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Original poster

Going to work in storm

47 replies

Sundaesomedsay · 17/02/2022 22:22

I can't drive at the moment. I live in an area with a Red weather alert for tomorrow. All public transport has been cancelled. It's about a 30 minute walk away. Obviously I can't not go to work because of a storm. But I'm worrying about it quite a bit. Anyone in the same position?

OP posts:
StScholastica · 17/02/2022 22:29

We couldn't "not go into work" because of a virus either and yet millions of us stayed home.
Work isn't everything. I work in a clinic, I will go in tomrw but I know that non of my patients will turn up, neither would I want them to if it puts their life in danger.
I'm glad the schools have shut, no point risking life unnecessarily.

Phormiumjester · 17/02/2022 22:29

I think you could well have a good reason not to go in. Walking 30 mins in a danger to life scenario isn't a great idea. I take it you're SW / Wales

SwedishEdith · 17/02/2022 22:32

Depends what you do. I wouldn't contemplate going in if didn't need to.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 17/02/2022 22:32

Can you book a taxi if you have to go in? I wouldn't be walking to work during a red warning, it literally means a risk to life through flying debris.

Akire · 17/02/2022 22:33

Red alert is serious risk to life your work should have told you all to stay home unless it’s some sort essential work and even then have plans in place. Met office say do not travel unless absolutely needed. If the winds are bad as they say you will have trouble walking down road never mind risking life and limb from flying objects and falling trees. Do you imagine everyone else will just be there?

wonderstuff · 17/02/2022 22:37

Red warning is in place from 7am to 12 tomorrow (sw England and s Wales) could you go in in the afternoon only?
I wouldn’t walk in, not worth the risk.

Justkeeppedaling · 17/02/2022 22:38

What is your work? Are you a key worker?

gogohm · 17/02/2022 22:38

I'm waiting until morning to decide. I'm due at work at 9.30 in a red alert area, I will call in if I think it's too treacherous but I'm also aware that forecasters get it wrong

ninnynonny · 17/02/2022 22:39

We've been told we can work from home. I only live 2 miles away so may risk driving..we're amber so not sure how bad it will be.....

Original poster
Sundaesomedsay · 17/02/2022 22:39

I could work from home as we did for almost a year with covid anyway. My boss has said it's not his responsibility that I don't drive and that I need to find a way. I understand that but it's going to get really bad here - everything is closing tomorrow (schools, woodlands, busses, trains leisure centres etc etc).

OP posts:
Mumba0111around · 17/02/2022 22:39

In the same boat! I have a 45 minute walk to work (don’t drive, and not sure if buses are running tomorrow). However I’m in Kent, in an amber alert area (not red) so am hoping it will not be too bad and planning on heading in. Will have to see what it is like in the morning, I guess.

gogohm · 17/02/2022 22:40

I drive through the countryside including a heavily wooded area reaching right over the road, hence being concerned. It's not just lack of public transport

SwedishEdith · 17/02/2022 22:41

@Sundaesomedsay

I could work from home as we did for almost a year with covid anyway. My boss has said it's not his responsibility that I don't drive and that I need to find a way. I understand that but it's going to get really bad here - everything is closing tomorrow (schools, woodlands, busses, trains leisure centres etc etc).
Unless you actually have to be there, your boss sounds like a twat.
Original poster
Sundaesomedsay · 17/02/2022 22:47

Yes my DH says I should just message him and say I'll be in after midday. But I really don't think that will go down well. Sad DH is away until Monday or he could have taken me.

OP posts:
LivingDeadGirlUK · 17/02/2022 22:48

Second you boss sounding like a twat.

Itsmemaggie · 17/02/2022 22:50

@Sundaesomedsay

I could work from home as we did for almost a year with covid anyway. My boss has said it's not his responsibility that I don't drive and that I need to find a way. I understand that but it's going to get really bad here - everything is closing tomorrow (schools, woodlands, busses, trains leisure centres etc etc).
You not driving is nothing to do with this as people shouldn’t be driving either.
mice · 17/02/2022 22:53

Your boss is bonkers. I am taking a graveside funeral service for a baby in the morning, in a red area. The baby graves are in a wooded area but I have no choice but to be there for this grieving family and help them at this sad time even made worse by the weather.
If it is as bad as they predict in the morning stay home and go in when it improves. Your safety is more important.

Tigersonvaseline · 17/02/2022 23:02

Yes you can not just go in what a stupid bastard .. it's a massive storm. And driving isn't Vetter

Watapalava · 17/02/2022 23:05

To be fair weather can change so play be ear

Work was classed generally as essential before covid no matter what your job was

I would go in

Andacherryonthetop · 17/02/2022 23:07

It’s not even safe to drive in really high winds so your boss is an idiot for making it about you not driving. You shouldn’t be going in at all if you can wfh. Hate bosses like that!

FusionChefGeoff · 17/02/2022 23:15

There's a foreseeable risk of harm for you travelling to work.

There is a reasonably practicable solution (wfh).

I would suggest these 2 things could put your employer in hot water and difficult questions would be asked if you were indeed injured on your way to work these circumstances. Perhaps not from a criminal perspective but a civil case would be interesting.

Beachbreak2411 · 17/02/2022 23:15

I’ve got a 15 min walk to work at 7am tomorrow. In an area with a red warning right on the coast. I can’t not go in but I’m a bit worried!

wonderstuff · 17/02/2022 23:25

22 people died in the 1987 storm and 47 in the 1990 storm. If you can work from home it seems really unreasonable to ask you to go in, regardless of how you travel. Met Office rarely issues red warnings it may not be as awful as those two, but it might be.

SwedishEdith · 17/02/2022 23:44

Work was classed generally as essential before covid no matter what your job was

But where you work has been made much more flexible for many more people now.

Lysianthus · 17/02/2022 23:45

@mice

Your boss is bonkers. I am taking a graveside funeral service for a baby in the morning, in a red area. The baby graves are in a wooded area but I have no choice but to be there for this grieving family and help them at this sad time even made worse by the weather. If it is as bad as they predict in the morning stay home and go in when it improves. Your safety is more important.
I'm very sorry for their loss, but clearly you are disregarding the red warnings (loss of life) and I'm not sure that anyone would want another death, particularly attached to an already sad event.