If You Cannot Make It to Work What should You Do?

If your car is stuck in the snow, or the bus, train or tram is not running, you may be unable to get to the office or your place of work due to the adverse weather.

What is the position if you genuinely cannot get to work?

Your boss might be able to make you take unpaid leave, holiday days or work flexible hours to make up time – even if you legitimately can't make it in. But if you show you've tried and speak to them early, a reasonable boss shouldn't penalise you.

It's worth checking your contract or staff handbook, though, in case there's anything in it about extreme weather. That way you'll know if your boss is being unfair.

My boss is trying to pressure me to come in, do I have to travel?

Your employer can't make you take a journey that's not safe. That said, they don't have to pay you either.

My office/workplace is closed because of the weather, do I have to take the day as holiday?

If they've closed the office and you can't work from home, then your boss can't dock your pay or make you take annual leave. 

Can my boss make me take holiday if I can't get in?

No. Employers normally must give you at least two days' notice before they can make you take a day's holiday. But there may be wiggle room for them if you get more than the statutory minimum holiday (28 days).

Can my boss make me take unpaid leave if I can't get in?

My children's school has closed, and I have to look after them, what can I do?

You are entitled to take reasonable amounts of time off work if your childcare arrangements are unexpectedly disrupted. Although this could well be in the form of unpaid leave.

I've made it in, but my co-workers haven't – do I get anything for that?

Sadly not, but hopefully it won't go unnoticed by your boss.

They told me I must work from home/another office. Do I?

There's not a lot you can do about this - if you can work from home, or do some of your work from home, then it's reasonable for them to ask it if you can't make it into the office.

Image: ABC Snowman appears outside our office.