The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a direct plea to employers across the United Kingdom, urging them not to penalise workers who are unable to reach their workplaces due to severe snowfall and icy conditions.
Unions Call for Common Sense and Safety
The union body stated that employees must not be forced to take excessive risks by attempting dangerous journeys during the current period of bad weather. It emphasised that companies should have clear, pre-established policies detailing how staff should proceed when snow, ice, or public transport failures prevent them from commuting.
"This will be a stressful time for many people, especially with forecasters sounding the alarm," said TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak. He stressed that employers must demonstrate basic common sense and understanding. The TUC's position is clear: no worker should face pressure to make a hazardous trip or be punished with lost pay or forced to use holiday allowance simply because the weather has made travel impossible.
Remote Work and Parental Responsibilities Highlighted
The guidance highlights two key solutions for maintaining productivity and safety. Firstly, the TUC said it makes sense for bosses to permit staff to work from home wherever feasible when transport networks are crippled by snow.
Secondly, employers are reminded to be acutely aware of the impact of school closures. The union added that some parents will inevitably be unable to work if they are required to stay home and care for their children. "Good bosses will already have bad weather policies in place so staff know where they stand," Nowak commented. "They will also recognise that when schools are closed some parents will not be able to work."
Extended Weather Warnings Cause Widespread Disruption
The call for employer flexibility comes as the Met Office has extended its yellow weather warnings for snow and ice. These warnings now cover large parts of Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland and are in effect into Saturday, January 10th.
A specific yellow warning for snow and ice is active from midday on Friday, January 9th, until 3pm on Saturday. The forecast indicates that further snowfall is possible across northern England and Scotland, while a widespread risk of ice is expected to cause significant disruption.
Additionally, a separate yellow warning for ice affects large parts of England and Wales from Friday midday until midday on Saturday. This risk is due to partially thawed snow refreezing, accompanied by wintry showers and freezing fog. In Northern Ireland, a similar warning for snow and ice will be in force from 5pm on Friday until 11am on Saturday.
