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, ensuring safety and productivity during the winter months.
For more help and guidance related to Employment Law please call our Employment Law Team on 01206 766333 or email India.
