An expert has advised employers that they may be better off allowing staff to work from home rather than struggle through inclement weather conditions to make it into the office.
Reculver Solicitors principal James Carmody said that employees should be permitted to work remotely wherever practicable and suggested it would be counter-productive to deny them the opportunity to do so.
"It would be churlish and petty for employers to refuse to pay an employee who is willing and able to work remotely," he explained. "For some employees … who cannot work remotely, the same will not apply."
With Britain currently in the grip of a lengthy cold snap, Mr Carmody added that the location in which tasks are carried out is less important than what duties are actually performed.
Earlier this year, research from the Federation of Small Businesses revealed that more than half of smaller firms felt they were prepared for winter disruption and 42 per cent had made plans for working from home.
Posted by Hayley Edwards
Is it mean of an employer to insist staff take a annual leave to cover days absent due to snow? Many people do a job that cannot be done at home – eg NHS outpatient professionals. The patients can’t get in either!! With safety a priority for any employer (should be if it’s not!)no pay or annual leave is a threat rather than support for those who would be safer staying at home.