Parts of the West Midlands have been blanketed by a frosty blast, with snow sightings across Birmingham and the Black Country marking a chilly start to the new year. The Met Office forecasts further wintry conditions for other UK regions in the coming days, prompting urgent questions from employees about their rights if they cannot reach their workplace.
Your Immediate Steps During Travel Disruption
According to the government-funded Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), the first and most crucial action is to contact your employer as soon as possible if you are delayed or completely unable to travel. Employers are then expected to discuss available options and clarify how your pay might be affected.
Acas advises employees to proactively consider several possibilities. You should check if you have the necessary equipment to work from home, explore alternative travel routes if your usual transport is disrupted, and inform any affected clients or customers. It is also important to see if urgent work needs covering and whether alternative care arrangements for children or dependants can be made.
The Employer's Duty of Care in Severe Weather
A key principle highlighted by Acas is the employer's legal 'duty of care' for staff health and safety. This means bosses should not pressure employees to attempt travel when it is unsafe. This duty is particularly relevant when authorities advise against non-essential journeys by car or public transport due to heavy snow or ice.
Employers have a range of flexible options to help manage disruption. They can permit staff to arrive later if conditions are expected to improve, allow flexible hours to make up lost time, or facilitate working from home. Other solutions include temporarily adjusting hybrid working agreements, swapping shifts with colleagues who can travel more easily, or changing duties to tasks that can still be performed.
Annual Leave and Considerations for Drivers
In some cases, employers may offer staff the opportunity to take paid annual leave during the disruption. An employee might prefer to take paid holiday if they would otherwise not be paid, Acas notes.
The guidance differs slightly for those who drive as a core part of their job. Acas emphasises that employees in this position should double-check the specific recommendations, as their employer's responsibilities regarding safe travel may carry additional considerations.
As the West Midlands and other UK areas brace for more winter weather, understanding these guidelines can help both employees and employers navigate the challenges posed by snow and ice effectively and safely.
