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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:

EezyOozy · 17/02/2022 23:45

Surely driving would also be dangerous ? If it's a red "risk to life" storm you be working from home.

EezyOozy · 17/02/2022 23:47

We were in a red area for storm Arwen: trees and power lines falling EVERYWHERE, total devestation and absolute madness to go out in it.

Whatinthelord · 17/02/2022 23:49

If I were you I’d communicate via email/text with your boss. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s reluctant to tell you you have to come in in writing.

I’d hold my ground and stay home to work.

Beecham · 17/02/2022 23:53

Is your boss going in tomorrow? He sounds like a twat. On the other hand, a 30min walk is a short commute so I'd probably just walk it.

Aaahhhbump · 18/02/2022 00:02

Not in a red warning this time but have been previously. What takes you 30 minutes will take you two hours. If you have an accident you will end up off anyway and potentially for longer than a day if you break something.

If the worst should happen, and with it being a red warning it could, you'll not have to worry about work again and your boss will recruit your replacement in the next 6 weeks but what will your family do?

RedToothBrush · 18/02/2022 00:09

@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).

I am willing to bet that your boss will rethink this come the morning and looking out the door.

Obviously I can't not go to work because of a storm.

Unless you are an essential worker (not key worker) you do not have to risk your life to go to work.

The red warning is in force because they are expecting brick and tiles and the like to be flying through the air due to the wind and there being a real danger it could hit someone.

These are 90 mph + winds - during morning rush house. Walking my not be possible even if you are willing to try. You are unlikely to to be able to get a taxi. Roads are likely to be blocked by various things even if you do drive.

Don't be a dick and attempt it. Just work from home. Your dick of a boss will come round to the idea in the next 8 or 9 hours...

Lou98 · 18/02/2022 00:12

Unless your job is essential for you being there in person (which I'm assuming it isn't since you worked from home during lockdown) then personally I don't think it's worth the risk.

Wait and decide in the morning, see how bad it is and if you can't make it in phone and tell them, don't ask just tell them you won't be there.

Be prepared though that it will most likely be a day unpaid, unless they're telling you you can't come in they don't need to pay you

Lou98 · 18/02/2022 00:13

Just to add obviously if you work from home then you would be paid but it sounds like they're not giving you that option

forcedfun · 18/02/2022 00:20

Your boss is a jerk.
Is it a small organisation or will HR/senior leadership perhaps give a different steer?

I have messaged all my team to say to work from home and we are only in the amber area

Fifipop185 · 18/02/2022 00:24

I'm already worrying about DH's day tomorrow. He is in the funeral industry and has a service to conduct tomorrow in a woodland cemetery. In his job, he can't just not go to work and funerals are rarely cancelled despite the bad weather.
My anxiety is playing up at the moment which isn't helping, I'll be glad when he's safely home tomorrow.

StScholastica · 18/02/2022 00:25

I would agree that your boss is a "twat" but I don't like using misogynistic language, so I will call him a dick/cock/massive bellend instead.

LovelyYellowLabrador · 18/02/2022 00:52

Pretend something hot you on the head on your walk to work so you can’t go in for a few days

LovelyYellowLabrador · 18/02/2022 00:52

Hit

mice · 18/02/2022 07:11

Imagine the knock on effect if all funerals were cancelled today. It isn't as simple as we can just do them tomorrow, it would be another few weeks wait for these already grieving families.we may have to adapt plans but as always we will continue ue to try and do our very best under difficult circumstances.

daisypond · 18/02/2022 07:18

We are in a red area. My DD works in a nursery and has gone to work as usual. Normally the nursery is outside but today they are bringing it inside.

DelurkingAJ · 18/02/2022 07:25

Madness. My work have closed all offices and told us firmly to stay home and we’re not even in the SW!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 18/02/2022 07:39

I'm off to work and DS off to school, we are an amber zone, not sounding too bad out there yet, the worst of it is supposed to hit us about midday so we'll be indoors by then.

Mabelface · 18/02/2022 07:52

I'm staying home as there are far fewer trains and no way am I risking not being able to get home. I work better from home anyway, so work can just suck it up.

GeneLovesJezebel · 18/02/2022 07:54

If you’re in a red area I do t think you should be taking a 30 minute walk both ways in it.

waltzingparrot · 18/02/2022 08:09

I'd send him an email to say you tried setting off but the wind is so strong it blew you over. You'll try again later if the wind abates. Meanwhile, you'll work from home.

RedToothBrush · 18/02/2022 09:04

I'd love to be your boss if he has put 'be in work' in writing, and godforbid something did happen to you with a red warning in place.

Watapalava · 18/02/2022 09:34

Work is essential

Non essential travel is different

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