ACAS: Prepare for winter
Dec 05 2011
It is advisable for SMEs to be mindful of the ramifications of cold weather
Employers must be prepared for the HR impact of adverse weather conditions as winter closes in, says workplace experts ACAS.
Last year saw heavy snowfall leading to a rise in staff absence as workers struggled to make it to work.
Employees are not automatically entitled to pay if unable to get to work because of bad weather, and ACAS advises companies to remember that employees need to know what managers expect from them in terms of getting in to the office.
The organisation also recommends being flexible where possible, advocating temporary alterations of working hours to minimise disruptions and considering letting employees work from home.
Winter colds and flu mean an increase in workers calling in sick, and employers should ensure workers know when they have to contact work on the first day of sickness and should routinely hold back to work interviews when staff return, adds ACAS.
Employers are also advised to be diligent about the flurry of holiday requests around Christmas and New Year. When public holidays in the Christmas and New Year period fall on Saturdays and Sundays, alternative week days are declared public holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to paid leave for public holidays.
Most workers, whether part-time or full-time, are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave. Additional annual leave may be agreed as part of a worker's contract.
ACAS guidance editor Adrian Wakeling says, ‘Winter often brings dilemmas for employers – adverse weather conditions can mean staff shortages due to travel disruption, and seasonal celebrations often result in a stampede to book annual leave.
‘We all know it’s going to happen but how many of us plan in advance? Our advice is: don’t get caught cold – have clear policies around issues such as getting to work and taking leave requests and communicate those to staff now.’
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