Snow Business or No Business

With severe snowstorms across the UK causing road closures, flight cancellations and severe train delays, many employees have given up and stayed at home this week. Over three million people failed to show up for work in the worst hit areas and with forecasts indicating the freezing conditions for most of January, the weather is causing a major headache for bosses of Britain’s SMEs.

It is estimated that businesses will lose £14billion in revenue and productivity. But how can small employers reduce their losses at a time when the economy is as icy cold as the temperature.

Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk says that whilst this scale of wintry weather may be infrequent, having a “snow plan” – a contingency plan for staff who can’t make it in - is critical.

Firstly it should be clear to all employees that they must make every effort reasonable to arrive at work – be it by taking a different route or form of transport. It’s important to ensure that employees clearly understand the rules around not showing up to work due to poor weather affecting their journey – especially around pay and leave entitlement.

However, employers also need to be flexible and compassionate, for example allowing flexi hours, especially as many parents may need to be home to look after children whose schools are closed. Working from home can be an easy alternative for many employees and can even allow some staff to work more productively. Firstly keep an eye on the forecast and if it looks like heavy snow will affect journeys the next day then encourage staff to take work home in case they are snowed in, emailing reports or in-progress documents as well as key contacts for working from home.


But if transport cancellations and safety concerns prevent an employee from turning up for consecutive working days, some simple systems can help ease the pressure on Senior executives so the work doesn’t pile up.


These few tips can help make the transition from office to home much easier:
1. Working online – work with your internet/system provider to allow individuals to access the company server remotely from a home computer. This will allow them to access company files and emails so they can still get a majority of work done.
2. Phone lines – diverting work calls to mobile or home numbers will ensure you don’t miss any important calls.
3. Set up alternative meeting systems – there a lot of online meeting and phone conferencing programmes that mean you don’t have to miss important meetings.
4. Cover plans – look at who lives within walking distance of the office and can build a skeleton office staff.
5. Job-Share – work as a team and share the load during the difficult days. It is important to acknowledge and reward those employees who have to take on extra workload during this difficult period.
6. Motivation - Encourage a team spirit by bringing in hot soups, hot chocolates. Creating a team snowman building or sledging session and use the adverse weather conditions to bond in the workplace.
7. Shift work – reduce working hours to ensure the employees who live furthest away leave early to get home before the overnight freeze.

Finally remember that the chaos that the snow brings is often short lived and with good planning in place, even bosses and company owners can enjoy some fun in the snow!