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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Travel to work (Amber Weather Warning)

42 replies

ffscovid · 16/02/2022 11:19

An Amber weather warning has been issued for our area for Friday.
According to the Met Office, this means that 'there is a good chance that flying debris could result in danger to life' and that there's a risk that roads and the railway etc. could have to close.
We live rurally and have to travel through narrow lanes where fallen trees and flooding are a real possibility. It's a reasonable distance to work and not being able to get home (and also to collect children from school) is a real concern.
Would it therefore be unreasonable to expect to not have to travel to work on Friday? This is for a job that is neither 'key worker' nor customer-facing and has some clerical elements that can be done from home and the rest of the hours that can't be done remotely could be made up - either in advance by staying later today and tomorrow, or by catching up on Monday and Tuesday next week.
Would this be acceptable in your workplace as a reason to not go to work?

OP posts:

Waxonwaxoff0 · 16/02/2022 14:51

@gogohm

We have 70mph gusts currently according to the bbc but it's not actually that bad.

The forecast always tends to be worse than what it actually is.

Original poster

ffscovid · 16/02/2022 15:28

@GirlInACountrySong

I'd say be careful and don't set a precedent here

Before you know it they will be taking advantage and using assorts of reasons to stay at home. Bit of snow/ice, too hot, etc

Give em an inch..

Well yes, that was my concern

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 16/02/2022 15:34

@ffscovid

An Amber weather warning has been issued for our area for Friday. According to the Met Office, this means that 'there is a good chance that flying debris could result in danger to life' and that there's a risk that roads and the railway etc. could have to close. We live rurally and have to travel through narrow lanes where fallen trees and flooding are a real possibility. It's a reasonable distance to work and not being able to get home (and also to collect children from school) is a real concern. Would it therefore be unreasonable to expect to not have to travel to work on Friday? This is for a job that is neither 'key worker' nor customer-facing and has some clerical elements that can be done from home and the rest of the hours that can't be done remotely could be made up - either in advance by staying later today and tomorrow, or by catching up on Monday and Tuesday next week. Would this be acceptable in your workplace as a reason to not go to work?

I'd expect to go to work unless roads are flooded or cut off.

Crunchymum · 16/02/2022 15:34

I am not sure to be honest.

As already pointed out, you don't want to set a precedent?

Also what if some people don't want to / aren't able to make up the time as you suggest?

Is there no scope for actually making it a WFH day?

Could you ask if anyone wants to take a days leave? (unlikely, but some people may love a last minute day at home to relax)

You sound like a thoughtful employer and ultimately if it is going to be as bad as they reckon then finding a way to keep your staff at some seems like the sensible option.

I am not in the amber zone but I am making plans to not go out on Friday.

MinnieJackson · 16/02/2022 15:34

Were expected to upgrade to red warning on Friday (West mids) we've already got some trees down, tiles off neighbours roof and two fence panels down

Crunchymum · 16/02/2022 15:35

Actually I take that back, the warnings have moved from yellow to amber for us now. We won't be going out.

FuzzyPuffling · 16/02/2022 15:39

@Unhomme

Where are these 100mph winds being forecast?

North coast of Cornwall has 90-100mph gusts forecast.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 16/02/2022 15:48

I'm flying back from Spain Friday. Not looking forward to landing in the 70mph plus winds 😭

MorningStarling · 16/02/2022 15:54

You should still go in if it's only an amber warning, amber warnings happen all the time. If you get a red warning that might be different, the Met office says you should avoid travel then.

I mean, if it's OK for people to be out and about while Covid is still prevalent, then a bit of wind isn't anything to worry about. More people will catch Covid and die from it on Friday than will die from the weather.

Justanotherobserver · 16/02/2022 15:58

I keep checking the forecast as I'm due to be working outside in the high Cotswolds on Friday. 20 mile drive on country roads. I'm generally pretty tough but I'm not feeling great about it, tbh.

ToooOldForThis · 16/02/2022 16:00

Your kids will all be going to school I'd imagine!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 16/02/2022 16:02

@ToooOldForThis

Your kids will all be going to school I'd imagine!

Hmm - last time we had warnings like this, none of the school buses were running due and most of our local schools closed.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 16/02/2022 16:24

@ToooOldForThis

Your kids will all be going to school I'd imagine!

Hope so!

FuzzyPuffling · 16/02/2022 16:25

And 30ft waves here too. That's big!

bumblingbovine49 · 16/02/2022 17:14

Why not have a plan that if the warning turns red, then people can work from.home . Let people know that so if they wake on Friday morning and the warning is red they can work from home

GirlInACountrySong · 16/02/2022 18:53

Half term here so no school!

SirChenjins · 16/02/2022 19:00

We have heavy snow forecast for Friday and the storm hit earlier this afternoon. I said to the team to head home around 4 this afternoon and to take work home with them tomorrow in case the roads are too bad on Friday morning. I’m responsible for my team’s safety and wouldn’t want them involved in an accident that results in injury or worse (or requires time off work, thereby putting additional pressure on the team) so I take the view that WFH is a sensible approach. They all work hard, they’re adults, they adapted fantastically to the ever changing demands of the last 2 years - I’m lucky to have them.

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