smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

SmallBusiness.co.uk reveals why it is prudent to prepare now for ice and snow disruption.

Translation agency Applied Language Solutions has its headquarters in Saddleworth Moor in the South Pennines, so when ice and snow hit, they can bring the business to a standstill. The office, which employs 65 full-time staff, regularly suffers from weather-related absences and closures so it was vital to put a contingency plan in place.

Chief executive Gavin Wheeldon says, ‘On the occasions that our staff are unable to travel to the office, each member of staff can set up to work from home, as we supply them with paid-for broadband and laptop, VoIP phones and headsets. All they need is an internet connection to do their jobs.’

Security can be a concern with such remote working systems. Publishing company Bloomsbury deals with this problem by deploying technology that sends a one-use password to staff by SMS each time they log on. IT manager Rajan Pandya remarks, ‘It means that all of our staff, from PAs to senior managers, are able to stay productive without compromising security.’

A YouGov survey carried out after the big freeze last year found that over half of businesses (56 per cent) had staff who were either late into work or did not make it in at all. Some bosses will feel the snow makes a convenient excuse for the workshy, and they may be justified in docking pay in cases of unjustified absence, according to Sarah Forster, senior associate at Capital Law. However, she cautions, ‘Most people will do their best to struggle into work and reducing their pay for hours missed can be seen as petty and uncaring.’

Preparation is key to ensuring that a sub-zero spell doesn’t have a chilling effect on your business. Wheeldon sums up, ‘We have a well practised plan that has served us well for a number of years. It is simple enough to manage and leaves plenty of flexibility to change – subject to the weather.’

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