date: Thursday 29 January 2015

embargo: 00:01hrs Friday 30 January

Don’t punish workers for bad weather, TUC tells employers

As workers struggle back into work following the recent snowstorms, the TUC today (Friday) called on employers not to punish staff who have been unable to make it in because of the bad weather.

The TUC says bosses must not dock pay or force workers to take holiday if they have been prevented from getting to work by hazardous conditions or if, for example, their child’s school has closed. 

While workers should make every reasonable effort to get into work, the TUC says that staff should not be pressurised into to travelling if it is unsafe to do so.

The TUC says employers should contact staff to advise them about getting into work. They should also take care that workers do not get trapped at work or put at risk if the weather gets worse. Workers should also let their employers know if they are not able to make it into work.

For those struggling with their commute, working from home is a useful alternative as long as it is technically feasible to do so, says the TUC.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Lee Barron, said: “Across the region, people have been braving the elements to get into work. Employers and workers must keep each other informed as to whether it’s safe, or even possible, to commute to and from work.

“Scrooge bosses that dock pay and take away holiday will add to their business woes by creating resentment among staff. Workers who have been prevented from working through no fault of their own should not have to foot the bill for the bad weather conditions.

“Instead we urge all employers to look after their staff during these adverse weather conditions and to be flexible, especially if employees need to work from home if their children’s school has closed.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Lee Barron: Midlands TUC Regional Secreatry,  T: 0121 236 4454   M: 07919102472  E: lbarron@tuc.org.uk
Rob Johsnton: Midlands TUC Policy and Campaigns Officer,   T: 0121 236 4454   M:  07879497291 E: rjohnston@tuc.org.uk