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Heading to work in red storm warning

115 replies

jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 22:33

Dd has to work in a well known UK high st sportswear store tomorrow at the height of the storm. We are on the Atlantic coast of Scotland, all schools, council offices and all non essential places are closed. Had a warning to phones saying not to travel, leave roads open for emergency vehicles etc.
Manager has asked head office to close, told no. Only 2 shops in the shopping centre are open this one and one other. Why they F are they making their staff go in when the police /government etc are saying to stay at home. What come back does she have if she says no, it's too dangerous? A tribunal? It's a permanent contract but a temporary job for her. She will need a reference and has always proved herself, never called in sick etc. I've told her not to go in as her life is worth more than selling a pair of trainers to whichever idiot goes shopping g tomorrow. All public transport cancelled so unlikely to be busy.
Any help needed to convince a teenager that sometimes you need to listen to yer mammy??

OP posts:
astl · 23/01/2025 22:34

Has she not just eaten some dodgy chicken??

jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 22:34

I kinda mean do they have a duty of care to their staff to not risk their lives to sell trainers?

OP posts:
astl · 23/01/2025 22:35

Or can she say she's unable to get in without public transport?

cmsinvestigation · 23/01/2025 22:35

The coffee shop I worked for refused to close during the pandemic, even though head office were all working from home. They closed us eventually because they couldn't get stock,

Employees are just numbers to them, they're incredibly selfish

jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 22:35

astl · 23/01/2025 22:34

Has she not just eaten some dodgy chicken??

I said that but doesn't want to/can't lie apparently..
Also suggested a breakdown/fallen tree etc. apparently a power cut no longer works due to no one apart from me using a plugged in alarm clock nowadays...

OP posts:
comedycentral · 23/01/2025 22:36

It's absolute madness, who do they think will shop there?

Ineffable23 · 23/01/2025 22:39

I would tell her to get over it and lie. Her safety isn't worth not lying.

DangerPigeon · 23/01/2025 22:40

Would she normally drive or catch public transport? I wouldn't head out in that, most accidents in storms are while people out and travelling. Can she just call in saying she doesn't feel it's safe?

hello261 · 23/01/2025 22:41

Definitely lie. Get a sick note from an online doctor if need be. There's nothing they can do about an illness.

fromthevault · 23/01/2025 22:42

Sports Direct, I assume? Bunch of exploitative bastards anyway. You're absolutely right, OP, she shouldn't be going anywhere near work tomorrow. God forbid their billionaire owner has to forfeit a few hours-worth of profit to keep their staff safe.

SauvignonBlanche · 23/01/2025 22:45

I was going to also suggest that the roads are blocked due to trees.
Chances are it will be true.

ForAzureSeal · 23/01/2025 22:45

She doesn't need to lie. She just tells them she refuses to come in when Police, Government have told people not to travel. She needs to learn early in her working life that no job is worth risking her life.

nocoolnamesleft · 23/01/2025 22:54

I'm in an amber zone, but the bad end of amber if that makes sense. I normally have a commute of less than fifteen minutes, and am still absobloodylutely dreading it. But I work in a hospital, and the patients will still need care, so don't have much choice. But to work in a sportswear shop? In the red zone? That is totally insane.

Barleysugar86 · 23/01/2025 22:58

She should absolutely say she will be unable to make it to work and cite the government advice. If I was here I'd try and get the staff to agree as one if I had their contact numbers. The store is being irresponsible opening at all when its non essential if against government advice.

JohnofWessex · 23/01/2025 23:01

Its a pity that there is no requirement for employers to have to consider not requiring employees to attend when there is an official weather warning in place

fashionqueen0123 · 23/01/2025 23:04

Sounds like the manager would be on her side so she doesn’t need to worry about it. Just don’t go in and cite the warnings. Or say no way of getting there.

DangerPigeon · 23/01/2025 23:05

If your phone lines go down overnight, tell her definitely to stay home as she won't be able to get help if she gets stuck, or check a safe way home.

Of she can't make it in and can't call in, it's just a job at a trainers shop. She's more important than that.

Hayley1256 · 23/01/2025 23:06

She just needs to cite the government advice not to travel. They won't have a leg to stand on if they try and take it further

ThatsNotMyTeen · 23/01/2025 23:10

Section 44 of the employment rights act 1996 is her friend. Look it up x

Delphiniumandlupins · 23/01/2025 23:11

How would she normally get to work? If it's public transport then she won't be able to get there. The store manager should be telling staff not to ignore the Red Alert and backing them with Head Office (who are presumably in an area not much affected by this storm).

jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 23:14

Thanks everyone, am sharing this with her. I said that they would t dare take a tribunal/case against government advice. Even if she got there ok in the morning they can't guarantee it's safe to go drive home in. She normally drives and they know this. The manager is about 20 and feels the same but won't stand up to big bosses. I'm saying no to driving. We are on the coast. The sea could very easily be on the road by 5pm!

OP posts:
jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 23:17

@wonderstuff and @ThatsNotMyTeen ** she's asking if these apply to Scotland too? 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
larklane17 · 23/01/2025 23:18

ThatsNotMyTeen · 23/01/2025 23:10

Section 44 of the employment rights act 1996 is her friend. Look it up x

I agree. Link here. See in particular s.1(A) It applies in Scotland
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/section/44

Employment Rights Act 1996

An Act to consolidate enactments relating to employment rights.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/section/44

ThatsNotMyTeen · 23/01/2025 23:20

jocktamsonsbairn · 23/01/2025 23:17

@wonderstuff and @ThatsNotMyTeen ** she's asking if these apply to Scotland too? 🤦‍♀️

Yes