Winter of discontent
With the current Wintry weather already costing the UK around £600million a day, are your staff using the snow as an excuse to take the day off work?
Unfortunately the Met Office reports suggest that the snow is set to continue for the next 6 to 15 days. This coupled with the rapidly depleting supplies of grit is likely to mean employers will continue to face absence issues across their workforce- something which is already costing the UK around £600million a day according to the Federation of Small Businesses.
Many employers are finding that employees are using the snow as an excuse to take the day off work. Brendan Wincott, mhl’s Employment Law Compliance Officer says “We’re being inundated with calls from clients asking us if staff should be paid when they are unable to get into work due to the snow. In the absence of any express or implied agreement to remuneration for such circumstances, it’s arguable that they’re not entitled to payment if they’re unable undertake the duties which they are employed to perform”
An area of concern for employers is that a growing number of employees are using snow as an excuse not to attend work. Brendan advises, “Where a staff member is misrepresenting the snow as an obstacle preventing them from getting into work, then employers would be well advised to consider disciplinary action.”
However as a cautionary note, Brendan offers a word of warning for employers that “where parents find themselves unable to attend work due to their child’s school closures, employers are urged to be accommodating as such time off may be covered under dependant care leave. An employer who refuses could face claims for compensation before an Employment Tribunal and anyone dismissed for seeking to exercise these statutory rights could find their dismissal being found automatically unfair. As such, it’s important for employers to ensure that they’re fully familiar with the implications of refusing time off and the possible consequences of this”.
There is a balance between being fair and flexible and not allowing your staff to take advantage. If you are experiencing difficulties and want to know the best way to manage absence, then we can provide your business with specialist advice. This will mean not only can you reduce your direct absence costs, but you can also minimise any impact a reduced work force would have on your customers. Call Brendan or one of the team today on 0800 015 7541 to find out more.
