AIBU for not understanding work rules on absence due to snow?

[Hammy02]

What are the rules on being unable to work due to the weather? Do you lose a day's pay if you can't get in to work due to the snow? What if your child's school is shut and no-one else can mind them so you can't work? Just wondering if there was a law on this or if it's up to work's discretion?

This was on the news the other day. I think you can take the option to lose a days pay or take it as annual leave.

I think legally they can make you work it up or take annual leave, but I think employers use their own discretion.

Previously dh has been paid when he can't get in but this time everyone at his work place has been told they have to take annual leave or make up the hours, regardless of their reasons for not being at work.

I am a bit annoyed because I got stranded at work (nightshift) so DH had no chance of getting to work as ds's school was shut, the trains weren't running and I had the car

As it stands he will still have to use annual leave though. I wok for the NHS and I get a days Carers Leave a year for emergencies but DH doesn't think he gets anything like that.

If your employer tells you to go home or not to come in then they have to pay you.

If you choose to go home early or not go in then you usually have to take it unpaid or as annual leave.

My employees hate it as I live 10 minutes walk from my office so always am able to make it in!

If you have no childcare, you could take it as dependency leave, but it would be unpaid.

My employer gives compassionate leave up to 2 days if your dc's school is shut, disabled workers are still paid if they can't make it. The rest can use their annual leave, flexi, lieu or work from home.

I think its dependant on your employer, not a general law as such. Ours is understanding, to a point. Last year a lot of people took the first bad day off without even trying and the people who did come in were given an extra days holiday as a thank you for making it. This year I was encouraged to stay home for a day last week as I'm pregnant but I made it in for the rest of the week (even when others who live out my way didn't bother). Ask your HR department I guess.

If your employer closes the office and tells you not to come in, they must pay you.

If you don't go in but there is work available for you, your employer doesn't have to pay you. Most employers tend to let you use annual leave days rather than not getting paid at all, or make the time up later. But their arrangements are up to them. Are you asking just in case or has this happened?

In terms of no childcare you can take emergency dependents' leave, which is unpaid.